Taxes, jobs and housing: Appleton has some other questions about the prison reopening under federal control

APPLETON, Minn. — While protesters continue to raise moral objections over the pending use of a local prison to detain immigrants, public officials and residents are grappling with practical concerns related to the facility’s reopening.

They want to recoup property taxes in this western Minnesota town, build up housing stock and make sure the city reaps economic benefits associated with the Trump administration’s use of the Prairie Correctional Facility.

Jobs and revenue from the prison, which has been closed since 2010, will be a “significant benefit to our residents and local economy, both of which have faced challenges since the facility closed 16 years ago,” the city of Appleton said in a statement.

Brian Wojtalewicz heard this sentiment from elected officials in a packed town hall meeting last week at Appleton’s VFW. The local attorney thought they were overlooking something, so he stood up to ask a que...