### THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590



### The Honorable TammyBaldwin United StatesSenate Washington, DC 20510

Dear SenatorBaldwin: August 26,2013

Thankyou for your letter supporting the proposal submittedby the LaCrosse Municipal Airport for a grant under the U.S. DepartmentofTransportation's Small Community Air Service Development Program.
The Small CoilliliunityAirSerVice Development Program was establishedtohelp smaller COU1ll1unities address air service deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares or insufficient service. Under the statute, the Departmentmay make a maximum of40 grant awards each year, although no more than four awards maybe to communities inthe san1e State. In order to provide communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service deficiencies, the statuteprovides flexibility in the types ofprojects that can be funded.
On June 24, the Departmentissued an orderrequestingthat communities interested inreceiving a grant this year file theirapplications by July 26. As these grant requests arependingbefore the Department, I cannot comment onthe merits ofany particularproposaL I assure you that the Departmentwill give 

### f11ll and fair consideration to all proposals that have been properly filed.

As is our standard practice, I amplacing a copy ofyour letter and thisresponse in Docket DOT-OST-:2013-0120 as a contact outside the record ofthismatter. I appreciate your interestin this program.

Anthony R. FoxxTAMMY BALDWIN 1\'ISCONSiN 

# ·united**~rotrs ~rnotr**  WASHINGTON, DC 20510 July 25, 2013
The Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary 

### U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590

DearSecretary Foxx: COMMITTEoS: HEALTH, EDUGATIQN, LA60Ft AND PENSIONS
BUDGET
SPECIAL COMMlTTl'.'E ON AGING
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVEf1NMENTAL AFFAif1S

lt is my pleasureto offer my support for theLa Crosse Area Development Corporation's application for funding from the

### AllportSmall CommunityAirService Development Grant program through the U.S. Department ofTransportation, As you know, this funding will assist in increasing essential and necessary services at the La Crosse Municipal Airport to better support local and. regional economic expansion. The CFDA number is 20.930, and the Funding Opportunity Number is DOT-OST-2013- 

### 0120.

The La Crosse Municipal Airport, serving the La Crosse Metropolitan area including west-central Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota, and northeastern Iowa, while located in the central business district ofLa Crosse, Wisconsin, has in recent years, seen air service and passenger voJume decrease largely due to major airline bankruptcies, subsequent mergers, and the continuing increase infuel costs and ticket prices. Even more so, the La Crosse region has been faced with 58% less passenger traffic due to competing larger area airports lower ticket costs, direct flight availability, and flight frequency. Grant funding would help the La Crosse Municipal Airport to attract a new low fare carrierorexpand current services to keep pace with the growing needs ofthe area's business community. The introduction ofa new airline or additional non-stop destinations could stimulate the currentbusiness market, as well as attract the attention ofnewbusinesses, many who require the convenience ofair travel with lower price tickets, as well asmore efficient routing to their final destination. Funding for this project is critical and will not only ensure affordable and accessible air services for La Crosse area residents, but for the growing economic development ofthe La Crosse Metropolitan Area.
As you know, providing communities like the La Crosse Municipal Airport with the resources needed to enhance and sustain their current and future air services for the economic betterment ofthe area's residents and business community is vital. I ask thatyou give full and fair consideration to the La Crosse Area Development Corporation's application for funding. Please do not hesitate to contact TifHmy Henry in my Milwaukee Senate office directly at ( 414) 297-4451 should you have any additional questions. Thankyou for your assistance and attention with this request.

Sincerely,

Tammy Baldwin United States Senator