Noon Rotarians Learn About Airport Expansion Project

(FROM LEFT: EFFINGHAM COUNTY AIRPORT COMMISSION CHAIRMAN TONY SIEMER, NOON ROTARY WEEKLY STUDENT GUEST CAMDEN RADDATZ, AND EFFINGHAM COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT SUPERINTENDENT AND COUNTY ENGINEER GREG KOESTER)

Effingham Noon Rotarians heard more about the Effingham County Regional Airport at their meeting on March 6.

Airport Commission Chairman and longtime Noon Rotarian Tony Siemer was the program chairman. Siemer with County Engineer and Airport Superintendent Greg Koester shared about the airport's history. They also spoke about the upcoming extension of the east-west runway at the airport to 6,000 feet. The 900-foot extension will be paired with an extension of the taxiway to the end of the runway. The project is expected to cost $5 million with 90% of the cost coming from the State, and is expected to be completed by year's end.

The Rotary weekly student guest was Camden Raddatz, the son of Jim and Tara Raddatz and a senior at Effingham High School. Camden has been active at EHS in football, baseball, National Honor Society, Pep Club, CEO and Best Buddies. He has volunteered at the FISH Thanksgiving Meal and Christmas Store, and had volunteered for the Salvation Army and EPC. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing and playing his guitar. He is headed to Kaskaskia College to study Business and play baseball, then transfer to a four-year school. He also runs two businesses.