## THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON DC 20590



## The Honorable Glenn Thompson U.S. House ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515 

## Dear Congressman Thompson: July 17, 2012



## Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the Williamsport Regional Airport for a grant under the U.S. Department ofTransportation's Small Community Air Service Development Program. The Small Community Air Service Development Program was established to help smaller communities address air service deficiencies, particularly**iss~es** 

## related to high airfares or insufficient service. Underthe statute, the Department may make a maximum of40 grant awards each year, although no more than 4 awards 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 provides flexibility in the types ofprojects that can be funded. On May 15, the Depru1ment 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 comment on the merits ofany particular proposal. I assure you that the Department will give fu1l and fair consideration to all proposals that have been properly filed. ofyour letter and this respons · Docket record ofthis matter. Iap ··ci e your interest in this program.· ..:t t1 !f\! ., i 

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The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary ofTransportation

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# ;s)onse of**~~\cpres.lentntihe%** June 18, 2012

U.S. Department ofTransportation 400 

## ih Street, S.W. Washington DC 20590

Dear SecretarylaHood, Re: Small Communitv Air Service Develogment Grant Docket**DOT~2012-0069 '~**  ( .,/' ' •II !. I,/ • '0•• ,.!;

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With great pleasure I extend my enthusiastic supportto the Williamsport Regional Airport in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, forthe airport's application to secure a Small CommunityAir Service· Development Grant. Since 2008 the City ofWilliamsport has become the hub of Pennsylvania's burgeoning Marcellus natural gas extraction industry. More than 100 energy companies operate; in the region along with thousands of individuals, and their families, who nowwork at solid well-payingjobs associated with the gas industry. Affordable and quality local air service is essential to Williamsport's ability to supportthe rapid Marcellus gas business expansion. I was amazed to learn that Williamsport has lostjust about halfits air service capacity since 2004. Also, Williamsport has had, with rare exception, the highest airfares In Pennsylvania for the past several years. Yet despite the declining service and increasing air fares, Williamsport traffic is increasing, up 27% in just the past two years. I have been told the airport's SCASD grant request for $500,000 has wide communitysupport. Area economic development agencies and foundations have matched and surpassed the grant request amount by pledging $550,000 to assist the Williamsport Regional Airport in recruiting new air service. Once more I stress my support for the airport, the community and the larger region in general in this endeavor. I request that you give all due consideration to this application. If you have further questions please contact me at anytime.

GT/mg Sincerely,**~** 

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## ...._**u....._~r~** Glenn "GT" Thompson Member of Congress

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