PATRICK T

. McHENRY I.IEWIIER Of COH<HSS l Olli DISTRICT, NOI!1li CAJIOUNA 224 CAHIKlH HOU:5E OffCE 6\IWI.NG WA$1!1HGTOH, IlC 20515 (202) 225.15111**FAX:(21!7)~16 '"'"'-** **~** COIIMTlret FINANCIAl SERVICES GOVERNMEHT REFORM 

### June 8, 2012 

# 6>cmgrt1fs cfthe 

# lltnited 0Statt1f c:::Jie;ustJ 

## of**CiJ?.epratJJ1/tdi~** CVf?tr:rlllil§lott. d;JJf3' 

### 20S I S-33I0

The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary 

### U.S. Department ofTransportation 400 7th Street, SW Room I0200 Washington, D.C. 20590

Re: DOT-OST-2012-0069 Small Community Air Service Development Grant Dear Secretary LaHood, • : . t • • 

# .:**~** 

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## ..**~** 

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## .. .. ;**~ ~~** **~~ ~ES:**  87 FOURTH SffiEET,rtN**~** 

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# , _)**~*HC2~** (828) 32H100 Fa: (828)**327~11** SPRUCe PINE TO'MI HAll SPRVCf PIHE. NC 'l!m (8211) 76S-2129 FAX: (829) 16S-11UI
3ft EAST MIIRlOH STREET SUITE lit SHElBY, NC 180SO

(104j48J.05711 fAX: (704)ol81.o757



## r am writing to express my support for the grant request submitted by Asheville Regional Airport for a Small Community Air Service**Develop~nent** 

### Grant. 

### In 

### addition to addressing the problem ofhigher than average air fares, receipt ofthis grant would enable the Asheville Regional Airport to provide services in an area hit hard by substantial economic di

_ stress. Several counties in my district within the Asheville

· Regiomil Airport's service region are exiting a decade where unemployment increased over 750%. These counties are working 

### to recover from an unemployment rate nearly twice the national average, and the support provided by this grant will enhance economic stability for both business access and travel and tourism. In 

### addition to the program merits, it is important to consider in reviewing this request that the Asheville Regional Airport has considerable support and cooperation from the local community and region. As my 

### office has participated 

### in regional meetings with representatives from local government, area business and tourism representatives, as well as economic development experts, it is evident that the airpmt is a critical link in the overoll economic health ofthe 

### area .. I 

### wholeheartedly support this application. If I 

### may provide further assistance that would help Asheville Regional Airport receive this grant, please do not hesitate to contact my office. I am sure that your office will give Asheville Regional Airpott's application all proper consideration given current rules, regulations and statutes. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,

# !!::§2~ Member ofCongress PTM/lrn



### 510-120621-004

## ~orl~ alar.olina:

## ~.en.eral~.emhlu ·**~I.l'llile** n£**~.eserrln:tiUes**

### ~ute**2fi-e_sislnti~** 

### l/iuilOinB**~ul.ei£1}. ~(ll**  

### 27601-1096
COMMITTEES: REPRESENTATIVE CHUCK MCGRADY APPROPRIATIOM:!I I 17TH OIBTfUCT APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITT&.It ON OPf'tca: Aoonr.ss: t 8 W. JONft8 STRIUtT, tlOOM 410 A RAI.fliGH, NC 2.7601-1096 TRAHBPORT

...TIOH ENVIRONMENTJ VtCit CHAIRMAN JUDICIAflY iCU.
.. EPHOH&:: (9 19) 733·!59!56 (0 I 9) 754•33 16 FAM
EMAIL! ctluck.mcgrady@rlclag.net JUD1GIARY SU&COMMITTE.e: ON CIVIl. LAW TAANSPORTATtoN HOME AODAEAS: PO BOX 72.3 HIEND£RSOHVILI.2., NC 28793 T«LEPHOHE : (82.81 692.•3896

The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary U.S. Department of Transpor:tation 400 7tn Street, 

## sw Room 10200 Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Secretary LaHood: June 4, 2012

I support the Asheville Regional Airport's Small Community Air Service Development Grant, which will allow for new and improved service in the western region of our state. This region is growing, and enhanced air service is imperative to the economic vitality of the area. Quality air service aids our P.conomy through improved access for visitors, tourism and is important to business growth and retention.
The western region has a noted connection to the Denver market
- both from a leisure and business travel perspective. While I know that 5% of inbound travelers come from Colorado, and many more from the west, I'm particularly aware of the connection because my daughter attended summer camp In Colorado, and flew that route eath'ye&r; Moreover, significant business development Is occurring by Colorado and western state-based businesses in the Western North Carolina region. Enhanced air service to and from Denver and western states is a positive fit for the direction of growth our region is experiencing. However, we have experienced the loss of low-cost air carrier AirTran in the past year, and as a result, have seen airfares begin to rise to levels much greater than our competltbrs are experiencing.



