Vision 2012 Leadership Class completed

It was a fun night once again on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 as alumni, friends, and family from the Rooks County Vision Leadership program welcomed 11 new members to their ranks at a celebration at Rooks County Golf Club.

Recognized for their participation in this year’s program were: Butch Post, Jessi Royer, Gail Dunbar, Frank Post, Sandy Benoit, Jaci Benoit, Lizzie Benoit, Helen Acheson, Alan Dinkel, Suzie Lidstrom, and Clint Lidstrom.

The Vision Leadership program is directed by Rooks County Economic Development Director Roger Hrabe, and is supported by the Economic Development Office and the Plainville Community Foundation.  The program seeks to help active members of the community become more effective in moving groups to performance.  Other points of emphasis are learning styles, vision, listening, collaboration and facilitating from the chair.

At the graduation, the leadership class members and several of the alumni talked about some of their class projects, some of which have been going on for years.  "The purpose of the class project is to do something that will make a positive impact on the community," said Roger Hrabe.  "We have now had over 90 people go through the leadership program since 2004, and all the projects have made a difference, and some continue to make a difference even years after they were first started."

If anyone is interested in participating in the 2013 Vision class, or would just like to know more about leadership activities, contact Economic Development Director Roger Hrabe at 785-425-6881 or e-mail at rooksed@ruraltel.net.

Gov. Sam Brownback dedicates new airport

(Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012) The day started out slow due to the low clouds and fog restricting flights in, but by 10:30 a.m. the grand opening/dedication of the new Rooks County Regional Airport was well underway.

First in were the EAA group offering free flights for youngsters, and the day ended with the first ever flight in from a Learjet with Governor Sam Brownback on board.

Other highlights for the day included former Plainville resident Robert Taylor flying in a Phenom 300 jet, and Nancy (Hancock) Cullen flying in the red Aircoupe that was based at the Plainville Airport over 30 years ago by her dad, Paul Hancock.

The Rooks County Airport is the first new airport built in Kansas since 1989.

Governor to attend airport grand opening

After several months of working out the kinks of opening a new airport, the Rooks County Airport Commission is announcing their plans for a a grand opening celebration on Saturday, September 29. 

The grand opening will start at noon with fly-ins, food, and displays.  At 2:00 p.m., Governor Sam Brownback is scheduled to fly in and give a short talk.  Other dignitaries, including Sen. Jerry Moran, FAA and KDOT officials, and local government officials are all tentatively planning to attend.

The detailed schedule will be posted online at www.rookscounty.net and www.rookscountyairport.com when it is available.

New Rooks Co. Regional Airport officially opens

Rooks County Regional Airport officially opens

After over eight years of planning, developing, and construction, the new Rooks County Regional Airport officially opened on April 5, 2012.  It is the first new airport built in Kansas since 1989. The new airport replaces two low-use grass airstrips in the cities of Plainville and Stockton with a paved runway on newly acquired property in between.

The $6 million project was a cooperative effort between Rooks County and the two cities to stimulate future growth and development in the area, explains county economic development director Roger Hrabe. "We wanted to be at the forefront, not sitting back wishing we had done something," Hrabe explains.

The new airport was financed with Airport Improvement Program dollars and local matching funds. A county-appointed airport commission oversees its management and operations.

Officials expect the airport's 5,000-foot paved runway to eventually make the area more attractive to new business opportunities, but they also have more immediate returns in mind. "In the short term, we're thinking about our existing businesses and meeting their needs," says Hrabe.

According to Hrabe, momentum for expanding aviation in the region began in 2004. That's when the county contracted H.W. Lochner to update the Airport Layout Plan and Airport Master Plan for existing airports in Plainville and Stockton, and to complete a site selection study for the new Rooks County Regional Airport.

The site was eventually selected that would support the entire county and be easily accessible for the hospital.  "Rooks County has never had the capability of supporting fixed-wing Life Watch flights" Hrabe said.   "Now we will have that ability."

The Rooks County Airport Commission is now working on a fuel facility that is due to be installed this summer.  The commission received a KDOT grant to cover 80% of the cost.  Several hangars are already in the beginning stages, and more are planned for later. 

Groundbreaking for Stockton Estates Apartments

Although dirt and foundation work has already begun on the Stockton Estate Apartments, the official groundbreaking ceremony for the faciliyt took place on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. Present for the ceremony were Stockton Estates builder Wes Bainter, and his daughter Dr. Raquelle Bainter, as well as other officials, dignitaries, and residents of Stockton and Rooks County.

This new senior independent living complex is scheduled for completion by Winter 2011. The complex will contain 8 apartments with attached private garages. Located at 206 S. 2nd, Stockton Estates will be positioned ideally near the business district and directly adjacent to the new medical clinic that is also under construction.

Groundbreaking held for new Stockton Medical Clinic

A new medical clinic for the city of Stockton is soon to become a reality. A formal groundbreaking was held on January 19, 2011 at the new site located on the 400 block of Main. Weather permitting, the clinic is slated to be finished in the fall of 2011.

The ultimate goal of the clinic is to provide better access to health care for the residents in the northern part of the county. "Community members and hospital administration and staff saw a need to build a new clinic where people had the opportunity to receive the care they deserve close to home" said Kathy Ramsay, director of the Rooks County Healthcare Foundation. The Foundation will be responsible for maintenance of the building and is currently raising the money for construction.

The foundation has collected a total of about $834,000 for the project and is continuing its efforts.

2010 Vision Leadership Class celebrates graduation

The largest Rooks County Vision Leadership class to date celebrated the end of this year's leadership program on the evening of Wednesday, December 15 at Cedar Links Country Club. Fourteen class graduates gathered with nearly 40 other alumni and family members to mark the occasion.

For a full story, go to www.rookscounty.net/2010_leadership.htm.