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m ^ THE SECRE"fV\RY OF TRANSPORTTCTION ; iNSPuRWION 

I WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 Ali OPERAnONS 

^: 30 "j^^^fT^* September 09 , 2011 ,, -;-.. r^^ 

The Honorable Cathy McMorris Rodgers 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congresswoman Rodgers: 

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the Spokane Aiiport Board for a 

grant under the Small Community Air Service Development Program. 

The Small Community Program was established to help smaller communities address air service 

deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares and insufficient service. Under the 

statute, the U.S. Department of Transportation may make a maximum of 40 grant awards each 

year, although no more than 4 may be to communities in the same State. In order to provide 

communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service deficiencies, the statute 

allows 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, 1 JUTJ sure you understand that 1 cannot comment on the merits of any particular 

proposal. 1 can assurc 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-201 l-Ol 19 as a contact oiUside tlie record of this matter. I appreciate your interest in 

this program. If 1 can provide furtji^nforg^on or assistance, please feel free to call me. 
CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS 

5t!t DiEtBici, WASHINGTON 

ENERGY AND COMMERCE 

SuOCOMMirTEE ON HEAtTM 

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ENVIHOMMS W AN D ECONOM V 

SI 0-110808-013 

Congres^g of ti)e Mnitth States? 

REPUBLtCAN CONFERENCE 

VICE CHAIR 

DEPUTY WHIP August 02. 2011 

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Tile Honorable Raymond H. LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Re; OST-20M-0II9 

Application ofSpokane International Airport ' 

Dear Secretary LaHood, 

This letter is in support of the Greater Spokane Community's grant application to recruit nonstop servi<» 

from Spokane International Airport to Los Angeles and the greater Southern California region. 

Eastern Washington has been and continues to be a vital hub to the Pacific Northwest. Specifically, 

Spokane is the key commercial center in Eastern Washington and is a critical gateway to important 

vacation areas in North Idaho and Western Montana. To that end, the lack of nonstop flights from Los 

Angeles and Southern California is a major economic detriment to the region. 

Additionally, over the last decade. Eastern Washington has witnessed the migration of businesses from 

the greater I^s Angeles area seeking a more progressive business climate and higher quality of life. Thus, 

nonstop service from Spokane to Los Angeles ^ d Southern California would further promote business 

ventures between these two regions of the country. 

In looking for ways to grow Spokane International Airport, both the community and Airport have joined 

together to recruit a carrier to provide service from Spokane to Los Angeles and the greater Southern 

California region. In examining the data and traffic potential, we believe Spokane can provide the 

passenger traffic to make this route successful. While over 300,000 passengers annually travel between 

the Los Angeles basin and Spokane, this grant is necessary to provide tlie target carrier with a risk-ofTset 

to begin service. 

I ask that full consideration be given to their application. If you have any questions please do not hesitate 

to contact my office. 

Sincerely, 

Cathy McMorris Rodgers 

Member of Congress 

2421 RAVSUNM Moust Of net BuHtuMa 

WASM«6TON, OC 30S1* 

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