By The Hays Daily News,  8/13/2009

STOCKTON -- Rooks County recently received preliminary notification of a grant that will fund the design phase of the new Rooks County Airport.

The grant is expected to be worth $392,801, with local entities coming up with a 5 percent local match on the money.

"We're encouraged by this," said Roger Hrabe, Rooks County Economic Development Director. "This is a big step in the right direction for us because it shows that they're committed to this project."

The grant will come through the Federal Aviation Administration. Hrabe said the federal money will fund the design of the primary runway and possibly any of the related costs.

With the receipt of the new grant, Hrabe said he hopes the project still is on schedule to be finished by 2013 or sooner.