### 510-120621-014The Asheville Regiona l Alrport has put together a two-fold plan to mitigate the rising air fares i t Is experiencing due to the loss of AirTran Airways this year
. First, the plan focuses on attracting another low-cost air service provider to serve the Denver market, and potentially additional markets lost when AirTran was acquired by Southwest. Second, the plan ensures that sufficient marketing will occur to support the new low-fare carrier's success In the WNC market, and includes a focus on strengthening the newly formed travel advisory group - a !=Onsortl!-lm of business leaders, economic developers and tourism representatives who meet quarterly to discuss air service needs, advocacy and utilization.
I support of the Asheville Regional Airport's grant request. 

# :L

Rep

. Chuck McGrady



## - .



# s 10-120621-014

## ~nrt~ 

## Olnrnlimt 

## ®emrru**~emhl1J ~ouse**  

### of 

### ;!Jkpresentuti(t.es

REPRESE N TATIVE PATSY KEEVER 1 15TH DISTRICT 0F"F fC E ADDRESS : i 317**l.EG SLATIV~**  BVH
.. OtNG 16 W. JONES STR£ £ T**RAL~ GH** **,** NC 2760 1 -1096 TtLEPHONt : (919) 733 · 6743 (9 1 9 ) 754 • 3244 FAX EMA.IL : patsy

.keever@ncleg

.net DISTRICT : 9UNCOMBK COUNTY

The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary U.S

. Department ofTransportation 400 

### 7'h Street, SW Room I0200 Washington, D

.C. 20590 Dear Secretary LaHood : June 4, 2012 COMMITTEES : AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS APPROPR I ATIONS JUSl" I Cit ANO PUBLIC S AF'E TY ENV I RONMENT GOV£RNMENT STATE PERSONN E L

I am pleased to write in strong support ofthe AshevHie Regional Airport's Small Community Air Service Development Grant, which will allow for new and improved service in the western region ofour state
. Our region is growing, and enhanced air service is imperative to the economic vitality ofthe area. Quality air service aids our economy through improved access for visitors, tourism and is important to business growth and retention. The western region has a noted connection to the Denver market

- both from a leisure and business travel perspective

. We know that 5% of inbound travelers come from Colorado, and many more from the west. Also, signifiCant business development•is occurring by Colorado and western state-based businesses in the Western North Carolina region

. Enhanced air service to and from Denver and western states is a positive 

### fit for the direction of growth this region is experiencing

. The Asheville Regional Airport has put together a two-fold plan to mitigate the rising air fares they are experiencing due to the loss of AlrTran Airways this year. The plan focuses on attracting another. low

-cost ai r service provider to serve the Denver market, and potentially additional markets lost when AirTran was acquired by Southwest. Second, the plan ensures that sufficient marketing will occur to support the new low-fare carrier's success in the WNC market, and includes a focus on strengthening the newly formed travel advisory group. Thank you for your consideration 

### ofthe Asheville Regional Airport ' s 

### grant request. · Sincerely, 

# 0 

# kwJ**Repres~e** Patsy Keever NC House District II 

### 5

- Buncombe County

PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST



### 510-120621-007REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN C

. FISHER I 14TH OISTAICT 

## !1ortq QJarolina ®emrnlJ\ssemhllJ**~ou.s.e** 

### of**~presetrluti&es** 

### c:§tme lfiegislmi&.e**~uflliing ~u~isfl,** **~(!I** 

### 2760l-lll96

June 4, 2012

The Honorable Ray 

### LaHood, Secretary 

### U.S. Department ofTransportation 

### 400 7th Street, SW Room 

### I0200 Washington, D.C

. 20590
Dear Secretary LaHood: I am pleased to write in strong support of the Asheville Regional Airport's Small Community Air Service Development Grant, which 

