o 

^^^!S^S^!!!^ Assistant Secretary 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Transportation Washington, DC 20590 

Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

SEP 0 9 2011 

rCO 

Mr. Joseph S. Paxton ^^ , 

County Administrator 'TJ_ 

Rockingham County Administration Center -^ 

P.O. Box 1252 -^ 

Harrisonburg, VA 22803 ^ 

Dear Mr. Paxton: 

Thank you for your letter to Secretary LaHood supporting the proposal submitted by the 

Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission for a grant under the Small 

Community Air Service Development Program (Small Community Program). The 

Secretary has asked that I^espond on his behalf 

The Small Commimity 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 commimities 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 carmot comment on the 

merits of any particular proposal. 1 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 

fi-ee to call me. 

Sincerely yours, 

Susan L. Kurland 

Assistant Secretary for 

Aviation and International Affairs 
SI 0-1 10826-009 

f{ 

SHtNANDOAH VALLEY ism ^0 

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY 

inly 5, 21)1! 

uoAtio OF suresvtsoHS 

DM 6, i=i.oyti 

V«LUAM », KYoea J« 

MiCHAEt A. ttnanxsi 

Tlic llwMjrahlc Ru)iuurid II. I^li«>t] 

Secretary of TransfhHlalion 

U.S. Department of t ransporiaiion 

1300 Nttw Jersey Avenue, Sti 

Washingloa, DC 2(1590 

Dear Secrciatj' LaHood: 

llucktngham County is «IK of tltc five jurisdictions that coniiKise the Shenandoah 

X'jilley Regional Aiipoo CKmntission. Rtickingham Wrongly iuppons (he Shenandoah 

Vailcy Kcgi»mol Aiiport Commission's graiU (^plication before Ihe I>cpani[Hcm of 

IranSjfKtrlaiJim undlcr the Small C^omraunity Air Service Ucve!opm«m Program. 

I he AtrfXJrt i.< crilicu) for the cconomit- vitaitty of our region and its future. The 

Courtly values Ihv* inany ti«iM.-fU5i providoJ by i» rggionat airiHtrl timi cwnliuue* lo itivci-i 

signtficanlly in \K% UcvclopmenI ()uf ctmiiimritty'siiir service was dtiunalicaHv irapaclcvi 

follovvinii Ihc event-; of Scplemhcr 11, 2001. I'riot Ui 2001, tlH; irgiou hud provrn its 

ability to supixnt laisubiidij'^d air service provided (he carrier was able (a ortcr viable, 

linicly and oMnwnital acucM lo ailica! hubs 

Uur incumfocm air canici, Colgan Air, bc^an pruvtdtng United Kxprcss s<.*rvi«« lu 

WashingUm Dulles Inlcmaiional Airport in 20(18. Upgrading the aircraft, in addition to 

adding this new serv ice with gneatly-improvc'd far<s and connccliviiy, has resulted in an 

increasini number of boardings, f he$c investments by Colgan Air represent ite first 

substantial impmvcmcnl by an air ciurrier in our scaic* in a number of years. 

As noted, the rcspoa-ie to this chsmge has been very favorable; however, the 

etudienge for tfw Cuinmiiisinn is ttt communicate this impruvemcnt in air service, fares 

isA equipment. Iti uvcrconic eight years of less than desirable service, an aggressive, 

sustained marketing campaign \% critical to adequately communicate this positive change. 

lite osst til intplement such a prtigntni exceeds available local resources. The 

Commtsiiion \\m applied for a grant to meet this important need. 

POST OFnc t BOX »*&£, HAn(»»M«DOBa, V!B«»«A SM33 

36 
SI 0-110826-009 

fii-!ENAj-4DOALi VALU . -Hea 

immBtt^ 

Iciit-i lo NciTLiiiy '.>f 1 ransponaiioli 

July 5. 20! i 

Page 2 

Approving this giant !br Ihc Siicncmdoah Valley .••\ir|XJVl Cisminission vvi!! 

continue the positive growiii in passenger traffic and iRerca>e revcnviu for tlw carrier, 

thereby iessening. or possibly cliniinalin^, wurtoainwnity's reliance on ihc .Siubsidy 

under tlie Essentia! ,Air Service Program 

Iliuiik you in advance fur your consideralion ot this appUcatian, 

.Sitieerely 

'"losepli'-^. {'axton 

'if^'-'/:y~:'^-^^:t 

ISP.'gs 

c: Gregory W, Campbell, K.seculivc Director. Slien^uidoah Vai!$y RegioiiH! Airport 

Patrick .1. Coffield, County Adniinisirator, Augusta County 

Kurt D Hodgen, C!itv Manager. City of lliutisonbta-g 

Stephen F. Owx-n, City Manager, City of Stautitoti 

Michael G. Hamp, ill. City Muiiager, City of Waynesboro 

AU;iii!i ^liiirctf'.l ctiK^vlSf^'t alln. J R.»,, hV({,'\ jitiifK Sjifiiii.ai.-'ri i«l l.iit«. 

"».enOn-|;,u.! vT I •'COKTiOi AM .j< r r\i.)i,-.~<: M 37