APPLICATION UNDER SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

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SUMMARY INFORMATION 1

All applicants must submit this Summary Information schedule, as the application
coversheet , a completed standard form SF424 and the full application proposal on www.grants.gov

. For your preparation convenience, this Summary Information schedule is located at http://www.dot.gov/policy/aviation- policy/small -community- rural

- air

- service/SCA SDP

A. P ROVIDE THE LEGAL SPO NSOR AND ITS DUN AND BRADSTREET (D&B) DATA UNIVERSAL

NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBER , INCLUDING +4, EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICAT ION NUMBER
(EIN) OR TAX ID

. Legal Sponsor Name:

Name of Signatory Party for Legal Sponsor:

DUNS Number:

EIN/Tax ID:

B. L IST THE N AME OF THE COMMUNITY OR CONSORTIUM OF COM MUNITIES APPLYING :
1.____________________________________________________

2.____________________________________________________

3.____________________________________________________

4.____________________________________________________

C. P ROVIDE THE FULL AIRP ORT NAME AND 3-L ETTER IATA A IRPORT C ODE FOR THE

APPLICANT ( S ) AIRPORT ( S ) (O NLY PROVIDE CODES FOR THE AIRPORT ( S ) THAT ARE ACTUALLY

SEEKING SERVICE ).

1. 2

.
3

. 4

.

1 Note that the Summary Information does not count against the 20

- page limit of the SCASDP application.D OES THE AIRPORT SEEKING SERVICE HOLD AN AIRPORT OPERATING CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY

THE F EDERAL A VIATION A DMINISTRATION UNDER 14 CFR P ART 139? (I F “N O ”, P LEASE

EXPLAIN WHETHER THE AIRPORT INTENDS TO APPLY FOR A CERTIFICATE OR WHETHER AN

APPLICATION UNDER P ART 139 IS PENDING .)

Yes No (explain)

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________ D. L IST THE 2- DIGIT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CODE APPLIC ABLE TO THE SPONSORI NG

ORGANIZATION , AND IF A CONSORTIUM , TO EACH PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY

.
1. 2

.
3

. 4

.

E. A PPLICANT I NFORMATION : (C HECK A LL T HAT A PPLY )

Not a Consortium Interstate Consortium Intrastate Consortium

Community currently receives subsidized Essential Air Service

Community (or Consortium member) previously received a Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant

If previous recipient: Provide year of grant(s) :_______________________________; and, the text of the grant agreement section(s) setting forth the scope of the grant project :

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

F. P UBLIC /P RIVATE P ARTNERSHIPS : (L IST O RGANIZATION NAMES )

PUBLIC PRIVATE

1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.G. P ROJECT P ROPOSAL :

1. G RANT G OALS : ( CHECK ALL THAT APPLY )

Launch New Carrier Secure Additional Service Upgrade Aircraft

First Service New Route Service Restoration

Regional Service Surface Transportation Professional Services 2

Other (explain below)

2. F INANCIAL T OOLS T O B E U SED : ( CHECK ALL THAT APPLY )

Marketing (including Advertising): promotion of the air service to the public

Start

- up Cost Offset : offsetting expenses to assist an air service provider in setting up a

new station and starting new service (for example, ticket counter reconfiguration)

R evenue Guarantee : an agreement with an air service provider setting forth a minimum

guaranteed profit margin, a portion of which is eligible for reimbursement by the

community

Recruitment of Air Carrier: air service development activities to recruit new air service,

including expenses for airport marketers to meet with air service providers to make the

case for new air service

Fee Waivers : waiver of airport fees, such as landing fees, to encourage new ai r service;

counted as in-kind contributions only

Ground Handling Fee : reimbursement of expenses for passenger, cabin, and ramp (below

wing) services provided by third party ground handlers

Travel Bank: travel pledges, or deposited monetary funds, from pa rticipating parties for

the purchas e of air travel on an air carrier , with defined procedures for the subsequent use

of the pledges or the deposited funds; counted as in-kind contributions only

2 “Professional Services” involve a community contracting with a firm to produce a product such as a marketing plan, study, air carrier proposal, etc.Other (explain below)

______________________________________________________________________________

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H. E XISTING L ANDING A IDS AT L OCAL A IRPORT :

Full ILS Outer/Middle Marker Published Instrument Approach

Localizer Other (specify)