### will allow for new and improved service in the western region of our state. Our region is growing, and enhanced 

### air service is imperative to the economic vitality of the area. Quality air seFVice aids out· ec(momy through · improved access for visitors, tourism and is important to business growth and retention. The western region has a noted connection to the Denver market

- both from a leisure and business travel perspective. We know that 5% of inbound travelers come from Colorado, and many more from**th~** 

### west. Also, significant business development is occurring by 

### Colorado and western state-based businesses in the Western North Carolina region. Enhanced air service to and from Denver and western states is a positive 

### fit for the direction of growth this region is experiencing.
The 

### Asheville Regional Airport has put 

### together n 

### two-fold plan to mitigate the rising air fares lhey arc 

### experiencing due 

### to 

### the loss of 

### AirTrail Airways this 

### year. The 

### plan focuse-s on attrscting another low-cost air service provider to· serve the 

### Denver market, and .Potentially additional marketS lost when AirTran

### w~s acquired by Sou

. thwest. Second, the plan ensures that sufficient marketing will occur. to support the new low-fare carrier's success in the WNC market, and · includes a focus on strengthening the

.newly formed travel advisory group.**~** . 

### Having been a mtmber of the Regional Airport Board, this is a major concern to me. Anything that expands our ability to meet the needs of our individuals and business clients is of utmost importance. I wholeheartedly support this request. Thank you for your consideration ofthe Asheville Regional Airport's grant request. Sincerely,

# ~~- /

. . : 

### Representative Susan Fisher NC House District 114- Buncombe County


### S10-120621-008 

# {)HEATH SHULER 11TH DISTRICT, NoRTH CAROUNA

229 CANHDH ttoua: Omc£ BUU<HG WMJUIIOYOH, 

### oc 20$\6 Ptrom**(20212~1** FAA (202)228-6422 20S CCUE<II SIAC!T,**Surt~** 100 A<H!.Vt<LP, NC 211801 PtfOHt 1828) 21;2-1051 f.v< (828) 25Hl7J4 

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# mepr.egentntfueu llulfiJlllgtou,l!Kit 20515-3311

June 

### 6, 

### 2012

The Honot-able Ray LaHood, Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation
· 400 

## i 11 

### Street, SW Room 10200

Washington, D.C. 20590 Dear Secretary LaHood: Co-C>tlllll COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE**SUICOM~UrTU** OH

IOOK\'/AY¥11110 TMmrr**SU!COfJ~Im« o~**  ECONOMIC 0£vnOPM!I/T, l'USLIC 8UII.COitG8, "'"'E•<tM<NCY MmMJU<tN r COMMITTEE ON THE BUOGn YHE STEEIUNG AND POLICY COMMITTEE llratoiiAL Wtu,



### I 

## am writing to you today in suppo11 the Asheville Regional Aitport's Small Community Air Service Development Grant. This grant will allow for new and improved services in the westorn region of our state. This region is growing, and enhanced air service is imperative to the economic vitality of the area. Quality air service aids our economy through improved access for visitors, tourism a11d is important to business growth and retention. The western region has a noted**conn~tion** 

### to the**~enver** 

### market

- both fi"Otn 

### a leisure and business travel perspective. I know that 

### 5% of inbound travelers come from Colorado, a11d many more from the \vest. Also, significant business development is occurring by Colorado and western**state~based** 

### businesses in t.he Western North Carolina region. Enhanced air service to and ft·om Denver and western states is a positive fit for the direction of growth this region is cxpcdencing. However, they have experienced the loss of low-cost air carrier AirTmn in the past year, and as a result, have seen airfares begin to rise to levels muoh greater than their competitors are experiencing. The Asheville Regional Airport has put together a**two~**

### fold plan to mitigate the rising air fares they are e:werlencing due to the loss ofAirTran AiiWays this year. Specifically, the plan focuses first on attmcting 

### anothet·**low~cost** 

### air service provider to serve the Denver market, and potentially additional mat'kets lost when AirTran was acquired by Southwest. Second, the pJan ensures that sufficient marketing will occur to support the new**low~fru:e** 

### carrier's success in the WNC market, and includes a focus on strengthening the newly formed travel advisory group - a consortium of business leaders, economic developers and tourism representatives who meet quarterly to discuss air service needs, advocacy and utilization.

rnttrn DOlllllCI'ClEO PAP(A 

### 510-120621-003**'*****~** .. .. . 

### The Honorable Ray 

### LaHood, Secretary June 6, 2012 Page2

Your time and consideration of the Asheville Regional Air port's grant request would be greatly appreciated

. 

