Montgomery County Asks For Input From Residents On Proposed Airport In Horsham

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - The Montgomery County Commissioners will hold a special meeting Wednesday morning in Norristown to give people a chance to air their views for and against keeping an airfield at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station.

The county wants input from all interested parties before deciding whether to officially join the request of the Bucks County Airport Authority to operate a general aviation airport at Willow Grove.

"This is not a decision that the county will be making, but we are part of the process here and we are trying to make sure we give everybody a chance to be part of it as well," says Commissioner Joe Hoeffel.

General aviation would be more for corporate jets, not scheduled passenger or cargo service. Hoeffel says a business airport could benefit the area's economy, but he wants to hear more before making a decision.

"If they bring jobs and if they create growth and opportunity then I'm very interested," Hoeffel says.

Residents in the Horsham area have been lining up on both sides of the volatile issue. Both sides have been putting out information about what an airport would mean to the nearly 900 acres of land that will become available when the military moves out.

Reported by Suburban Bureau Chief Brad Segall, KYW Newsradio 1060