MINERAL CO 

B6ard·of 

_n MMISSIONERS 

JAMES ESSENPREIS, Cbairman 

NANCY BLACK, Vice Chairman 

Jt..:RJUE TIPTON, Member 

CHERRIE G•:ORGE, Clerk oftbe Board 

June 7, 2012 

Dear: Aloha Ley, Associate Director, Small Community Program, 

United States Department of Transportation 

GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE TOWNS OF 

HAWTIIORNE, WALKER LAKE, LUNING 

ANDMINA 

LIQUOR BOARU ANI) GAMING 80ARJ) 

COUNTY HIGHWAY COMMISSION 

On May 81

h 2012 the United States Department of Transportation ("DOT") through Docket DOT-OST2012-0069 invited solicitation of proposals from communities and/or consortia of communities 

interested in obtaining a federal grant under the Small Community Air Service Development Program 

("SCASDP"). The purpose of SCASDP is to provide assistance to small I rural communities in 

addressing the issues of air service and airfare in their communities. The SCASDP provides for a 

Private Public Partnership ("3P") framework so as to establish a Consortium for partnering in the 

submission. NATIONS INVESTMENT COMPANY ("NIC") had conceptualized and commenced 

establishment of a Nevada Entity, HIGH SIERRA AIRLINES ("HSA"), as a Nevada regional airline 

almost two years ago in collaboration with the Mineral County Economic Development Authority, the 

town of Hawthorne and specific businesses. 

Unlike the previous efforts to operate a viable rural regional airline in Nevada, HSA will operate on the 

premise of a comprehensive business model that enables access to the un- and under-utilized assets 

of these rural communities versus dependency on the appropriation of a governmental air service 

passenger subsidy for small communities (i.e. Essential Air Service- EAS). HSA's Business Model is 

predicated on HSA being the Logistical Access Catalyst for Rural Nevada. In this role, HSA would 

function as the enabler of commerce (e.g., people, goods and services) to these Communities and 

redefine aspects of movement for business to these locations where rubber-tire access is the 

predominant mode for transportation now. 

The Mineral County Commission is officially acknowledging its support and advocacy in the 

implementation plan of HSA along with its proposal solicitation for the SCASDP Grant. With this Letter, 

We are notifying the DOT of our participation in this Initiative as a Public Partner I Supporter for the 

HSA Project within this 3P Framework. Mineral County Commission believes that HSA's Business 

Model will provide a strategic business solution that is desperately needed for the transportation 

network of rural Nevada. The presence of a viable rurally-focused regional airline will stimulate growth 

and make reality the promise of sustainable job creation through reliable year-round scheduled air 

service. In formalizing our position as a Supporter I Partner of this Initiative, We are voicing our belief in 

the potential of HSA's operation furthering the economic development and viability of both the rural and 

urban Counties in Nevada. 

Sincerely, 
Fwd: SMALL COMMUNITY AIRPORT DEV Program- June 11th Submission Page 1 of3 

Fwd: SMALL COMMUNITY AIRPORT DEV Program- June 11th Submission 

From: 

To: 

Shelley Hartmann <shartmannmceda@sbcglobal. net> 

raymond Mason <RMason@nationsinvestmentco.com> 

Priority: Normal 

Date 06-05-2012 04:28 PM 

Shelley Hartmann, MCEDA 

Mineral County Economic Development Authority 

'We are all about jobs' 

Begin forwarded message: 

From: "Jim Garza" < wocedc@mwoower.net > 

Date: June 5, 2012 7:23:11 AM PDT 

To: "'Shelley Hartmann"' < shartmannmceda@sbcglobal.net > 

Subject:RE: SMALL COMMUNITY AIRPORT DEV Program- June 11th Submission 

Shelley, 

We are gaining approval this morning from our Airport Advisory Committee to submit a 

Letter of Advocacy to them. We will CC you on the email today once scanned. We can't 

support the grant opportunity because we have Great Lakes Airlines receiving EAS federal 

funding and the grant does not allow us to partner with a new airlines to receive additional 

funding from the Fed's. However, we know this is a great opportunity for White Pine to be 

part of the group so we are offering a Letter of Advocacy that does not conflict with the 

grant exclusions. 

