## .,.. Xl-llll0:2-00I

U.S. Deportment Assistant Secretary · .: ::·:-:' ·-.**-. -:**  ; !•.• ' 1200 New JerseyAvenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 of Transportation Office of the Secretory ofTransportation The Honorable Collin C. Peterson U.S. House ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Peterson: November 21, 2011

Thank you for your letter supporting the application submitted by the Bemidji Regional Airport for a grant under the Small Community Air Service Development Program (Small Community Program). As you may know, the Small Community Program was established to help smaller communities address air service deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares and poor service. The U.S. Department ofTransportation (Department) had up to $15 million available for FY 2011 grant awards
. Under the statute, the Department may · use funds to make a maximum of40 grant awards each year, although no more than four may be to the same state. This year, the Department received 70 grant applications from communities in 34 states, collectively seeking more than $36 million in federal assistance, considerably more than could be accommodated under the statute. On September 27, the Department announced its grant selections. Given the large number of applications and the limitations in the law, it was necessary to make a number ofvezy difficult decisions. Unfortunately, the Bemidji Regional Airport was not selected for one ofthe grant awards. However, I assure you that the Department gave full consideration to its proposal. As 

### is normal practice, I am placing a copy ofyour letter and this response in Docket DOT

-OST2011-0119. A copy ofOrder-2011-9

-16 may be obtained at the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) website, which is htto://www.regula tions.gov. Entering "2011-9-16" into the field marked "Enter Keyword or ID"provides access to the full document. I appreciate your interest in this program. IfI can provide further information or assistance, please feel free to call me. Sincerely yours,

Susan L. Kurland Assistant Secretaryfor Aviation and International Affairs,**~bll~ .**  C. PETERSON

I

.. 7TH t .',. . TAtCT, MINNESOTA COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE RANKING MEMBER



### Mr. J. Randolph Babbitt Administrator

## ~~~-**'"~~~~- ~~\**  k.**~** "\**~ '~**  2211 R4VDUIIH Hous£ Of'ftCt BuJt.DINll -..,L {\**c;;-=(\_~-** \..:)(ot:)..,;. '-...:)

- .:::::>**W~S111NGTON,OC20516** 

### l"-"'**~** TnEI'HONE: 12021225-2165 

### .. Xl-111102-001

FAX: 1202) 225-1593 CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNeT: www.house.gov/colllnpeterson HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WASHINGTON, DC 20515 September 23, 2011

Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20591 Dear Administrator Babbitt: I am writing in support ofa Small Community Air Services Development PilotProgram Grant application made by Bemidji Regional Airport 

### (BJI) located in Bemidji, Minnesota. Bemidji Regional Airport has applied for the SCASD Grant in order to establish a travel desk at the airport. The objectives ofthis project are to provide full service transportation arrangement and assistance service-for residents, local business and industries, the university, local government and all in-bound travelers. The addition ofthis travel desk is intended to increase passenger traffic and lower leakage to Minneapolis-Saint Paul which will bothhelp to foster self-sustaining 

### air service. At this time, Bemidji Regional Airport serves a population of 120,000 from a sixty mile radius and is only served by DeltaAirlines and most travel arrangements are made through websites or toll free numbers. Creating a travel desk would allow the community to collect data ontravel

. patterns. 

### Intum, this data would be used to market to airlines and set up charter arrangements for popular destinations. This travel desk would also help build the local economy by serving as the coordination point for inbound travelers. Bemidji recently completed work on a convention center and sports complex that will serve the entire region. There is also a local international language camp that attracts visitors from around the world. Thetravel desk would facilitate access to the community for these visitors. Bemidji Regional Airport and the region would benefit greatly from the award ofthe SCASD pilotprogram 

### grant. Thankyou for your attention to this matter.

Collin C. Peterson Member ofCongress
------------------DISTRICTOFFICES------------------- 714 L4KE AvENUE

Sum 107 DETROIT lAKES. MN 56501 !2161 647-5056 FAx : 1216) 847·5109 1420 EAST COUEGE DRIVE M4RSHALL, MN 56258

!5071 537-2299 FAx : !5071 637·2298 MN WHEAT Gnowens 8UILD•Na 2603 WHEAT DRIVE RED LAKE FAlLS. MN 56760 (21 8) 253-4356 FAX: (2181 253-4373 CENTllE PoiNT MALL 320 4TH Srru:ET SW WillMAR, MN 5620 1

1320) 236·1061 FAX: {3201 235-2651U.S
. Department ofTransportation Federal Aviation Administration


### OCT 1 8 20\1

The Honorable Collin C. Peterson U.S. House ofRepresentatives Washlngton, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Peterson: 

### X 1-111 1 02-00 I

Office of Government and Industry Affairs 800 Independence Ave., SN

. Washington , DC 20591

Administrator Randolph Babbitt has asked me to respond to your letterregarding your support ofthe grant application ofBemidji Regional Airport in Bemidji, Minnesota

### into the Small Community 

### Air Service Development Pilot Program. The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) primary responsibilities are aviation safety, space efficiency and capacity enhancements. Issues pertaining to entry into the Small Community 

### Air Service Development Pilot Program are under thejurisdiction ofthe U.S. Department ofTransportation's Office ofAviation and International Affairs. I have forwarded you letterto that office at the following address: Assistant Secretary for Aviation

and International Affairs (X-1) U.S
. Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 I am confident you will receive a promptresponse to your concerns. Please contact me whenever I may be ofassistance at (202) 267-3277.

t Administratorfor ent and Industry Affairs