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### THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTOI'J DC 20590



### The Honorable Kay R. Hagan United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Hagan: July 17, 2012



### Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the Asheville 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 issues related to high airfares or insufficient service. Under the 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 Department issued an orderrequesting that communities interested in receiving a grant this year file their applications by June 

### II. 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 full and fair consideration to all proposals that havebeen properly filed. As is our normal practice, I am placing a c DOT-OST-2012-0069 as a contact outsid this program. fyour letter and this respon record ofthis matter. I aP. te your interest inKAY A. I-lAGAN

. NORHI CAROLINA

## ·~:tnitcd**~totes ~cnatc**  WASHINGTON, DC 20510

The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary U.S. Depm1ment ofTransportation 400 71 h Street, SWRoom 10200 Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Secretary LaHood: Jtme 7,.2012 701 GRfEN VALlEY AOAO, SUITE 101 GRHN:>OOI10. tiC 27•106 !3'61 JJJ
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### Ithas recently come to my attention that the Asheville Regional Airporthas submittedto your office an application for funding through the Small CommunityAir Service Development grant program. Nestled inthe beautiful mountains ofWestern North Carolina (WNC), the City ofAsheville is a vibrant city that is a frequent tourist destination forNorth Carolinians and visitors to the state. 

### In addition to the cultural andrecreational asse.t$ thatAsheville boasts, the City also con#nues to diversify its economic footprint byrecruiting**~:msiness** and industry from across the country. The Asheville areais rapidly growing, and enhanced air service is imperative to the economic vitality ofthe area. ., .:.. Western North Carolina has a noted connection to the Denver market- both from a leisure and business travel perspective. I understm1d that 5% ofinboundtravelef:s:come from Colorado, and many more from otherwestern states. There has also been a significantincrease inbusiness development in Asheville from Colorado and western state-based businesses. Recently, two Colorado-based breweries announcedplans to build operations in the Asheville service area and this is a market that has greatpotential in WNC. I understand that the AshevilleRegional Airporthas recently suffered the loss oflow-cost air catTier AirTran Airways, and as a result, the airport has seen airfares begin to rise to levels much greaterthan theircompetitors. The Asheville Regional 

### Airport has puttogether a two-told plan to mitigate the rising air fares they are experiencing due to the loss ofAirTran. Therequested funds through this grant program 

### wiJl facilitate theirefforts to implement this plari, and lay the groundwork for further growth in the Asheville area. With this in mind, I encouragethe full and fair consideration ofthe Asheville Regional Airport's proposal as expeditiously as possible, consistent with your statutory and regulatory guidelines. Should you have anyquestions or concerns, please contact Chris Sgroofmy staffat (336) 333- 5311, extension 27.

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# ~(R. Hagan 

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United States Senator 

### : 510-120613-022