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OCT 2 2 20W 

The Honorable Tim Murphy L.: 

U.S. House of Representatives -^r^r ;~-

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Murphy: -i 

Thank you for your letter addressed to Associate Director Aloha Ley, supporting the 

proposal submitted by the Westmoreland County Airport Authority for a grant under 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. A 

total of $7 million v^all be available for grant awards in Fiscal Year 2010. Under the 

statute, the Department may use the ftinds to make a maximum of 40 grant awards each 

year, although no more than four 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 significant flexibility in how the financial assistance 

may be used. 

On July 30, the Department issued an order requesting that communities interested in 

receiving a grant this year file their applications by August 27. 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-2010-0124 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, 

Todd Homan 

Director, Office of Aviation Analysis 
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August 19, 2010 

Aloha Ley, Associate Director 

Small Community Air Service Development Program, X-55 

Us Department Of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Dear Associate Director Ley. 

I am in receipt of correspondence from the Westmoreland County Airport Authority (WCAA), 

operators of the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport (LBE) located in Unity Township, 

Pennsylvania. WCAA has applied for the Small Community Air Service Development Program 

and I write to you today on their behalf. 

Westmoreland County has a population of approximately 400,000, and the airport has the 

potential of serving up to 750,000 residents of the Greater Pittsburgh area. The Arnold Palmer 

Regional Airpon began servicing commercial flights to Pittsburgh International (PIT) in the 

1980's. The departure of US Airways from the region and the bankruptcy of Northwest Airlines 

commercial service at the hub have left LBE solely servicing charter flights. Recently, LBE has 

contracted with Vision Airlines to provide commercial service to Orlando. With funding through 

this program, LBE will expand its marketing abilities to attract business, educational institutions, 

and recreational travelers. The Westmoreland County Airport Authority also plans to use this 

funding to expand awareness of the airport's potential as a hub to PIT, known as 'The Pittsburgh 

Connector." 

I urge you to give this proposal for funding your full and fair consideration. Tharilc you for your 

time and attention to this matter. * 

Sincerely, 

Tim Murphy 

Member of Coi\gress 

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