Voters approve Oberlin runway expansion

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OBERLIN, Kan. (AP) -- Oberlin residents have voted to allow the city to move ahead with an effort to expand its runway, but planes won't be landing at the site anytime soon.

In a special mail election, Oberlin residents voted 485-282 to approve the runway expansion. The election was necessary after some Oberlin residents petitioned the city council to stop work on the airport project.

Connie Grafel, marketing director for the Oberlin-Decatur Area Economic Development Corp., says the outcome is an important vote of confidence for the runway effort.

But the money isn't there yet to expand the runway to 7,000 feet. And to obtain the money, the city must first prove that it needs a longer runway to allow corporate jets to land in the area.

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Information from: The Hays Daily News, http://www.hdnews.net