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August 5, 2011 

Ms. Aloha Ley 

Associate Director 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

8'*" Floor, Room W86-310 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington D.C. 20590 

Reference: Docket DOT-OST-2011-0119 

Dear Ms. Ley, 

On behalf of the Board of Directors and our 1,600 member businesses of the Lakeland Area Chamber of 

Commerce, I write today in support of the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport's application for a Small Community 

Air Service Grant. Lakeland Linder is the newest commercial air service airport in the nation. The Airport and its 

community partners are proud of the incredible work accomplished and the successful commencement of 

scheduled air service on June 23, 2011. 

Lakeland is an ultra low-cost airport perfectly positioned to afford tourists easy access to all of Central Florida, 

from Orlando and Disney World to St. Petersburg and the Gulf Coast beaches. Central Florida has been 

challenged by the recent economic slowdown and tourists, and their economic impact, are critical to the 

Lakeland area's economic recovery. 

The Lakeland Grant application document outlines numerous instances of very high and non-competitive 

airfares between cities nationwide and Central Florida. These high fares depress Florida tourism. 

Lakeland's 2011 Grant application is designed to address this issue. It proposes Grant funding to support 

Lakeland's partnership with airlines on aggressive marketing of new air service at the Airport. This Grant 

supported marketing fund will enable Lakeland to recruit and support critically needed new Central Florida air 

service which will bring more tourists and their economic impact to the region. 

Thank you for your giving this application your every consideration. A favorable determination will greatly 

enhance the transportation assets and tourism prospects of this community. 

'VHtK 

Jen Munson 

President 

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^ACCREDITED cc: Gene Conrad, Director, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport 

— Jackie Johnson, Senior Vice President, Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce 

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August 5, 201 

is. Aloha Ley 

Associate Director 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

S"* Floor, Room W86-3I0 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington D.C. 20590 

Dear Ms. Ley, 

Reference; Docket DOT-OST-2011-0119 

On behalf of the Lakeland Convention and Visitors Bureau, I would like to request your consideration of 

a Small Comnuinity Air Service Grant application submitted by Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. 

Lakeland Linder offers the newest commercial air service airport in the nation. The Airport and its community partners are e.\tremely proud of all we have accomplished and the successful commencement of 

scheduled air service which began on June 23, 2011. 

Lakeland is an economical airport ideally positioned in Central Florida to offer visitors easy access to all 

of Central Florida, from Orlando and Disney World to St. Petersburg and the Gulf Coast beaches. 

Central Florida has been directly affected by the 2008-2009 economic downturn. Tourism and its economic impact are essential to the Lakeland area's economic recovery. 

rhe Lakeland Grant application document outlines numerous instances of very high and noncompetitive airfares between cities nationwide and Central Florida. These high fares depress Florida 

tourism. 

Lakeland's 2011 Grant application is designed to address this issue. It proposes Grant funding to support 

Lakeland's partnership with airlines on aggressive marketing of new air service at the Airport. This 

Grant supported marketing fund will enable Lakeland to recruit and support critically needed new 

Central Florida air service which will bring more tourists and their economic impact to the region. 

1 strongly urge the Department to give the Lakeland Grant application favorably consideration. 1 wish to 

be apprised by the Department of the ultimate disposition of the Lakeland Grant application. 

fIfcqueJ^)ne Johnson, Sptlior Vice President 

Lakeland Convention & Visitors Hure.iu 

'ACCREDITED LAKELAND (ONVEKTION A VISITORS BUREAU 

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Augusts, 2011 

Ms. Aloha Ley VISKOHS ft COPJVCNTIOW HIIHI-AII 

Associate Director 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

8*^ Floor, Room W86-310 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington D.C. 20590 

Dear Ms. Ley, 

Reference: Docket DOT-OST-2011-0119 

The Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland Florida, has submitted for your 

consideration a Small Community Air Sen/ice Grant application. Lakeland Linder is the 

nevi^est commercial air service airport in the nation. The Airport and its community 

partners are proud of all we have accomplished and the successful commencement of 

scheduled air service on June 23, 2011. 

Lakeland is an ultra low-cost airport perfectly positioned to afford tourists and business 

travelers easy access to the entire Central Florida region. In fact, within a 100 radius of 

the airport reside more than 8 million people, roughly half the state's population. From 

St. Petersburg and the Gulf Coast beaches to Ortando and Disney World; Central 

Florida is one of the nation's most attractive destinations. As I'm sure you know; Central 

Florida has been hit very hard by the economic slowdown. Tourism, our states top 

economic engine, is absolutely critical to our area's economic recovery and overall 

quality of life. 

The Lakeland Grant application document outlines numerous instances of very high and 

non-competitive airfares between cities nationwide and Central Florida. These high fares 

depress Florida tourism. 

Lakeland's 2011 Grant application is designed to address this issue. It proposes Grant 

funding to support Lakeland's partnership with airlines, and the aggressive marketing of 

new air service at the airport. This Grant supported mart<eting fund will enable Lakeland 

to recruit and support critically needed Central Florida air service which will bring more 

tourists and business travelers, along with the concomitant economic impact to the 

region. 

I wholeheartedly encourage your support for this powerful economic engine and give the 

Lakeland Grant application favorable consideration. Please keep me apprised of the 

ultimate disposition of iba Lakeland Grant application. 

Marki 

Director Tdurism & Sports Marketing 

Cer)tral Florida Tourism & Sports Marketing 

2701 Lake Myrtle Park Road 

Aubumdate, FL 33823 

P: 863-551-4717 

F: 863-551-4740 

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