The Junction City-Geary County Economic Development Commission has voted to support the re-opening of a former rock quarry in Geary County.

Jim Didas wants to reopen a rock quarry used during the construction of the Milford Lake spillway in the 1960′s.   He wants to use the stone from the quarry site owned by Scott Johnson for construction projects on Fort Riley.

Didas spoke to the EDC Thursday morning, and the commission voted to support the jobs creation that re-opening the quarry would bring. However the quarry must meet state and county regulations according to Susan Jagerson, EDC Specialist. “The EDC voted to support the creation of jobs through the quarry if all of the state and county regulations are met for opening the quarry.”

County residents who live around the quarry are opposed to reopening it. At last months Junction City-Geary County Metropolitan Planning Commission meeting, neighbors cited concern about potential impact of blasting on their water wells.

The MPC tabled the discussion until Thursday night’s meeting. A public hearing to consider a request for a conditional use permit for the quarry is on the  MPC agenda. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building.