Article from Daily Announcer Newspaper:

Keene City announces Airport Plans
Keene, CA
    On Tuesday, city officials announced plans to research building a new airport due west of the city and its residential area. Officials have already enlisted local agencies to compile surveys, research, and other evidence to support or refute the area west of Keene for use as an airport. Of about 1,007 square kilometers of undeveloped countryside, a rectangular region about 20,000 by 12,900 feet will be converted from its natural state to paved airstrip, complete with hangars and terminals for commercial planes, airliners, and cargo planes. Some community members are abuzz with ideas about how adding an airport will improve the community, while others vehemently protest against it.
    Mayor Susanne Ashby, in defense of the proposed development said, "Air travel is expected to more than double during the next 25 years. Having air transportation as a local resource will provide us substantial advantages as a community."
     According to the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970, a public hearing will be held to enable community members the opportunity to (1) hear about benefits of airport development in nearby communities, (2) identify commercial reliance on air travel, (3) identify potential airport's role in regional and national air travel, (4) review plans to accommodate environmental and development issues, and (5) determine the effect adding or not adding an airport will have on community growth and economy. This public hearing is expected to take place before the end of the month.