The City of Rochelle held a groundbreaking to expand its airport.
On Thursday, October 17, 2013 council members, Illinois Department of Transportation representatives, and other onlookers were at the City of Rochelle Municipal Airport Koritz Field to participate in the groundbreaking for its expansion.
A hard surface runway was built in the 1960s at Schultz Field, later renamed to Koritz Field. In the late 80s that runway was lengthened and widened. Around 2008 the City of Rochelle, the Illinois Division of Aeronautics, the Federal Aviation Administration, local land owners, and city officials purchased land to extend the runway even more.
City officials say the extra length will allow industries in the city to use the Rochelle Municipal airport instead of neighboring ones.
“The City of Rochelle has always been an innovative community and the airport runway extension is another example of the infrastructure assets that City has invested to further grow the local economy,” said Mayor Chet Olson.
The $1.5 million project will allow larger jet aircraft to use the airport. It was mostly funded by discretionary money from the State of Illinois, and 10-percent was funded by the city.
