(KAIR)--A great opportunity for the community.

That's the basis behind the message delivered Monday by State Representative Dr. John Eplee, during a town hall meeting focused on Atchison's planned STAR Bond project. “It's a fantastic opportunity that the state affords us, that I don't think we should pass up,” Eplee told those in attendance. “It's a very positive thing for our community and we're very fortunate.”

Eplee joined City Finance Director and Interim City Manager Becky Berger in explaining the ins and outs of the proposal.

The town hall included questions about the plan from those in attendance, which included city and county leaders, along with members of the general public.

If approved by the City Commission, the STAR Bonds will finance an aviation museum and a shelter for the Atchison Farmer’s Market. The museum will showcase Muriel, the last remaining 1935 Lockheed Electra-10E aircraft in the world, similar to the one flown by famed aviatrix, and Atchison native, Amelia Earhart.

The Farmer’s Market shelter will provide an enhanced and improved space to host a variety of agritourism related ventures and attractions, retail and entertainment venues.

A STAR bond district was approved in June of this year by the Atchison City Commission and the Kansas Secretary of Commerce.

It includes the Amelia Earhart Airport and part of downtown Atchison, including the Farmers Market, Holiday Inn Express, and the corner of 10th and Main where the new Taco Bell restaurant is being built.

Sales tax generated from that designated district is used to pay off the bonds, which  are solely supported by the increase in revenue from the STAR Bond District.

Utilizing STAR Bonds enables Atchison to receive the State’s 6.5% sales tax with the City’s 1% general sales tax to finance the community projects.

The city plans to issue nearly $2 million in STAR bonds for the funding of the projects.

An exact timeline for when that will happen is not yet determined.