THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

September 09, 2011 

^OP 

^ENT OF 

JPERATIONS 

8 A '1: 2S 

The Honorable Susan M. Collins 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senator Collins: 

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the Aubum-Lewiston Municipal 

Airport 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 TrOTsportation may make a maximum of 40 grant awards each 

year, allhougli 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, I am sure you understand that I cannot comment on the merits of any particular 

proposal. 1 can assure 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-2011-Ql 19 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. 
SUSAN M. dOLLINS 

SI 0-110726-001 

COMMtmfS; 

' MAINC iroMJUNOStCURiTYANI) 

OOVCRNMENTAL AFFAIRS 

WA9«l»«3TON, DC }0iltn9O4 WfKO'WATSmS 

,.x^A.. lanitm States ^tnate ^^ ^ 

WASHINGTON, DC 20510-1904 

.luly 18,2011 

Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

400 7* Street SW 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

J am writing to express my support for the Auburn- Lewiston Municipal Airport's 

proposal under the Small Community Air Service Development program. The SCASD plans to 

use this assistance to help establish the Auburn- Lewiston Municipal Airport as a major gateway 

for national, commercial air transportation in central Maine. I ask that you give this proposal all 

appropriate consideration during the review process. 

The purpose of SCASD is to address deficiencies in communities with insufficient air 

service. Currently, the closest airport to the Levviston-Auburn region that provides 

passenger service is located more than 45 minutes away. This distance is not only 

inconvenient for those living in central Maine; it inhibits economic growth in the region. This 

expansion project would allow the Auburn- Lewiston airport to help enhance the economic well 

being of the area. 

The Lewiston-Aubum region has grown significantly in both population and 

importance in recent years. The expansion project proposed by the Aubum-Lewiston airport 

would attract more business jets, larger cargo planes, and passenger service, helping to 

promote economic conditions in central Maine and provide convenience for those who live 

in the Lewiston-Aubuni area. I commend the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport for its 

progressive, detail-oriented plan. 

It is with this in mind that 1 express my support of the airports' expansion under the 

Small Community Air Service Development Program. 

Sincerely, 

Susan M. Collins 

United States Senator 

SMC: cwk 

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