ROCKFORD, IL-The Rockford Area Economic Development Council haslaunched a full-scale effort to attract an 85,000-square-footflying school to the city’s airport. Embry-Riddle AeronauticalUniversity is choosing between this city, Houston and Los Angelesfor its third campus, at a reported $35 million cost.

The council has made attracting the school its number onepriority, including creating a special Web site, a petition drive,and lobbying politicians and local community leaders. The WinnebagoCounty Board will consider a resolution today to give $25,000 fromits landfill revenue to the council for the effort.

The university, which began in Cincinnati but is now based inDaytona Beach, FL is considered the country’s most prestigiousflight school. The school is the leading producer of air trafficcontrollers and US Air Force cadets. Besides Florida, the schoolhas another campus in Prescott, AZ.