### Sincerely,

Heath Shuler Member of Congress HS/jvc



# ..

riUIITt00/1**~ECYCUD** roV'flt 

### 510-120621-003 . 

# ..

, .



### •:: t. Y R H/I.Ci;\i'l
: . ; t ·

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WA SHI NG TO i': , DC 2 05 10



### The Honorable 

### Ray LaHood, Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation 400 

## 7' 11 

### Street, SW Room I0200 Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Secret ary La Hood : 

### June 7, 2012**l•'! t~** **cc .:;**  ... d r r ··, ( •



### It has recently come to my attention that the Asheville Regional Airport has submitted to your office an application for funding through the Small Community Air Service Development grant program. Nestled in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina (WNC), the City of Asheville is a vibrant city that is a frequent tourist destination for North Carolinians and visitors to the state
. In addition to the cultural and recreational assets that Asheville boasts, the City also continues to diversify its economic footprint by recruiting business and industry from across the country. The Asheville area is rapidl y growing. and enhanced air service is imperative to the economic vitality ofthe area . Western North C arolina has 

### a noted connection to the Denver market- both fro m a leisure and business travel perspective

. I understand that 5% of inbound travelers come from Colorado, and many more from other western states. There has also been a significant increase in business development 

### in Asheville from Colorado and western**state~based** 

### businesses. Recently , two Colorado

-based breweries announced plans to build operations in the Asheville service area and this is 

### a market 

### that has great potential in WNC. I understand that the Asheville Regional Airport has recently suffered the loss of**low~cost** 

### air carrier AirTran Airways . and a s a 

### result, the airport has seen airfares begin to rise to levels much greater than 

### their competitors

. 1 he 

### Ashevt lle Regi onal Airport has 

### put together a two-told plan to mitigate the ris ing air fares they are experiencing due to the Jos s of AirTran . The requested funds through this grant program will facilitate their efforts to implement this plan, and lay the groundwork for further growth in the Asheville area. With this in mind, 

### I encourage the 

### full and fair consideration of the Asheville Regional Airport's proposal as expeditiously as possible, consistent with your statutory tmd regulatory guidelines

. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Chris Sgro of my staff at (336) 333- 5311, extension 27.

# ~y,e95Z~

# '~~~R Hagan :; Unite d Stales Senator 

### 510-120613-022

## J1orth**<!C.nolin~1 ~?h~nrral** **~sstmiJlP** 

### }!)oust of 

## 1\rprrs·rntatil.Jrs

Rf': PRE SS NT ;\T i VE T IWDI IV t \LEND l !Jiil Dtstn ct: r'o lk ,**r<~n sy** **·l\'an;''·** S. !Jemlerson
O ffice : 50-1 Ler,ts! a ttn· Offi c e**Butlchn~** 300 N Sahs b 1.11V Stn·et Rakt r, h. NC ' 2760 .1·5925**1o ne·** **:** (91 <J) 71 s- 4 <166 fAX: !9 19) 754
- 328 8 Email**-u J.t** **. ~\r:** **r.l!~h~. ~ll** **..IJ s:!**  !);strict: 147 Ri d ge wo od PL Bre\'nrd, NC 28/' 12
-9561 Home : !828) 883 -:3 7 ' l0 E n1aii :**L\~ !~** **h~ ~~** **cOl!J .:.** **s.,!** 

### ,June 

### 5 , 2012 The Honorable Ray LaHood.**Secretar~ ·**  

### U

. S. Department of Trnnspot1ation 400 7'h 

### Street SW Room 10200 Washington. 

### D.C. 20590 Dear Sccre!ary LaHood:**O~. !t,II** **TT I.** **~ES**

..\ gn cu! c ure .\prropnalions Ap propn at ton s**~tbroJ ltlllttl'** **r** nn**!l~ fn·** **c** ancl P u b! ! c S : ti'CT\ Gm·c t nm c-11 1

