State officials have selected Laurel to build a new 32-bed state mental health facility for eastern Montana.

The Montana Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday that the state's Office of Budget and Program Planning had accepted the plan, which was also developed by the state Board of Investments.

"Laurel provides access to a critical health care workforce and infrastructure necessary to ensure the facility's success. Laurel's geographic location is ideally situated for improving access and transportation logistics for patients and their families, staff, and law enforcement across central and eastern Montana," DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton said in a written statement.

Click to read this letter explaining the decision .

The $26.5 million facility was approved by the

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