USDapartmentof . ,Ci (JPrRATiO^i^ 

Transportatio n - - iv. , ,,, ,200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

f\Mu-^^u. r _ . Washington, DC 20590 

Office Of the Secretary P >n - , ^ ->-, 

of Transportation ' ' " '- -5-3 

The Honorable Tim Murphy SEP 2 1 2011 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Murphy. 

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the Westmoreland County 

Airport Authority for a grant under the Small Community Air Service Development 

Program (Small Community Program). 

The Small Commxmity Program was established to help smaller communities address air 

service deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares and insufficient service. 

Under the statute, the Department may use the funds to make a maximum of 40 grant 

awards each year, although no more than four may be to communities in the same State. 

In order to provide communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service 

deficiencies, the statute provides significant flexibility in how the financial assistance 

may be used. 

On July 1, the Department issued an order requesting that communities interested in 

receiving a grant this year file their applications by August 2. As these grant requests are 

pending before the Department, I am sure you understand that I cannot comment on the 

merits of any particular proposal. I assure you, however, that the Department will give 

full consideration to all proposals that have been properly filed. 

As is our normal practice, I am placing a copy of your letter and this response in Docket 

DOT-OST-2011-0119 as a contact outside the record of this matter. I appreciate your 

interest in this program. If I can provide further information or assistance, please feel 

free to call me. 

Sincerely yours, 

Aloha Ley 

Associate Director 

Small Community Program 
34^AW WC 

TIM MURPHY 

18TH DISTRICT, PENNSYLVANIA 

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE 

HEALTH 

COMMERCE, TRADE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION 

CO-CHAIR, STEEL CAUCUS ^ \ 

CO-CHAIR, 21 STCENTURY HEALTH 1 

CARE CAUCUS | 

Cg^-CHAIR, MENTAL HEALTH CAUCUS 

CO^CHAIR, FRIENDS OF IRELAND 

SUBURBAN CAUCUS 

WEBSITE: murphy.house.gov 

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liaHijinston. 10120515 

July 19,2011 

Aloha Ley 

Associate Director 

Small Community Air Service Development Program, X-55 

Us Department Of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Dear Associate Director Ley: 

I am in receipt of correspondence from the Westmoreland County Airport Authority (WCAA), 

operators of the Amold Palmer Regional Airport (LBE) located in Unity Township, 

Pennsylvania. WCAA has applied for the Small Community Air Service Development Program, 

and I write to you today on their behalf. 

Westmoreland County has a population of approximately 400,000, and the airport has the 

potential of serving up to 750,000 residents of the Greater Pittsburgh area. The Amold Palmer 

Regional Airport began servicing commercial flights to Pittsburgh International (PIT) in the 

1980's. The departure of US Airways from the region and the bankruptcy of Northwest Airlines 

commercial service at the hub have left LBE solely servicing charter flights. In February, LBE 

contracted: Spirit Airlines to provide commercial service to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Myrtle 

Beach, South Carolina. Since then, more than 30,000 passengers have flown through the terminal, 

and with funding through this program, LBE will expand its marketing abilities to attract more 

businesses, educational institutions, and recreational travelers. The Westmoreland County Airport 

Authority also plans to use this funding to expand awareness of the airport's potential as a hub to 

PIT, known as 'The Pittsburgh Connector." 

I urge you to give this proposal for funding your full and fair consideration. Thank you for your 

time and attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, 

Tim Murphy ;. 

Member of Congress 

D 322 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING 

WASHINGTON, DC 20515 

(202)225-2301 

FAX: (202)225-1844 

D 504 WASHI^IGTON ROAD 

PITTSBURGH, PA 15228 

(412)344-5583 

FAX: (412)429-5092 

LH 2040 FREDERICKSON PLACE 

ROUTE 136 

GREENSBURG, PA 15601 

(724)850-7312 

FAX: (724) 850-7315