U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (at podium) was joined by Jacksonville Transportation Authority Chairman Michael Cavendish and Mayor Alvin Brown Wednesday at the Duval County Veterans Memorial Wall for the announcement that JTA will receive a $1.9 million federal grant for the creation of a transportation resource center to serve the needs of former military personnel. It’s one of 55 grants awarded nationwide for a total of $35 million. LaHood said Jacksonville was chosen for the grant because it has a good public transportation program and because “veterans are welcomed back with good opportunities for health care, job training and employment.” The center will be what he called a “one-call or one-click stop” for veterans and other disabled people who need convenient and affordable transportation to health care facilities or for employment reasons. “This shows the federal government is paying attention to what we’re doing in Jacksonville. By helping our veterans have access to transportation, we can expand their ability to get back to work,” said Brown.