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July 30, 2013

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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:

1 am writing on behalf of the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB), its Board of

Directors, staffand the potentia! visitors we hope to attract to the Pioneer Valley of West em 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~largest metropolitan area in

Massachusetts, Westover is situated betwcen Boston, Albany, Hartford, and Brattleboro, which makes it an

ideal location for arriving and departing visitors 10 the 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 a brief 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 a crucial clement in these efforts.

1 urge your strong support of this application.

, ,~tfu\lYiJ.~Ubm~tLMary y 'Ora U

Presid '
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

MASSACHUSETTS SENATE

STATEHOuse. BOSTON, MA 02133-1053

SENATOR

MICHAEL R. KNAPIK

SeCOND HAMPOEN 6 HAMPSHIRE

DISTRICT

July 30, 2013

Secretary Anthony R. Foxx

United States Secretary of Transportation

'400 7

th Street SW

Washington, MA 20590

Dear Secretary 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

I am writing this letter in support of the Small Community Air Service Development Program

grant application submitted by the Westover Metropolitan Airport. It is my understanding a

request in the amount of $450,000 with a local matching'share of $50,000 and airport in kind

incentives of $308,330 has been applied for. I appreciate the opportunity to comment on this

important matter.

Westover Air Base has long played a critical role in homeland defense and in projecting

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

students preparing to compete in the global economy.

If funded, the Small Community Air Service Development Program resources would complement

monies from the Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation in initiating marketing and

advertising for future airline service at Westover. I am confident that the entire Pioneer Valley

would experience positive economic spin-off from the return of passenger service.

Please accept this letter as my strongest support for this grant application. If you require

additional comment, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Thank you, in advance, for your most favorable consideration.

Very truly yours,

Michael R. Knapik

State Senator