THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION \V,A.SHINGTON DC 20590

The Honorable Luis G. Fortufio Governor ofPuerto Rico San Juan, PR 0080I Dear GovernorFortufio: July 17, 2012

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the consortium between the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation for a·grant underthe U.S. Department ofTransportation's Small Community Air Service DevelopmentProgran1. The Small CommunityAir Service Development Program was established to help smaller communities address air service deficiencies, particularly issues related to.high airfares or insufficient service. Under the statute, the Department maymake a maximum of40 grant awards each year, although no more thanA awards may be to communities in the same State. In orderto provide communities with latitude in developing solutions to theirair service deficiencies, the statute provides flexibility in the types ofprojects that can be funded. On May 15, the Department issued an order requesting that communities interested in receiving a grant this year file their applications by June 11. As these grant requests are pending before the Department, I cannot commenton the merits ofany patiicularproposal. I assure you that the Department will give full and fair consideration to all proposals that have been properly filed. As is ournormal practice, I am placing a DOT-OST-2012-0069 as a contacto this program. ofyour letter ahd this response in Docket record ofthis matter. I app iate your interest inJun. 

### 8. 2012 3:56PM

Lu1s G. FoRTUiiiO GovERNoR June 11. 2012
The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretory
. OOVERNMENTOF PUERTO RICO



### U.S. Deportment ofTransportation 1200 NewJerseyAvenue, SE · Washington, D.C. 

### 20590 DearSecretary LaHood: · 

### No. 1691 P. l



### ...

On behalf of the 3.7 million U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico, Iwrite to express my full support for the application s.ubmltfed by the consortium between the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation {RIAC} (collectively, 

### the "Consortium"), under fha FY 2012 Small CommunHy Air Service·**Developm~nt**..Program, fo provide scheduled air service between the · munlcfpollfles ofCulebra and San Juan in Puerto Rlco and between Bloc!< Island

and Providence In Rhode Island. Throughout my administration, we ·have Implemented creative initiatives and new reforms to create a better business envfronmenf In Puerto Rico and position the Island forlong-term growth. ourtourism sectoris avital part ofour economy and our focus and efforts In .this sector continue to produce results, sustaining Puerto Rico's position as the largestairservices market In the Caribbean. ·This new direct service
.between Culebra and San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin Airport (SJ.U} provides a key addition to our ongoing efforts ond creates new · opportunities for Puerto Rico's residents and visitors. Dfrect airaccess to rich and ·unique tourist destinations in Puerto Rico, such as Culebra Island, Is essential fa expanding our tourism sector. This direct link to SJU increases accessibility to culepra Island and provides passengers with greater ease of connection to onward flights. This service would also provide economic benefits to the residents ond. IOC<;JI businesses of Culebra by providing greater access to governmentandcommercial services as well as business andJob opportunlfles ·
LA FOATAI.I!ZA, 8AHJUNt, PR00901 •PO Sax9020082, SNfJURI, PRll090Z.0082 Ta:(187)721·7000•f'NC (187)722-4300

### Jun. 8. 2012 3:56PM

The Honorable

### Ray LaHood Page2 

### June 11,2012 

### No. 1691 P. 2

ln the largermetropolitan oreo as well as Increasing the customer base for local hotel, restaurant and retail businesses. I thank you for your consl9eratlon of this proposal and look forward to**fh~** sucaessfullmplementaflon of fhis project underfhe FY 2012 Small CommunityAir Service Development Program. The Consortfum's proposed seasonal service to Culebra and Block Island Is vital for the continued economic and tourism developmentfn both Puerto Rico and Rhode Island. Sincerely,

Q I '