(l to r) Craig Rost, Jim Clayton, Matt Difanis, Julie Roth, Stefanie Pratt, Neil Malone, Max Mitchell, Linda Green and Jeffrey Barkstall.

Representatives of the Champaign County Association of REALTORS® (CCAR) and the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) presented a $5,000 check to Craig Rost, executive director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation during a ceremony at University of Illinois Willard Airport Thursday.

The money – an NAR Smart Growth Grant – will help pay for an economic impact study to find ways to increase passenger numbers and enhance the overall experience of travelers who use the airport.

Those in attendance included: IAR local Government Affairs Director Neil Malone, IAR Treasurer Matt Difanis (also 2016 Chair of CCAR Governmental Affairs Committee), CCAR President Stefanie Pratt, CCAR Association Executive Linda Green, CCAR Past President Jeffrey Barksdale, CCAR Secretary/Treasurer Max McComb, 2016 CCAR Vice Chair of Governmental Affairs Committee Julie Roth and 2015 CCAR Chair Governmental Affairs Committee Max Mitchell. Several other directors and members of the Governmental Affairs Committee were in attendance.

The presentation was made as the airport welcomed new director Gene Cossey.