,Ju dJC ii?.l )**~uhc.omnntlrc** [3 Stn t , · Pers onnel



### I 

### strongly support 

### the Asht:villc Regional Airport's Small Community 

### Air Scrvic..: Ocq:lopmcnt Grant. 

### which will aiiO\v for 

### new and 

### improved <>crvicc in the \H.'stern**r~g.ion** 

### 11f our <>tate
. 

### I hi<; 

### rcgi1)11 is 

### gW\\ 

### int.. and enhanced air 

### servi ce is imperative to the 

### economic vitality 

### of the area. Quality air 

### se n ice 

### aids our economy through improved 

### access lor visitors, 

### tourism and b 

### important to 

### business gro\\lh 

### <1nd retention. 

### The western region has a noted conn..:ction to the Denver market

- both !'rom a 

### leisure and husinc ss Ira\ 

### cl perspective

. We know that 5% of inbound travelers come from Colorado. and many nwre from the \\est. Also. significant busines s development is 

### occurring 

### hy Colomdo and \\estem slak-based 

### businesses in the Western North Carolina region. Enhanced air sen icc to and from Dcn\· er and \\estern states is a positi ve 

### fit for 

### the direction of 

### growth this region 

### is experiencing.. However_ \\C ha\t.' 

### c:-;pericJH.:ed the loss 

### of low-cost nir carrier AirTran in the past year. and as a**rest~** 

### II. hnw 

### seen airfares begin to rise to levels much greater than our competitors are e:-.pericncing. The Asheville Regional Airport ha s put together a I\\O-f(lld plan 

### to mitigate the ri s ing air f<tres they arc cxperiencing. 

### due to the loss of AirTran Ain"a) s this: ear. Specifically. the plan**l<xu~e s**  

### first l

. lll 

### attracting another low-cost air service provider to serve the Denver market and potentially ndditional 

### markets lost when AirTran \-\as acquired 

### by S<.Jutlm ..:st. 

### Se.:oml. the plan ensun..:::. that**~uiTici~.o·Jll** 

### marketing will occur 

### to support the new 

### IO\v-lnrc carrier'.;; success in 

### the WNC markcL and includes a focus on strent,rthening the ne;vly formed 

### travel advisor) group - - a con sortium 

# or busine-;s 

### leaders. economic 

### developers and**!Guri~m** 

### representative.;; \\ !Jp 

### meet qu:lr!L'riy 

### II) 

### discu::.s :.1ir sen icc m·cds. 

### ad, ·ocacy and utilization

. Please accept my support of the Asheville Regional A 

### irpon ·s g:n1nt 

### request. Sinccn.:ly.



### 510-120612-009

### l1 ou• "' r of**HqnT !··n** **hiik' :** **~<i;rf. ·** **i[.e oi** **~· J;:iil.** **.** 

### JUni!\rino**....:'~'** 

### ·-**~ )l** **bJ.t ~\** **l!,** 

## 3':'-!([ 2( lilll- lLEh:,

The Honorable Ray L aHood, Secretary U.S. De partment of Transportation 400 7 th Street , SW Room 10200 Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Secretary LaHood: Ju r.e 5, 201 2

On behalf of [Name of Organi?.ation], 

### we stronglv support the Asheville Regional Airport's Small Community Air Service Development Grant, whic.h will a l low fo ; new and irnproved**~ervice** in the wes te rn region of our 

### state. Th1s r egion i5 growing, and enhanced 

### atr service i s imperative 

### to the economic vitality of the are a Quality air ser-Jice aids ou r economy through improved access for visitors, touri sm and is tmportant to**bus;nes ~**  growth a nd retention.**Tl ~**  we stern <egton has 

### a noted**c•Jnn~ci.io n**  to the**~: en•,f>r**  :11.:; :ket b(• ' h irom < ;**i.::·,~ur·~** and busine<:s trave l per:;pect ive. We kn o w tha1. 5% oi inbound travelers rQrr :e f:om Colorado, ond many more from the west. Also, significant bu:>mE'ss development IS occurr i ng by Co1orddo and western state - based businesses in the Western North Carolina region

