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. i . - • 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 11 c nan/^rtm^ant Assistant Secretary i<:uune ~^ ^/^^^^^ 

U.5. DeparTmen T ' Washington, DC 20590 

of Transportation 

Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

August 19, 2011 

Ms. Robin Sullenbefger, CEO 

Shenandoah Valley Partnership, Inc. 

P.O. Box 2241 

Harrisonburg, VA 22801 

Dear Ms. Sullenberger: 

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 respond on his behalf 

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 Department may use the funds to make a maximum of 40 grant 

awards each year, although no more than four 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 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 cannot comment on the 

merits of any particular proposal. I assure you, however, that the Department will give 

fiill 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-2011-0II9 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 

free to call me. 

Sincerely yours, 

j]{^to 

Susan L. Kurland 

Assistant Secretary for 

Aviation and International Affairs 
W^mm)2'0mSI)pn.!ndo.in V.illcy Partnership, !r'.c. (yiO) 568.3100 

P.O. Sox .??4i (540I [,68.1170 fnx 

H.iinsonburs, Virgim.T .vSoi svip.'iimu.cdu 

www.shen3,ido.ih-v.nlli"V.biz 

Shenandoah 

PARTNERSHIP 

July 6, 2011 

Ray LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

United States Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue 

SE Washington D.C. 20590 

Dear Mr. LaHood: 

1 am writing to you today on behalf of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, a regional economic development organization 

that represents all jurisdictions included in the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission. We strongly support 

the Grant Application before the Department of Transportation by the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission 

under the Small Community Air Service Development Program. 

We value the many benefits of our regional airport and have invested significantly in its development over the years. SVP 

has partnered with the Airport in past endeavors of this type and considers it both an honor and responsibility to support 

initiatives that help ensure stable commercial air service in the region. The Airport is critical to the economic vitality of 

our region and its future. Our community was dramatically impacted in the months and years following September 11, 

2001. Prior to 2001, our community had proven that given the viable and economical access, it can sustain unsubsidized 

air service. 

United Express service to Washington Dulles International Airport has brought greatly improved fares along with 

improved connectivity for our passengers. Colgan also upgraded the aircraft used in the market. This represents the first 

substantive improvement in our service in many years. 

Initial response to this change has been very favorable; however, our challenge as a community is to communicate this 

improvement in air service, fares and equipment. To continue overcoming past years of less than desirable service, an 

aggressive, sustained marketing campaign is needed to adequately communicate this positive change. The cost of 

implementing such a program exceeds available local resources. 

Should the Department of Transportation award a grant to the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission, we feel 

strongly that it would result in improved passenger traffic, increased revenue for the carrier and lessen or possibly 

eliminate our community's reliance for subsidy under the Essential Air Service Program. 

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this application. 

Sincerely, 

'^S^SiLL ^ 

Robin Sullenberger, CEO 

Shenandoah Valley Partnership 

Cities: Stit'na Vista Harrisonburg Lexington Staunton Wnynesboro Counties: Auqusta Both Hiijhlanri Rnrktiriiqe !-''jikinrjhati