!-\ i 

THE FLORIDA SENATE COMMITTEES: 

Criminal Justice, Chair 

Tallahassee. Florida 32399-1100 ^PoTy and sTeering ^"'^''""' ' ^" ' ' \i';'•', / . .1 Environmental Preservation and Conservation 

cS 

c=> 

"ID 

'.- > —< 

1 

> 

^> 

V. ' 

V. ..•;;:>•,_ ; 

:3s: j^-r- n 

" '~2:: p 

•g§2 

^r^—^ 

oQo :::=- S'7 ^ 

CO 

,^ ( S-, -'.' ^ ' } Social Responsibility - Policy and steering 

i.j, "Vj •*.•"• .,' '• ' Transportation 

' \ c A ••'.'•", in '*' / Transportation and Economic Development 

'. |/-." *~p^ f -5 / Appropriations 

".•"t: V •'x^^ SELECT COMMITTEE: 

Florida's Inland Waters 

SENATOR PAULA DOCKERY JOINT COMMITTEE: 

15th District ''"'"'•= ^°""=^' o^s's'sw 

August l8, 2010 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secietaiy 

U. S. Department of Transportation 

400 7th Street, SW Room 10200 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood; 

I am pleased to support Lakeland Under Regional Airport's grant application for the 

U.S. Department of Transportation's Small Communit}'Air Sendee Development 

Program. I also support the Airpoit's goal of attracting low fare commercial sendee to 

the region in order to foster economic growth and improve quality of life options for the 

citizens in our community. The presence of a low fare carrier would play a pivotal role' 

in the future gro\\'th of the Lakeland and Polk Count)'. 

Both the Cit)' of Lakeland and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have 

recognized the importance of the airport to the region. The Citj' is investing over $1.4 

million on infrastructure projects in preparation for commercial sendee. Additionally, 

the Cit>' proxddes police and fire sendees at no cost to the airport, sa\dng over $450,000 

annually from the rate base which carriers would otherv\dse have to pay. In August 

2010, FDOT granted the airport $2.0 million to fund the improvements necessary to 

accommodate scheduled flight operations; these include ticketing areas, baggage claim, 

baggage make-up areas, sterile areas, the securit>' checkpoint, access controls, CCTV, 

additional facility' square footage, and offices for Transportation Securitj' 

Administration (TSA) personnel. 

Lakeland Linder Regional Airport currently operates under a Part 139 Certificate and is 

completing its work wAXh TSA. Lakeland Linder Regional Airport wdll be in a position to 

launch its commercial program in the beginning of 2611. Low fare sendee to Lakeland 

would benefit not only our region, but also those small communities where the flights 

^^^ll operate, pro\dding those cities wdth the economic benefit of stimulated air travel and 

lower airfares. The funds from the grant will be used exclusively at non-primaiy 

REPLY TO: 

a Post Office Box 2395, Lakeland. Florida 33806-2395 (863) 413-2900 Toll Free: 1-866-248-6487 

a 302 Senate Office Building. 404 South Monroe Street. Tallahassee. Florida 32399-1100 (850) 487-5040 

Senate's Website: vmv/.flsenale.gov 

JEFF ATWATER MIKE FASANO 

President of tfie Senate President Pro Tempore 
August 18, 2010 

Page 2 

airports, where low fare carriers can capitalize on the lower infrastructure costs to 

permit lo\ver fares for passengers. 

Lakeland is located between the major metropolitan centers of Orlando and Tampa 

along the Interstate-4 Corridor. Lakeland is a designated stop on the High Speed Rail 

system currently under development, and is sensed by major U.S. and State highways, 

including the convenient loop expressway, SR 570 (Polk ParkwajO, \vhich will enable 

easy access to and from the Airport. These ground transportation alternatives are 

available to move air travelers from the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport to their final 

destinations wdthin Polk Count}', or to neighboring Hillsborough and Orange Counties. 

Lakeland is v\dthin an hour's drive of the popular tourist destinations of the Tampa Bay 

Suncoast and the Greater Orlando area major theme paries Walt Disney World and 

Universal Studios. Marketing money from the grant wdll be used not only to raise 

awareness about Lakeland's easy access to Orlando and Tampa, but also to establish 

Polk County as a convenient and affordable lodging alternative for tourists washing to 

take advantage of both destinations. This wdll significantly enhance hotel, rental car, 

restaurant and local attraction revenue for the region, as well as pro\dde greatly needed 

emploj'ment opportunities. 

Central Florida has been one of the hardest hit areas in the nation by the economic 

recession, and the increased traffic that the Air Sendee would bring would be extremely 

beneficial not only to this Region, but also to the State of Florida through added tourist 

and business travel as well as job creation and sustainability. I therefore strongly 

support Lakeland Linder Regional Airport's inclusion in the Small Community Air 

Service Development Program because of its importance to the economic recovery of the 

Region. 

Warm Regards, 

Paula Dockeiy 

Florida Senate, District 15