House Appropriations Committee tables bill seeking $2.25 million for regional jail

A bill seeking $2.25 million from the state to help Brown County with the purchase of a vacant industrial building in Aberdeen has essentially died for lack of action.

Brown County commissioners are considering the $4.5 million purchase of the Hub City Inc. building in the Aberdeen industrial park to repurpose it for a regional jail. The Aberdeen Development Corp. is currently purchasing the building and intends to place it on the open market by April 1.

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During testimony about House Bill 1288, Brown County Commissioner Mike Wiese said the county has a limited window of opportunity to purchase the building before it is made available to the public.