_ Enhanced ai r service to and from Denver and western states is a positive fit for thP direction of growth this re gi on is experiencing However, we have experienced the lo ss of low-cost air ca rrier AirTran m the past year, and as a result, have seen airfares begin to rise to levels much greater than our competitors a1e experiencing.
The Asheville Regional Airport has put together a two-fold plan to mitigate the rising air fares they are experiencing due to the loss of AirTran .A.irways <:his year.**Spec fi** **C~IIy,** the plan focuse s first on attracting another iow
-cost air service provider to serve the Denver market , 

### and pote r1 tially additional markets lost when AirTran was acquired by Southwest

. Second, the plan en sures that suffi c ient marketing will occur to support the new low
-fare carrier 's success in the WNC market, and includes a focus on strengthening the newly formed travel adv i sory group- a consortium of business leaders, economic developers and tourism representativP-s who meet quarterly to discuss air serv ice need s, advocacy and utilization

.**Plea:;~?** accept 0ur :,uppo:t or the A.shevlllc ;{egKHICll Airport's gr3nt recjl

. 112St



## c:/7 t:;::J_. f / R2 y Ff' oi)P



# s 10-120612-007Thursday, June 07, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary U.S. Depattment ofTranspmtation 400 

## i" Street, SW Room 10200 Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Secretary LaHood: On behalf ofVan Wingerden International Inc., a horticulture business organization representing 250+ employees in the Western North Carolina area, we strongly support the Asheville Regional Airport's Small Conununity Air Service Development Grant, which will allow for new and improved service in our region. Our region is growing, and enhanced air service is imperative to the economic vitality of our area. Quality air service aids our economy through improved access for visitors, tourism and is important to business growth and retention. Oi.Jr region has a noted connection to the Denve.c market- both from a leisure and business travel**perspeciiv~.** We know that. 5% ofinbmmd travelers come from Colorado, and many more from the west. Also, significant business development is occurring by Colorado and western state-based businesses in the Western North Carolina region. Enhanced air service to and from Denver and.western states is a positive 

### tit for the direction of growth our region is experiencing. However, we have experienced the loss of low-cost air carrier AirTran in the past year, and as a result, have seen airfares begin to lise to levels much greater than our competitors are experiencing. The Asheville Regional Airport bas put together a two-fold plan to mitigate the rising air fares they arc experiencing due to the loss ofAirTran Airways this year. Specifically, the plan focuses first on attracting

.mother low-cost air s ervice proviJcr to serve the Denver market, and potentially additional 

### markets lost when AliTran was acquired by Southwest. Second, the plan ensures that sufficient marketing will occur to support the new low-fare canier's success in the WNC market, and includes a focus on strengthening the newly formed travel advisory group ·- a consottimn of business leaders, economic developers and tourism representatives who meet quarterly to discuss air service needs, advocacy and utilization.

. 

### '

### supp~rt oftbe Asheville Regional Airport's grant request.



### 510-120622-013

## ·-·**;; ~.'Narurc** **~** HcriJ;tgl' ·- ·----**~~ ,...** **-·~~.**

·u ......._ . . ' 

## .

# BIDe Ufogen:JBtals 

# Coup

.. 180 Mills Gap Rd • PO Box 169 • Fletcher, NC 28732 • Tel (828) 687-2525 • FlllC (828) 687·1661

June 7, 2012
The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary U.5. Department of Transportation 400 

### 7'h Street, SW Room 10200 Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Secretary LaHood:
On behalf of Blue Ridge Metals Corporation, a manufacturing organization representing 130 employees In the Western North Carolina area, we strongly support the Asheville Regional Airport's Small Community Air Service Development Grant, which 

### will allow for new and Improved service In our region. Our region Is growing, and enhanced air service Is Imperative to the economic vitality of our area. Quality air service aids our economy through improved access for visitors, tourism and Is Important to business growth and retention.

...._ 

# ··- Our region has a noted connection to the Denver market- both from a leisure and business travel perspective. We know that 5% of Inbound travelers come from Colorado, and many more from the west. Also, significant business development Is occurring by Colorado and western state-based businesses in the Western North Carolina region. Enhanced air service to and from Denver and western states Is a positive fit for the direction of growth our region Is experiencing. However, we have experienced the loss of low-cost illr carrier AirTran In the past year, and as a result, have seen airfares begin to rise to levels much greater than our competitors are experiencing.
rhe Asheville fieglonal Airport has put**t<JBet~~r** a two-fold plan to mitieate the rising air fares they are experiencing due to the loss of AlrTrari Airways th i s year. Speclflcallv, the plan focuses first on attracting another low-cost air service provider to serve the Denver marl<et, and potentially additional markets lost when AlrTran was acquired by Southwest. Second, the plan ensures that suffldent marketing 

### will occur to support the new low-fare carrier's**succe~s** in the WNC market, and Includes a focus on strengthening the newly formed travel advisory**group~** a consortium of bus i ness leaders, economic developers and



### . . ' tourism representatives who meet quarterly to discuss air service needs, advocacy and utilization.
Please accept our support of the Asheville Reglonnl Airport's grant request.

