(Radio Iowa) – Keokuk is getting a two-million dollar federal grant to clean up an abandoned industrial site, with plans in the works to redevelop the land. The former Elkem-Carbide plant has been vacant for more than 16 years and is contaminated with a variety of toxins. As the 80-acre site gets sanitized, Keokuk Mayor Kathie Mahoney says the city will look to attract businesses there. “It’s going to cleanup a brownfield area that we’ve needed to get cleaned up,” Mahoney says, “and it’s going to put some hope and promise in the city of Keokuk for a better, cleaner place.”

The site will be divided into six sections. Four will be developed for business and industry. The city will rent one parcel to Alliant Energy for a solar field. The sixth section, due to its topography, will be developed into a nature and recreation area.