THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, DC 20590 

The Honorable Mark Kirk 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Senator Kirk: 

September 19, 2014 

Thank you for your letter supporting the application submitted by Peoria lntemational Airport 

for a grant under the U.S. Department ofTransportation's Small Community Air Service 

Developmet!t Program. 

The Small Community Air Service Development Program was established to help smaller 

communities address air service deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares and 

insufficient service. Under the statute, the Department may make a maximum of 40 grant 

awards each year, although no more than four may he to communities in the same State. To 

provide communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service deficiencies, the 

statute provides flexibility in the types of air service development projects that can be funded. 

On June 30, the Department issued an order setting a deadline of July 31 for applications. As 

these grant requests are pending before the Department, I cannot comment on the merits of any 

particular proposal. I assure you, however, that the Department will give full and fair 

consideration to ali proposals that have been properly filed. 

As is our standard practice, I am placing a copy of your letter and this response in Docket 

DOT -OST-2014-0 113 as a contact outside the record of this matter. I appreciate your i.nterest in 

this program. 

Anthony R. Foxx 
The Honorable Anthony Foxx 

·Secretary 

July 29, 2Ql4 

Uf)itect States Department of Transportation 

WestBuilding-1200 NewJersey Avenue; S.E. 

Washington D.C. 205.90 

Dear Secretary Foxx: 

COM.I\IliHEES; 

Af'PflOPfliA TfONS 

flANKING, HOUSING & I,JRBAN AFFAIRS 

HEALW, LA!90R & PENSIONS 

AGING 

I writein support of Peoria International Airport's (PIA) application to the Departmentof 

Transportation (DOT)fortheSmall Cormnunity Air Service DevelopmentPr:ogram(SCASDP}. 

Expanding air services in Peoria is a critical for the regional development and economic 

coq1petitiveness. of Central Illinois. As part of the strategy to furtberimptove air operations~J atn 

encouraged the PIA has identified six prospective hubs that have :the potential to be serviced by 

three ofPeoria~s four existing air service providers, inchtdihg American Airlines to .Philadelphia 

(PHL) or Charlotte (CLT)~ United Airlines to Houston (IAH) or Newark (EWR} and Delta to 

LaGuardia (LGA) or I<e1llledy (JFK) inN:ew York. Enhancing direct connections tointernational 

gateways would streng1;hent11e airport's ability to> provide Safe and qualitytransportation services 

for local businesses and .travelers. 

I understand thatthe airport is requesting SCASDP support to further develop and improve its air 

service programs and ,is c:ommitted to providing a 50/50 match. PIA is a critical transportation 

link for some of Illinois' biggest employers and enhancing air services to and from Peoria will be 

key for future economic growth and boostingjob creation throughout the region. I support Peoria 

International Airport's efforts and urge the DOT to give the PIA application fair and full 

consideration. 

Sincerely~ 

Mark Kirk 

U.S. Senator 

CC: Mr. Gene Olson~ Director of Airports? Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria