Trenton-Mercer 

Airport

Mercer County, New Jersey

Grant Application Under The 

Small Community Air Service 

Development Grant Program

Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

DUNS # 054177662

Congressional District # 12
Statement of Problem

Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) has had a long history of service to the region 

dating back to 1929. It has grown into a highly productive facility, counting over a 

dozen corporate aviation tenants, including many from the Fortune 500; the New 

Jersey State Police; the New Jersey National Guard; and many other General 

Aviation (GA) users. While these user components have flourished over the 

years, commercial air service has underperformed here. This is a frustrating 

truth, as we have a catchment population of over 11-million potential customers 

from the Tri-State area that could be well-served by the convenience and quality 

of our facility. We believe that a lack of comprehensive ground transportation 

alternatives has been a deterrent to attracting a solid, sustainable commercial 

aviation user base that must be addressed. 

While the arrival of Frontier Airlines was certainly welcome and seemed to mark 

a change of fortune for TTN’s commercial airline component, it also makes the 

issue of ground transportation even more critical. Currently, the airport has spent 

in excess of $3.5 million in creating 

additional surface parking since Frontier 

Airlines started operations at TTN; this is 

in addition to the $1 million in terminal 

enhancements currently in progress to 

accommodate the increased number of 

passengers utilizing the terminal. Should 

Frontier wish to add flights, even this 

additional parking space will not be 

enough. The county had no way of 

predicting the prodigious success of the Frontier service which has triggered 

these needed improvements. As such the county has exhausted current budgets 

on essential improvements and this grant is critical in maintaining the continued 

growth and positive impact on the region’s transportation concerns.

Options must be in place to move people in and out of the terminal by mass 

transit. Currently, the only option for passengers without vehicles is to take a taxi 

cab to one of the train stations or bus station. This is an environmentally, and 

economically unattractive alternative. It is also a real obstacle to passengers 

seeking to move beyond the confines of the Ewing Township area upon arrival at 

TTN. It also prevents those not wanting to battle for a parking spot, or who are 

without their own vehicles, or who are unable to drive or get a ride, to depart from 

our facility. 
Lack of adequate mass transit options negatively impacts our marketability and 

ability to attract and accommodate additional commercial airlines here as well. 

The aforementioned issues associated with Frontier’s passengers and a lack of 

ground transportation options are easy to see, and can only deter other 

commercial operators from seriously considering placing operations here. 

Trenton-Mercer Airport is at a crossroad; maintain the current mix of ground 

transportation options (overtaxed surface parking, cab service to bus and rail) 

and hope for the best, or expand mass transit options by utilizing services 

available from New Jersey Transit, SEPTA, etc. and somehow tie them in directly 

to our facility. The latter is the only path that improves the potential for long-term 

success for TTN’s commercial airlines, now and in the future. 

Strategic Plan/Grant Administration Plan

The program will be to fund the expansion of shuttle service already in place at 

TTN and servicing passengers travelling between the terminal and remote 

parking lots located on airport property. A new route will be added transporting 

passengers directly from the terminal to the West Trenton Station and main 

Trenton-Transit Center and allowing access integration to the areas main ground 

transportation hub for rail and bus lines.

Offering a convenient and economical alternative for ground transportation is 

critical in relieving the airports’ already overburdened parking lots. It will offer 

access to the public in close-by urban 

areas who rely solely on public 

transportation for their needs. The plan 

will also accomplish redirecting the

public at large to the more 

environmentally friendly alternative use 

of mass transit. Overall it provides 

additional access to the airport to a 

greater diversity of the public using an 

environmentally conscientious

approach.
Description of Funding Necessary

Trenton-Mercer Airport proposes to run a shuttle bus that will provide a simple 

loop service between the airport terminal, the West Trenton Train Station and the 

main Trenton Transit Center. Travel distance is only about 6 miles from the two 

farthest points but providing this efficient link allows easy access to the airport 

and opens connections it to a multitude of ground service providers including 

SEPTA, Amtrak and NJ Transit. 

The addition of the route necessary to connect to the transit center has an

anticipated cost of approximately $40,000.00 per month which projected annually 

will be approximately $480,000.00. Included in these costs are transportation 

study administration costs including consulting fees, study development, data 

compilation and analysis.

Same Project Limitation

The Trenton-Mercer Airport has never received SCASDP funds; hence there is 

no conflict with previously dispensed funds and/or grant requests.

Designation of Legal Sponsor

Legal sponsor for this grant request is The County of Mercer.

The County of Mercer would like to thank the Department in advance for their 

time and consideration in reviewing this application. Please direct any 

correspondence regarding this matter to:

Melinda Montgomery, A.A.E.

Airport Manager

Trenton-Mercer Airport

1100 Terminal Circle Drive

West Trenton, NJ 08628

(609) 882-1601
Trenton-Mercer 

Airport

Mercer County, New Jersey

Grant Application Under The 

Small Community Air Service 

Development Grant Program

Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

DUNS # 054177662

Congressional District # 12
Statement of Problem

Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) has had a long history of service to the region 

dating back to 1929. It has grown into a highly productive facility, counting over a 

dozen corporate aviation tenants, including many from the Fortune 500; the New 

Jersey State Police; the New Jersey National Guard; and many other General 

Aviation (GA) users. While these user components have flourished over the 

years, commercial air service has underperformed here. This is a frustrating 

truth, as we have a catchment population of over 11-million potential customers 

from the Tri-State area that could be well-served by the convenience and quality 

of our facility. We believe that a lack of comprehensive ground transportation 

alternatives has been a deterrent to attracting a solid, sustainable commercial 

aviation user base that must be addressed. 

While the arrival of Frontier Airlines was certainly welcome and seemed to mark 

a change of fortune for TTN’s commercial airline component, it also makes the 

issue of ground transportation even more critical. Currently, the airport has spent 

in excess of $3.5 million in creating 

additional surface parking since Frontier 

Airlines started operations at TTN; this is 

in addition to the $1 million in terminal 

enhancements currently in progress to 

accommodate the increased number of 

passengers utilizing the terminal. Should 

Frontier wish to add flights, even this 

additional parking space will not be 

enough. The county had no way of 

predicting the prodigious success of the Frontier service which has triggered 

these needed improvements. As such the county has exhausted current budgets 

on essential improvements and this grant is critical in maintaining the continued 

growth and positive impact on the region’s transportation concerns.

Options must be in place to move people in and out of the terminal by mass 

transit. Currently, the only option for passengers without vehicles is to take a taxi 

cab to one of the train stations or bus station. This is an environmentally, and 

economically unattractive alternative. It is also a real obstacle to passengers 

seeking to move beyond the confines of the Ewing Township area upon arrival at 

TTN. It also prevents those not wanting to battle for a parking spot, or who are 

without their own vehicles, or who are unable to drive or get a ride, to depart from 

our facility. 
Lack of adequate mass transit options negatively impacts our marketability and 

ability to attract and accommodate additional commercial airlines here as well. 

The aforementioned issues associated with Frontier’s passengers and a lack of 

ground transportation options are easy to see, and can only deter other 

commercial operators from seriously considering placing operations here. 

Trenton-Mercer Airport is at a crossroad; maintain the current mix of ground 

transportation options (overtaxed surface parking, cab service to bus and rail) 

and hope for the best, or expand mass transit options by utilizing services 

available from New Jersey Transit, SEPTA, etc. and somehow tie them in directly 

to our facility. The latter is the only path that improves the potential for long-term 

success for TTN’s commercial airlines, now and in the future. 

Strategic Plan/Grant Administration Plan

The program will be to fund the expansion of shuttle service already in place at 

TTN and servicing passengers travelling between the terminal and remote 

parking lots located on airport property. A new route will be added transporting 

passengers directly from the terminal to the West Trenton Station and main 

Trenton-Transit Center and allowing access integration to the areas main ground 

transportation hub for rail and bus lines.

Offering a convenient and economical alternative for ground transportation is 

critical in relieving the airports’ already overburdened parking lots. It will offer 

access to the public in close-by urban 

areas who rely solely on public 

transportation for their needs. The plan 

will also accomplish redirecting the

public at large to the more 

environmentally friendly alternative use 

of mass transit. Overall it provides 

additional access to the airport to a 

greater diversity of the public using an 

environmentally conscientious

approach.
Description of Funding Necessary

Trenton-Mercer Airport proposes to run a shuttle bus that will provide a simple 

loop service between the airport terminal, the West Trenton Train Station and the 

main Trenton Transit Center. Travel distance is only about 6 miles from the two 

farthest points but providing this efficient link allows easy access to the airport 

and opens connections it to a multitude of ground service providers including 

SEPTA, Amtrak and NJ Transit. 

The addition of the route necessary to connect to the transit center has an

anticipated cost of approximately $40,000.00 per month which projected annually 

will be approximately $480,000.00. Included in these costs are transportation 

study administration costs including consulting fees, study development, data 

compilation and analysis.

Same Project Limitation

The Trenton-Mercer Airport has never received SCASDP funds; hence there is 

no conflict with previously dispensed funds and/or grant requests.

Designation of Legal Sponsor

Legal sponsor for this grant request is The County of Mercer.

The County of Mercer would like to thank the Department in advance for their 

time and consideration in reviewing this application. Please direct any 

correspondence regarding this matter to:

Melinda Montgomery, A.A.E.

Airport Manager

Trenton-Mercer Airport

1100 Terminal Circle Drive

West Trenton, NJ 08628

(609) 882-1601


U.S. Department of Transportation July 24, 2013 

Small Community Air Service Development 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

W86-310 

Washington, DC 20590 

Att: Ms. Aloha Ley 

Dear Ms. Ley, 

The MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce is pleased to support Trenton-Mercer Airport’s (TTN) 

application for a Small Community Air Service Development Grant. Trenton-Mercer Airport is 

a key economic engine for the entire region; with the addition of Frontier Airlines it has become 

the premier transportation hub of the region as well. Award of a grant for short-term and longterm ground transportation enhancements will maintain the airport’s preeminence in this regard, 

as well as position it to grow even greater in the future. 

