Knoxville’s VA campus redevelopment project will not receive state funding after a decision was made in the legislature to not pass a bill with amended language. The Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund was created three years ago, which cities and counties can apply for to receive funding on infrastructure projects.

According to County Lobbyist Kelly Meyers, she and Board of Supervisors Chair Mark Raymie held meetings with leaders at the state capitol in an effort to adjust language in the bill. The change would allow funding to be given to a county who owned land previously owned by the federal government. Meyers said she and Raymie received positive feedback on their requests.

As an appropriations bill, this was not addressed until near the end of the legislative session. When the house bill was proposed, the proposed language which would allow Marion County to receive funding was not included, but Meyers remained hopeful that it would be amended by the Senate. The bill ultimately did not pass, and Meyers cited House leadership hesitancy as the main cause.