Jim Garza- Director 

White Pine County 

Community & Economic Development 

957 Campton Street 

Ely, Nevada 89301 

(775) 293-6592 Office 

(775) 289-8860 Fax 

http:/ I ox.myappservice. com/ ox6/ ox.html 6/9/2012 
Fwd: SMALL COMMUNITY AIRPORT DEV Program- June 11th Submission 

wpcedc@mwpower.net 

PREPARED FOR YOUR BUSINESS 

From: Shelley Hartmann [mailto:shartmannmceda@sbcglobal.net] 

Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:56AM 

To: Eric Grimes; Pam Borda; Heidi Lusby; Bill E Sims; Dennis & Joni Eastley; Dennis 

Bradley; Jim Garza 

Cc: Dana Fruend; Angela Adair; Denise Argo; Wade and Kay Barton; AI Parker; A Rossman; 

Bob Conner; Bob Shriver; Jeff Brigger; Connie Simkins; Jim Utterback; Doug Carriger; Eric 

D; Dean Haymore; Ed higbee higbee; Mark Nixon; C Fraker; Michael Guss; Ramona 

Morrison; Robert Chambers; Ron Radhil; GoingR-contact; 'GeneEtcheverry; varlin higbee; 

Harriet Ealey; Jerrie Tipton; Kathy Agee-Dow; Kevin Hayes 

Subject: Fwd: SMALL COMMUNITY AIRPORT DEV Program -June 11th Submission 

Our rural airline is asking for support for their grant application to bring a small air carrier to rural Nevada. I 

believe this will help every rural county enhance tourism, take product to urban markets and passengers to all 

markets. I believe this will be a key to attracting business to rural Nevada. 

We appreciate any assistance you can provide. 

Warm est regards 

Shelley 

Shelley Hartmann, MCEDA 

Mineral County Economic Development Authority 

'We are all about jobs' 

Begin forwarded message: 

From: Raymond Mason< RMason@nationsinvestmentco.com > 

Date: June 5, 2012 5:30:00 AM PDT 

To:wendyrudder.laigroup@gmail.com , tmoyers@ci.elko.nv.us , 11 

bthompson@co.douglas.nv.us 11 < bthompson@co.douglas.nv.us >, 

ALPHAl@FRONTIERNET.NET , Pam< pam@eceda.com >, Mike Coster< 

http:/ I ox.myappservice. com/ ox6/ ox.html 

Page 2 of3 

6/9/2012 
Fwd: SMALL COMMUNITY AIRPORT DEV Program- June 11th Submission 

costerwoc@gmail.com > 

Cc: 11 shelley@mineralcountvnevada.com 11 < shelley@mineralcountvnevada.com >, Neil 

Atkinson< NAtkinson@nationsinvestmentco.com >, Mike Trujilo < mcpw@gbis.com > 

Subject:SMALL COMMUNITY AIRPORT DEV Program- June 11th Submission 

Reply-To: Raymond Mason< RMason@nationsinvestmentco.com > 

All, 

As each of your airports are included in the PHASE 1 roll-out for HIGH SIERRA AIRLINES 

(

11 HSA 11

), Nations Investment Co had hoped that you would have responded to our initial 

suggestion to join our conference call on the Small Community Air Service Development 

Program Grant solicitation. Understanding the timing was less than convenient, we are hoping 

that you have since had time to review the information distributed and the HSA Initiative 

welcomed. It is our desire that all of you consider being Public Partners in the Initiative 

explicitly, but at least minimally to acknowledge your support for the Initiative. 

I will be reaching out to each of you over the next couple of days to this end. Please take a look 

at the attached Draft Letter of Support or Partnership. Let us know your interests in 

participating and if we can discuss the implications to your Airport, Community and County as 

currently scoped. 

