City and county officials met with U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Monday to discuss the planned airport expansion and how it ties in with health care in the wake of Mercy Hospital Fort Scott’s announcement to close on Dec. 31.
Moran toured the Fort Scott Municipal Airport, then went into a closed-door meeting with local officials and leaders of businesses that use the airport. Moran spoke to the Tribune following the meeting.
He said Monday’s visit was a result of a town hall meeting held in August in Fort Scott, when one issue raised was the airport.
“Folks in this community, particularly the Chamber and the city, wanted to make certain I saw what it is they have here and that I understood what they wanted,” Moran said. He said what stands out is Fort Scott has a business community that, with the ability to utilize the airport, would have an opportunity to remain in Fort Scott and grow.
He said he met with the Central Region of the FAA in Kansas City Monday morning so he could better understand and be of more help to Fort Scott in it’s effort to improve the airport.
(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)