Land banks are created to acquire, manage, maintain, and repurpose vacant, abandoned, and foreclosed properties. They are established by a city ordinance and governed by a board appointed by the city council. Land banks are used to improve the appearance of properties and restore them to a functional, blight-free state. The land bank board can choose what properties to obtain and often acquires them either by donation or tax sale.The board then chooses who to sell these properties back to with the hopes that they will be returned to productive use. As of today, the cities of Burr Oak, Esbon, Formoso, Jewell, and Mankato have established land banks.