Do not hesitate to call me. Thank you for your consideration. 

Best Regards, 

Raymond Mason, Chief Operating Officer & VP 

NATIONS INVESTMENT CO 

www .nationsinvestmentco.com 

(203) 249-1329 phone 

(203) 621-3199 fax 

No virus found in this message. 

Checked by AVG- www.avg.com 

Version: 2012.0.2177 I Virus Database: 2425/5045- Release Date: 06/04/12 

http:/ I ox.myappservice. com/ ox6/ ox.html 

Page 3 of3 

6/9/2012 
Nevada's Premier Wireless Internet-Network Provider 

June 5. 2012 

Dear: Aloha Ley, Associate Director, Small Community Program 

United States Department of Transportation 

On May 81

h 2012 the United States Department of Transportation ("DOT") through Docket DOT-OST2012-0069 invited solicitation of proposals from communities and/or consortia of communities interested 

in obtaining a federal grant under the Small Community Air Service Development Program ("SCASDP"). 

The purpose of SCASDP is to provide assistance to small I rural communities in addressing the issues of 

air service and airfare in their communities. The SCASDP provides for a Private Public Partnership ("3P") 

framework so as to establish a Consortium for partnering in the submission. NATIONS INVESTMENT 

COMPANY (''NIC") had conceptualized and commenced establishment of a Nevada Entity, HIGH 

SIERRA AIRLINES ("HSA"), as a Nevada regional airline almost two years ago in collaboration with the 

Minera l County Economic Development Authority, the town of Hawthorne and specific businesses. 

Unlike the previous efforts to operate a viable rural regional airline in Nevada, HSA will operate on the 

premise of a comprehensive business model that enables access to the un- and under-utilized assets of 

these rural communities versus dependency on the appropriation of a governmental air service 

passenger subsidy for small communities (i.e. Essential Air Service - EAS). HSA's Business Model is 

predicated on HSA being the Logistical Access Catalyst for Rural Nevada. In this role. HSA would 

function as the enabler of commerce (e.g., people, goods and services) to these Communities and 

redefine aspects of movement for business to these locations where rubber-tire access is the 

predominant mode for transportation now. 

Atomsplash LLC is officially acknowledging its support and advocacy in the implementation plan of HSA 

along with its proposal solicitation for the SCASDP Grant. With this Letter, We are notifying the DOT of 

our participation in this Initiative as a Supporter for the HSA Project within this 3P Framework. 

Atomsplash LLC believes that HSA's Business Model will provide a strategic business solution that is 

desperately needed for the transportation network of rural Nevada. The presence of a viable rurallyfocused regional airline will stimulate growth and make reality the promise of sustainable job creation 

through reliable year-round scheduled air service. In formalizing our position as a Supporter I Partner of 

this Initiative, We are voicing our belief in the potential of HSA's operation furthering the economic 

development and viability of both the rural and urban Counties in Nevada. 

Nicholas White 

Founder and Princ1pal 

3785 Baker Lane. Suite 101 

Reno. NV 89509 

77 5-636-7961 

877-268-0157 

www.atomsplash.com 
WNDD 

5 June 2012 

Mr. Aloha Ley 

Associate Director 

Western Nevada Development District 

Small Community Program 

United States Department of Transportation 

Washington, DC 

RE: Letter of Support 

Grant Application - Small Community Air Service Development Program 

Dear Sir: 

Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) is providing this letter of support for the grant 

application under the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP). WNDD is an 

approved Economic Development District under the auspices of the U.S. Economic Development 

Administration (EDA). The WNDD region is comprised of the following Nevada counties: Carson City, 

Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing and Storey. 

The Mineral County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA) has been collaborating with Nations 

Investment Company (NIC) to conceptualize and commence establishment of a Nevada Entity, High 

Sierra Airlines (HSA) to provide air service not only to Mjneral County, Nevada, but to other rural areas 

of the State. 

