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Airport expansion tops lottery wish list By PETER WONG Jackson County commissioners voted Monday to ask for state and federal grants for a variety of economic development projects, including potential expansion of the Medford airport and a community center for the Applegate Valley. The commissioners approved a short shopping list for state lottery proceeds for regional projects. They also approved a much longer list for federal grants to communities affected by reduced logging in the Northwest's federal forests. Leading the short list for state lottery proceeds from the Department of Economic and Community Development was a request for $100,000, matched by $165,000 from local sources, for a study of future runway needs at Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport. "The airport is more of a regional facility," Commissioner Sue Kupillas said. Mike Burrill of Medford, president of Burrill Resources and a principal in Ore-Cal Trade Corp., said the study would determine future improvements needed for the runway to handle larger cargo planes from overseas. The study also would project potential income for the county from the additional air traffic generated. Ore-Cal Trade Corp. manages Medford's foreign-trade zone. The airport's main runway already is being lengthened from 6,700 to 8,800 feet to accommodate larger cargo and passenger planes. A future extension of the runway to 11,000 or 12,000 feet is likely to require land purchases and road relocations. The county's other priorities for lottery proceeds from the regional investment fund: Burns Park, White City: $25,000, matched by $25,000 from local government and $25,000 from private sources, for a water fountain that children can play in during summers. Burns Park is the only community park in White City, which would be the county's fourth largest city if it were incorporated. Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. (SOREDI): $20,400, matched by $14,600 from other sources, including $300 each from Jackson and Josephine counties, for a computer model for regional economic forecasting and policy analyses. Commissioners also endorsed a longer shopping list for a portion of federal grants that are available to communities affected by reduced logging in the Northwest's federal forests. Jackson County's list consists of 15 public works projects totaling $8.3 million, $4.8 million of which would come from federal grants, and 15 other proposals totaling $1.7 million, $800,000 of which would come from federal grants. The top five public works projects were: Applegate Valley community center, $300,000 requested of $750,000 cost. Garfield Avenue reconstruction between King's Highway and Peach Street in south Medford, $1.1 million requested of $2.2 million cost. Rogue River water storage improvements, $750,000 requested of $1.1 million cost. Shady Cove police office, $70,000 requested of $155,000 cost. Jacksonville community center, $560,000 requested of $600,000 cost. Kupillas said the number of projects funded hinges on the amount that Congress sets aside for the Northwest. But she said the amount requested statewide is about $400 million. "The amount is not nearly as much as what is on these lists, so that is why projects are listed in order," she said. "Some of the money comes in different pots, but we realize all will not be funded." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA