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ItaraportCrtion Washmgton, DC 20590 

Office of the Secretary ccp n A ?ni1 

of Transportation Otr / u LUM 

The Honorable Kathleen C. Hochul 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congress woman Hochul: 

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Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the Niagara County 

Department of Economic Development for a grant imder the Small Community Air 

Service Development Program (Small Community 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 Department may use the funds to make a maximum of 40 grant 

awards each year, although no more than four may be to commimities 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 

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-2011-0119 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, 

Aloha Ley 

Associate Director 

Small Community Program 
u(XKATKI'EEN C. HOCHUL I7ii LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING.. 

26TH DISTRICNFW YORK '^*'"'''o°\T.''^if^^ ^ ' 1 

(202)225-5265 

Congress; of tfje ^niteti States 

l^ousie of i^epresentatibes 

TOagfjington, ©C 20515-3226 

July 28, 2011 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

8'" Floor, Room W86-310 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington D.C. 20590 

Re: Niagara County Center for Economic Development 

Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant Application 

To Whom It May Concern, 

I am writing in strong support of the Niagara County Center for Economic Development 

(NCCED) application to the US Department of Transportation Small Community Air Service 

Development Program (SCASDP). The NCCED proposes to request funds designed to provide 

financial assistance to help enhance air service operations and marketing of the Niagara Falls 

International Airport (NFIA). 

The NFIA is an attractive alternative to currently congested major North American 

International airports. With its 10,825 ft. main runway, 24-hour operation (no curfews), 24 hr. 

operations services, excellent access to inspection agencies, and price competitive landing fees, 

the NFIA is ideally suited and strategically located to accommodate various types of aviation 

operations suited for business and leisure use. The close proximity of the airport to the 

Canada/USA border, its location just off a major highway, and its central location to the Canada 

and USA population base, offer great economic advantages. 

Significant developments and investment has been made at the airport. This has 

created private investment throughout the community and has secured additional 

transportation needs and opportunities. Grant funding from the SCASDP is needed to ensure 

that these new developments continue to grow. 

, The local stakeholder community cannot completely fund their marketing airport 

initiatives and provide incentives to entice additional airline carriers. Federal assistance is 

needed to 

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RATH'-EEW C. HOCHUL 1711 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDIMG 

2GlH DiSTPin, NEVJ YIIRK WASHINGTON, DC 20515 

(202)225-6265 

Congresfs; of t\}t Winitth States! 

jlouge of i^epresientatibes 

Masrtjinston, BC 20515-3226 

complete this important task. A SCASDP award will help expand the airport's existence, bring 

greater involvement to the community while enhancing economic competiveness. 

I am confident that the NCCED grant request will greatly improve quality of life 

throughout Western New York and act as a model initiative that could assist future airlines to 

invest throughout our community that benefits stakeholders and tourist to our region. 

In closing, I would like to go on record in support of their application and I urge you to 

consider this application favorably. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this 

application or the proposed project, please do not hesitate to contact my office. 

Sincerely, 

/^stL fIttAj 

Kathy C. Hochul 

Member of Congress 

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