Unlike the previous efforts to operate a viable rural regional airline in Nevada, HSA will operate on the 

premise of a comprehensive business model that enables access to the un-utilized and under-utilized 

assets of these rural communities versus dependency on the appropriation of a governmental air service 

passenger subsidy for small communities (i.e. Essential Air Service - EAS). HSA's Business Model is 

predicated on HSA being the Logistical Access Catalyst for Rural Nevada. In this role, HSA would 

function as the enabler of commerce (e.g., people, goods and services) to these Communities and redefine 

aspects of movement for business to these locations where rubber-tire access is the predominant mode for 

transportation now. 

WNDD knows transportation in its many forms is a vital component of economic development and 

community development within the region. Improved infrastructure, including transportation, is a part of 

the WNDD Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The presence of a viable, rural-focused 

regional airline will stimulate growth and make reality the promise of sustainable job creation through 

reliable year-round scheduled air service. 

Therefore, WNDD is supportive of this HSA implementation plan and its SCASDP grant application. 

This project would be beneficial to the economic development of the WNDD region. 

Sincerely, 

It~~ Executive Director 

704 W. Nye Lane • Suite 20 l • Carson City, Nevada 89703 

(775) 883-7333 • Fax (775) 883-0722 

ArizonaNlmda 

6220 Mcleod Drive Suite 100 

Tower Corporation~ las Vegas, Nevada 89 120-4441 

702-454-2682 I 702-953-7842 Fax 

June 5, 2012 

Dear: Aloha Ley, Associate Director, Small Community Program 

United States Department of Transportation 

On May gth 2012 the United States Department of Transportation ("DOT") through 

Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069 invited solicitation of proposals from communities and/or 

consortia of communities interested in obtaining a federal grant under the Small Community 

Air Service Development Program ("SCASDP"). The purpose of SCASDP is to provide assistance 

to small I rural communities in addressing the issues of air service and airfare in their 

communities. The SCASDP provides for a Private Public Partnership ("3P" ) framework so as to 

establish a Consortium for partnering in the submission. NATIONS INVESTMENT COMPANY 

("NIC") had conceptualized and commenced establishment of a Nevada Entity, HIGH SIERRA 

AIRLINES ("HSA"), as a Nevada regional airline almost two years ago in collaboration with the 

Mineral County Economic Development Authority, the town of Hawthorne and specific 

businesses. 

Unlike the previous efforts to operate a viable rural regional airline in Nevada, HSA will 

operate on the premise of a comprehensive business model that enables access to the un- and 

under-utilized assets of these rural communities versus dependency on the appropriation of a 

governmental air service passenger subsidy for small communities (i.e. Essential Air Service -

EAS). HSA's Business Model is predicated on HSA being the Logistical Access Catalyst for Rural 

Nevada. In this role, HSA would function as the enabler of commerce (e.g., people, goods and 

services) to these Communities and redefine aspects of movement for business to these 

locations where rubber-tire access is the predominant mode for transportation now. 

Arizona Nevada Tower Corporation is officially acknowledging its support and advocacy 

in the implementation plan of HSA along with its proposal solicitation for the SCASDP Grant. 

With this Letter, we are notifying the DOT of our participation in t his initiative as a Public 

Partner I Supporter for the HSA Project within this 3P Framework. Arizona Nevada Tower 

Corporation believes that HSA's Business Model will provide a strategic business solution that is 

desperately needed for the transportation network of rural Nevada. The presence of a viable 

rurally-focused regional airline will stimulate growth and make reality the promise of 

sustainable job creation through reliable year-round scheduled air service. In formalizing our 

position as a Supporter I Partner of this initiative, we are voicing our belief in the potential of 

HSA's operation furthering the economic development and viability of both the rural and urban 

counties in Nevada. 
Fwd: SMALL COMMUNITY AIRPORT DEV Program- June 11th Submission 

Fwd: SMALL COMMUNITY AIRPORT DEV Program- June 11th Submission 

From: Shelley Hartmann <shartmannmceda@sbcglobal. net> 

To: raymond Mason <RMason@nationsinvestmentco.com> 

Priority: Normal 

Date 06-05-2012 05:40 PM 

Shelley Hartmann, MCEDA 

Mineral County Economic Development Authority 

'We are all about jobs' 

