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# , The Honorable Anthony R. Foxx United States Secretary of Transportation United States Department of Transportation 400 

## 7'" Street SW W~b,ington, DC 20590 Dear Secr<lary Foxx: 1am writing on behalf of the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB), its Board of Directors, staffand the potentia! visitors we hope to attractto the Pioneer Valley of Westem Massachusetts to express my support of the application for $450,000 in federal grant funds under the Small Community Air Service Development Program submitted by the Westover Metropolitan Airport, Chicopee. Massachusetts. The Pioneer Valley region., which contains Westover, is the second~largestmetropolitan area in Massachusetts, Westover is situated betwcen Boston, Albany, Hartford, and Brattleboro, which makes it an ideal location for arriving and departing visitors 10the Valley who would enjoy seeing our tourism attractions, attending conventions, utilizing hotels, restaurants and retail locations, and especially visiting colleges, There are 32 universities and colleges with 120,000 students within one hour of Westover, which is one of the reasons why the region has been dubbed the "Knowledge Corridor:' 

### i A few years back we were encouraged by the inauguration of the Skybus flights at Westover that serviced Columbus; OH and Greensboro, NC. The program was closed after abrief run, and the GSCVB has been hopeful that another commereial flight service would take its place and greatly enhance our efforts to a_ct visitors to - and generate economic growth for - the Pioneer Valley of Western Massaehusetts. A new airline service would be acrucial clement inthese efforts. 1urge your strong support of this application.

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# U Presid 'COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS 

### MASSACHUSETTS SENATE STATE HOuse. BOSTON, MA 02133-1053
SENATOR MICHAEL R. KNAPIK SeCOND HAMPOEN 6 HAMPSHIRE

DISTRICT 

### July 30, 2013

SecretaryAnthony R. Foxx United States Secretary ofTransportation '4007th 

### Street SW Washington, MA 20590 DearSecretary Foxx: STATE HOUSE OFFICE STATe House ROOM 419 BosTON,MA 02133 Tel.(617)722.14'5 FAx(617) 722-1506
DISTAtCT OFFICE 57 No~ ELM-ST. WESTFIELD. MA 01085 TEL,(413) 662.6454 MICHAEL.KNAPIXOMASENATS,GO\I WWW.M",S£NATE.GOV
SENATE CoMldITTEE oN W/JINS AND MEAnS RANKING MEMBER



### Iamwriting this letter in support ofthe Small Community Air Service Development Program grantapplication submitted by the Westover Metropolitan Airport. It is my understanding a request inthe amount of $450,000 with a local matching'share of $50,000 and airport inkind incentives of$308,330 has been applied for. I appreciate the opportunity to comment on this important matter. WestoverAir Base has long played a critical role inhomeland defense and inprojecting American defense capabilities world wide, and is home to the United States Air Reserve Command's 439'h Airlift Wing. The airport is strategically located between Boston, Albany, Hartford, and Brattleboro. It is also located near 32 universities and colleges with 120,000 studentspreparing to compete inthe global economy. Iffunded, the Small Community Air Service Development Program resources would complement monies from the Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation in initiating marketing and advertising forfuture airline service at Westover. I am confident thatthe entire Pioneer Valley would experience positive economic spin-off from the return ofpassenger service. Please accept this letter as my strongest support forthis grant application. Ifyou require additional comment, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Thankyou, inadvance, foryour most favorable consideration. Verytrulyyours, Michael R. Knapik StateSenator