Factory Manager



# s 10-120622-011

## BUNCOMBE 

# COUNTY Buncombe County 

## Commissioners

HORTH CAROLINA 

### David Gantt, Chairman Bill Stanley. 

### Vice-Chairman

- GOYtWHJJUH

### June 6, 2012

The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary US Dept of Transportation 400 7th Street, SW Room 

### 10200 Washington, DC. 20590. Dear Mr. LaHood: 

### Carol Weir Peterson, Commissioner 

### K. 

### Ray Salley. Commissioner



### Holly Jones, Commissioner

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is in support of direct flight service to Denver, Colorado from Asheville. We understand from recent travel data, that Denver is the most frequented destination for Buncombe County travelers without direct service

. available and would serve as a significant new gateway to the western states from

Asheville. We believe that direct service to Denver would enhance the quality of life for our residents and strengthen our regional capacity to attract and retain world-class corporate citizens. This direct flight 

### Will be a great service to some of our most recent corporate citizens wl')o have home offices located in Denver. We wholeheartedly support direct flight service to Denver from Asheville and hope to hear very soon that it has become a reality. Sincerely,

# l?~~ David Gantt, Chairman 

# K**~** 

# .**~iley~** Commissioner 

# uJM:. 

# 1.

# df//
Bill

# St~nley,**~** Vice Chairman 

# Ji:!!Ff)\ 4 Commissioner Carol Peterson Commissioner

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## buncombecounty.org IJ. B28

. 2.50. 4001 f. 82B. 250. 6077 

### S10-120622-010June 6, 2012 

### The Honorable 

### Ray LnHood, Secretary U

.S. Department ofTmnsportation 400 7'h Street, SW Room I 0200 Washington, D.C

. 20590



### Deat· Secretary 

### LaHood:
On behalf ofBuncombe County Government we strongly support the Asheville Regioual Aiq;ort's Smnll Community 

### Air Service Development Grant, which will allow for new and improved 

### service in onr region. Our region is growing, and enhanced nir service is impemtive to the economic vitality ofonr area. Qunlity air service aids o11r economy through improved access for visitors, tourism and is important to business growth and retention.
Our region has a noted cotmection to the Denver market- both from 11 lei sure and business travel perspective. We know that 5% of inbound travelers come from Colorado, and many more fi·om the west. Also, significant business development is occurring by Colorado and wcstem stnte-b:tscd businesses in the 

### Westem North Carolina region. Enhnnced oi1· service to !llld from Denver nnd westem states is 

### a positive 

### fit 

### tor the direction ofgrowth onr region is experiencing. However, we have experienced the loss oflow-cost air cmTier AirTran in the past year, and us a result, ltave seen airfares begin to rise lo levels much grcnler than our competitors are experiencing.
The Asheville Regionnl Airport has put together 11 two-fold plan to mitigate the rising air f.1res they nrc uxpcricncing due to the loss of AirTrau Airways this year. Specifically, the plan focuses firs t on attracting another low-cost air service provider to servo the Qenver llllll'ket, and potentially ndditionnl markets lost when AirTran was acquired by Southwest Second, the plan ensures that sufficient marketing will occm to suppott the new low-fare cmTier's success in the \VNC market, and includes A focus ou strengthening the newly formed travel advisory group- a consortium ofbusiness lc(ldcrs, economic developers and 

### tolll·ism representatives who meet quarterly 

### to discuss air scniice

### Ii~cd~, advocncy and ut!li7ation.
Plense accept our 

### supp01t of tl1e Asheville Regionnl Airport's grant request.**s,~ly** 

# ( l'i//**/~n Cre(gff~?~/~lt**  County Mmmgcr 

# /**--r~**

S10 - 120622-016