Chapman, Brooke (OST) DFFARTMEHT OF 

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From: Bob Bartz [bobb@manateechamber.com] •V'TiKhT OPERATIONS 

Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 3:02 PM 

To: Chapman, Brooke (OST) ^.-..n OPT I :> A n- :>-l 

September 15,2010 

US Department of Transportation 

Ms. Brooke Chapman 

Transportation Industry Analyst 

1200 New Jersey Ave SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Sarasota Bradenton International Application for Small Community Air Service Development Grant, 

Docket DOT-OST-2010-0124 

Dear Ms. Chapman, 

Please accept this letter as written support to the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority's grant application under 

DOT-OST-2010-0124. 

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce fully support the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority's grant application 

for funding to increase and strengthen airport marketing initiatives. The need exists because of the unusual 

circumstances with the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The spill has resulted in a drop in Gulf Coast tourism 

and negative impact on many community businesses. Awarding the grant requested is paramount to moving 

towards returning passenger levels and travelers to historic levels for the Gulf Coast region of Florida. 

Additionally, we fully support the award of grant funds for the purchase of airport ground handling equipment 

(GSE) that will allow for lower operating costs at our airport, SRQ, and thereby bring our airport and 

community into a more competitive position when compared with larger airports in the region. 

Thank you kindly for including this letter with the Sarasota Manatee Grant Application, and considering our 

support when evaluating their application, 

Robert P. Bartz, lOM '-

President 

Manatee Chamber of Commerce 

Downtown Bradenton Office: 222 10th St. West 

Lakewood Ranch Office: 4215 Concept Court, McClure Center 

Ph: (941) 748-4842 ext. 112, Fax: (941) 745-1877 

National Chamber of the Year 

Three-Time Winner Florida Chamber of the Year 

5 Star Accredited U.S. Chamber of Commerce 

Think Green - don't print this email unless you really need to! 

Thank vou to our Platinum Members: AutoWay Ford; Bright House Networks; Manatee County Government; Manatee 

Memorial Hospital; NDC Construction Company; Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Club; Pro Cutter Supply; Sarasota Bradenton 

International Airport; Shinn & Company; Turner Tree & Landscape; and Wagner Realty. 

1 
IThe 

Mmm. 

GREATER SARASOTA 

m m e rc e 

COMMERCE SARASOTA COUNCIL 

GOVERNMENTAL ISSUES COUNCIL 

LEADERSHIP SARASOTA COUNTY 

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS & EVENTS COUNCIL 

SMALL BUSINESS COUNCIL 

YOUNG PRO.=E5SIONALS GROUP 

Date: September 21, 2010 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Ms. Brooke Chapman 

Transportation Industry Analyst 

1200 New Jersey Ave. SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Sarasota Bradenton International Application for Small Community Air Service Development Grant, 

Docket DOT-OST-2010-0124 

Dear Ms. Chapman, 

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce (GSCC) wishes to express its strong support for the 

Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority's grant application, under DOT-OST-2010-0124, to the U.S. 

Department of Transportation. By way of background, our Chamber is the oldest and largest business 

organizations based In Sarasota. 

The board and members of the GSCC fully support the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority's grant 

application for funding to increase and strengthen airport marketing initiatives. We believe that the 

need exists because of the unusual circumstances with the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The spill has 

resulted in a drop of Gulf coast tourism and negative impact on many community businesses. Awarding 

the grant requested is critical to our airport's moving towards returning passenger levels and travelers 

to historic levels for the west coast of Florida. 

Further, we fully support the award of grant funds for the purchase of airport ground handling 

equipment (GSE) that will allow for lower operating costs are our airport, and thereby bring our airport 

and community into a more competitive position when compared with larger airports in the region. 

We appreciate your including this letter with the-Sarasota Manatee Grant Application, and considering 

our support when evaluating their application. 

Sincerely, 

Steve Queior, CCE, President 

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce 

1945 Fruitville Road • Sarasota, FL 34236 • 941-955-8187 • Fax 941-366-5621 • www.sarasotachamber.com 
Chapman, Brooke (OST) 

From: Virginia Haley [VHaley@sarasotafl.org] 

Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2010 12:42 PM 

To: Chapman, Brooke (OST) 

Cc: Fredrick Piccolo; Michael Walley 

Subject: Support for DOT-OST-2010-0124 

Dear Ms. Chapman, 

I am writing in support to the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority's grant application under DOT-OST-2010-

0124. 

The Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau fully supports this grant application for funding to increase and 

strengthen airport marketing initiatives. The SCVB has documented significant negative consumer perception 

issues created by the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Awarding the grant requested is paramount to moving 

towards returning positive passenger levels for the Gulf Coast region of Florida. 

Additionally, we fully support the award of grant funds for the purchase of airport ground handling equipment 

that will allow for lower operating costs at our airport, SRQ, and thereby bring our airport and community into a 

more competitive position when compared with larger airports in the region. 

Thank you kindly for including this letter with the Sarasota Manatee Grant Application, and considering our 

support when evaluating their application, 

Sincerely, 

Virginia J. Haley, CDME 

President 

Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau 

766 Hudson Ave., Ste A 

Sarasota, FL 34236 

941 955 0991 ext. 107 

www.sarasotafl.orq 

Making Sarasota County the must-see destination on Florida's Gulf Coast. 
IS^Rft 

us Department of Transportation 

Ms. Brooke Chapman 

Transportation Industry Analyst 

1200 New Jersey Ave SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Sarasota Bradenton International Application for Small Community Air Service' 

Development Grant, Docket DOT-OST-2010-0124 

Dear Ms. Chapman, 

On behalf of the Manatee Economic Development Council, please accept this letter in 

support of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authorit/s grant application under DOTOST-2010-0124. 

We fully support this grant application for funding to increase and strengthen the 

airport's marketing initiatives. The need exists due to the devastating impact the BP 

oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has had on our local businesses and economy. The oil 

spill has caused a severe drop in Gulf Coast tourism and awarding this grant is 

paramount to returning passenger levels in our region to historic levels. 

Additionally, we fully support the award of grant funds for the purchase of airport 

ground handling equipment (GSE) which will lower operating costs and make our 

airport and community more competitive with larger airports in the region. 

Thank you for including this letter witli the Sarasota Manatee Grant Application and 

for considering our support when evaluating their request. 

Sincerely, 

' "^. • • y