The new defense bill may bring more business and people to the Rock Island Arsenal. That's the goal of a key provision sponsored by Congresswoman Cheri Bustos from East Moline, to require the military to first use space at existing bases and facilities before going elsewhere.
Tuesday she toured one of the buildings on Arsenal Island that's been vacant for six years
"As you saw on the tour, you go to the second floor of that building and it's move-in ready. Even on the first floor, there's not a whole lot of work that needs to be done - no walls need to be torn down, probably a little paint needs to be applied. But really you've got a building where 700 jobs could go and it's all ready to go."
The building was last used by TACOM before it moved to the Detroit area in 2011, and Arsenal officials say it has 165,000 square feet, on three floors, that could be used by new tenants - either government agencies or private companies.
The defense authorization bill has been approved by both the House and Senate and goes next to the president for his signature.