Begin forwarded message: 

From: Gene Etcheverry < getcheverrv@landercountvnv.org > 

Date: June 5, 2012 8:15:55 AM PDT 

To: Shelley Hartmann < shartmannmceda@sbcglobal.net > 

Subject:Re: SMALL COMMUNITY AIRPORT DEV Program- June 11th Submission 

Good Morning, Shelley, 

I will take the letter of support for High Sierra Airlines to the Commission on Thursday, June 14, 2012. The 

Battle Mountain Airport (BAM) is well-developed and well-suited to commercial airline service. Only a small 

amount of upgrading would be required for the airport to serve commercial air service. 

Please keep me in the loop on this initiative, as this is the first communication I have received on the issue. 

There is an absolute need for such service in Battle Mountain, as the 'regional' airport in Elko is not truly 

centrally located to serve the mining operations that are (generally) located 50- 80 miles to the west. 

Best regards colleague! 

Gene P. Etcheverry 

Executive Director 

Lander County 

On Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 6:56AM, Shelley Hartmann< shartmannmceda@sbcglobal.net >wrote: 

Our rural airline is asking for support for their grant application to bring a small air carrier to rural Nevada. 

believe this will help every rural county enhance tourism, take product to urban markets and passengers to all 

markets. I believe this will be a key to attracting business to rural Nevada. 

We appreciate any assistance you can provide. 

Warm est regards 

Shelley 

Shelley Hartmann, MCEDA 

Mineral County Economic Development Authority 

'We are all about jobs' 

Begin forwarded message: 

From: Raymond Mason< RMason@nationsinvestmentco.com > 

Date: June 5, 2012 5:30:00 AM PDT 

To:wendyrudder.laigroup@gmail.com , tmoyers@ci.elko.nv.us , " 

http:/ I ox.myappservice. com/ ox6/ ox.html 

Page 1 of2 

6/9/2012 
Fwd: SMALL COMMUNITY AIRPORT DEV Program- June 11th Submission 

bthompson@co.douglas.nv.us 11 < bthompson@co.douglas.nv.us >, 

ALPHAl@FRONTIERNET.NET , Pam< pam@eceda.com >, Mike Coster< 

costerwpc@gmail.com > 

Cc: 11 shelley@mineralcountvnevada.com 11 < shelley@mineralcountvnevada.com >, Neil 

Atkinson< NAtkinson@nationsinvestmentco.com >, Mike Trujilo < mcpw@gbis.com > 

Subject:SMALL COMMUNITY AIRPORT DEV Program- June 11th Submission 

Reply-To: Raymond Mason< RMason@nationsinvestmentco.com > 

All, 

As each of your airports are included in the PHASE 1 roll-out for HIGH SIERRA AIRLINES 

(

11 HSA 11

), Nations Investment Co had hoped that you would have responded to our initial 

suggestion to join our conference call on the Small Community Air Service Development 

Program Grant solicitation. Understanding the timing was less than convenient, we are 

hoping that you have since had time to review the information distributed and the HSA 

Initiative welcomed. It is our desire that all of you consider being Public Partners in the 

Initiative explicitly, but at least minimally to acknowledge your support for the Initiative. 

I will be reaching out to each of you over the next couple of days to this end. Please take a 

look at the attached Draft Letter of Support or Partnership. Let us know your interests in 

participating and if we can discuss the implications to your Airport, Community and County 

as currently scoped. 

Do not hesitate to call me. Thank you for your consideration. 

Best Regards, 

Raymond Mason, Chief Operating Officer & VP 

NATIONS INVESTMENT CO 

www . nationsinvestmentco.com 

(203) 249-1329 phone 

( 2 0 3 ) 6 21-319 9 fax 

http:/ I ox.myappservice. com/ ox6/ ox.html 

Page 2 of2 

6/9/2012