 

Funding under the Small Community Air Service Development Grant Program is crucial in 

moving forward on the important issue of ground transportation. A Small Community 

Development Grant would allow TTN to perform a comprehensive study detailing a long-term 

strategy to fully incorporate the airport into the area’s intermodal transportation system. It would 

also provide a temporary shuttle service to the Trenton Transit Center’s bus and rail lines, 

pending the development and implementation of a workable ground transportation management 

plan. 

TTN has had a long history of service to the region dating back to 1929. It has grown into a 

highly productive facility, counting over a dozen corporate aviation tenants, including many 

from the Fortune 500; the New Jersey State Police; the New Jersey National Guard; and many 

other General Aviation (GA) users. While these user components have flourished over the years, 

commercial air service has underperformed there. We believe that a lack of comprehensive 

ground transportation alternatives is a deterrent to attracting a solid, sustainable commercial 

aviation user base that must be addressed. The addition of Frontier Airlines is a giant leap in the 

right direction; this grant will help complete the journey to sustaining this great facility in the 

future. 

Thank you for your consideration regarding this important effort. 

Sincerely, 

Robert D. Prunetti 

President & CEO 

1

APPLICATION UNDER 

SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

DOCKET DOT-OST-2013-0120

SUMMARY INFORMATION

All applicants must submit this Summary Information schedule, as the application 

coversheet, a completed standard form SF424 and the full application proposal 

on www.grants.gov.

For your preparation convenience, this Summary Information schedule is located at 

http://www.dot.gov/policy/aviation-policy/small-community-rural-air-service/SCASDP

A. PROVIDE THE LEGAL SPONSOR AND ITS DUN AND BRADSTREET (D&B) DATA UNIVERSAL 

NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBER, INCLUDING +4, EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 

(EIN) OR TAX ID.

Legal Sponsor Name: County of Mercer

DUNS Number: 054177662

EIN/Tax ID: 21-6000856

B. LIST THE NAME OF THE COMMUNITY OR CONSORTIUM OF COMMUNITIES APPLYING:

1._________________________COUNTY OF MERCER_________

2.____________________________________________________

3.____________________________________________________

4.____________________________________________________

C. PROVIDE THE FULL AIRPORT NAME AND 3-LETTER IATA AIRPORT CODE FOR THE 

APPLICANT(S) AIRPORT(S) (ONLY PROVIDE CODES FOR THE AIRPORT(S) THAT ARE ACTUALLY 

SEEKING SERVICE).

1.Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) 2.

3. 4.
2

D. LIST THE 2-DIGIT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CODE APPLICABLE TO THE SPONSORING 

ORGANIZATION, AND IF A CONSORTIUM, TO EACH PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY.

1.Congressional District #12 2.

3. 4.

E. APPLICANT INFORMATION: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)

Not a Consortium Interstate Consortium Intrastate Consortium

Community now receives subsidized Essential Air Service

Community (or Consortium member) previously received a Small Community Air 

Service Development Program Grant

If previous recipient: Year of grant(s): 

F. PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: (LIST ORGANIZATION NAMES)

PUBLIC PRIVATE

1.Ewing Township 1.Princeton Reg. Chamber of Commerce

2. 2.Mid Jersey Chamber of Commerce

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

G. PROJECT PROPOSAL: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)

Marketing Upgrade Aircraft New Route

Travel Bank Service Restoration Subsidy

Surface Transportation Regional Service Revenue Guarantee

Launch New Carrier Start-up Cost Offset First Service

Study Secure Additional Service Other (explain below)

H. EXISTING LANDING AIDS AT LOCAL AIRPORT:

Full ILS Outer/Middle Marker Published Instrument Approach

Localizer Other (specify) ADS B
3

I. PROJECT COST: DO NOT ENTER TEXT IN SHADED AREA

LINE DESCRIPTION SUB TOTAL TOTAL AMOUNT

1 Federal amount requested 500,000.00

2 State cash financial contribution 0

Local cash financial contribution

3a Airport cash funds 25,000.00

3b Non-airport cash funds 0

3 Total local cash funds (3a + 3b) 25,000.00

4 TOTAL CASH FUNDING (1+2+3) 525,000.00

In-Kind contribution

5a Airport In-Kind contribution** 7,000.00

5b Other In-Kind contribution** 0

5 TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION 

(5a + 5b)

7,0000.00

6 TOTAL PROJECT COST (4+5) 532,000.00

J. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS**

For funds in lines 5a (Airport In-Kind contribution) and 5b (Other In-Kind contribution), please 

describe the source(s) of fund(s) and the value ($) of each.

Airport staff support for compiling and analyzing data.
4

K. IS THIS APPLICATION SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY STATE UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 12372

PROCESS?

a. This application was made available to the state under the Executive Order 12372 

Process for review on (date) _____________.

b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372, but has not been selected by the state for review.

c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372.

L. IS THE APPLICANT DELINQUENT ON ANY FEDERAL DEBT? (IF “YES”, PROVIDE 

EXPLANATION)

No Yes (explain) 

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________