A budget amendment passed by the Iowa House of Representatives could help Iowa communities use state funds to redevelop land and buildings that were abandoned by the federal government, including areas like the Knoxville VA. State Representative Brooke Boden tells KNIA News previously, state funds were only available for buildings the State of Iowa had abandoned.

“Prior to the amendment the budget only allowed for abandoned sites and projects to receive any grant funds if it was abandoned by the state, and this amendment expands that to federal buildings too. There are a few of these in the state, not just in Knoxville, and so this would allow communities be able to access those funds to help revitalize those communities and help the economy.”

Boden said the amendment isn’t going to fully fix the problems of communities that have to deal with abandoned buildings and sites, but will help relieve the financial burden put on cities and counties who have to pay for it.