I. P ROJECT C OST : D O NOT ENTER TEXT IN SHADED AREA

L INE D ESCRIPTION S UB T OTAL T OTAL A MOUNT

1 Federal amount requested

2 State cash financial contribution

Local cash financial contribution

3a Airport cash funds

3b Non

- airport cash funds

3 Total local cash funds ( 3a + 3b )

4 TOTAL CASH FUNDING ( 1+2+3 )

In

- K ind contribution

5 a Airport In

- Kind contribution **

5b Other In

- Kind contribution **

5 TOTAL IN

- KIND CONTRIBUTION

( 5a + 5b )

6 TOTAL PROJECT COST ( 4+ 5 )

J. IN- KIND CONTRIBUTIONS**

For funds in lines 5a (Airport In

- Kind contribution) and 5b (Other In

- Kind contribution), please
describe the source(s) of fund(s) and the value ($) of each.K. I S T HIS A PPLICATION S UBJECT T O R EVIEW B Y AN A FFECTED S T ATE U NDER E XECUTIVE

O RDER 12372 P ROCESS ?

a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372

Process for review on (date) _____________.

b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372, but has not been selected by the S tate for review.

c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372.

L. I S T HE L EAD A PPLICANT OR A NY C O -A PPLICANTS D ELINQUENT O N A NY F EDERAL D EBT ?

(I F “Y ES ”, P ROVIDE E XPLANATION )

No Yes (explain)

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________ APPLICATION CHECKLIST

I NCLUDED ? I TEM

For Immediate Action

Determine Eligibility

New Grants.gov users must r egister with www.grants.gov

. Existing Grants.gov users must verify ex isting www.grants.gov account has not expired and the Authorized Organization R epresenta tive (AOR) is current

. For Submission by 5:00 PM EDT on July 31, 2014

Communities with active SCASDP grants: notify DOT/X50 of intent to terminate existing grant in order to be eligible for selection in FY2014

Complete Application for Federal Domestic Assistance (SF424) via www.grants.gov

S ummary Information schedule complete and used as cover sheet (see Appendix B )

A pplication of up to 20 one - sided pages (excluding any letters from the community or an air carrier showing support for the application ) , to include:

• A description of the community’ s air service needs or deficiencies

.

• A strategic plan for meeting those needs under the Small Community Program

.

• A detailed description of the funding necessary for implementation of the community's project.

• An explanation of how the proposed project differs from any previous projects for which the community received SCASDP funds (if applicable).

• Designation of a legal sponsor responsible for adminis tering the program

.

• A motion for confidential treatment (if applicable)

– see Appendix D below.

### Proposal for the Small Community Air Service Development Program Docket DOT

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## Legal Sponsor: Niagara County Department of Economic Development

DUNS Number:

0675238860000

EIN#:
16

- 6002564

Congressional District Code:

2 6 and 2 7

July 31
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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 2 Table of Contents

Executive Summary 3

Niagara Falls International Airport Project Proposal

A. Description of the Community’s Existing Air Service 4

B. Synopsis of the Community’s Historical Service 8

C. Community’s Air Service Development Efforts Over the Past Five Years 9

D. Description of the Community’s Air Service Needs and Deficiencies 1 0

E. Strategic Plan for Meeting Needs Under the Small Community Air Program 1 1

F. Description of Public/Private E ntity 14

G. Description of Funding Necessary for Im plementation of the Project 15

H. How Community will Ensure its Own Funding Con tributions Spent per Proposal 17

I. How Community will Monitor Progress of the Grant Project 17

J. Community Plans to Conti nue Project if not Self

- s ustaining After Grant Expires 18

K. Legal Sponsor Responsibility for Administering the Program 18

L. Conclusion 19Proposal For the Small Community

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 3 

## Executive Summary

The City of Niagara Falls

, located in the Northwestern corner of New York State

, sits on the
b anks of the Niagara River. It is home to one of the world's most famous natural wonders, Niagara Falls, which a ttracts more than 10 million visit ors annually.

The Niagara Falls International Airport ( NFIA) (IATA: IAG)

, is a joint civil

- militar y public

- use airport

, located four miles east of the central business district of Niagara Falls. NFIA

, o wned and operated by the Niagara Fr ontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), shar es its runways with
the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station

. The NFTA is the public a gency responsible for commercial transportation oversight in both Niagara and Erie counties.

There are approximately 100 million people within a day's driving distance of the Niagara Falls area. This geographic population involves the eas tern and Midwestern corridors of the United
States and southern Canad i a n markets.

In September 2009, the NFTA completed construction of the n ew NFIA terminal , enhancing existing air service . This initiative b olster ed r egional, domestic, and international passenger service. In October 2010, Spirit Airlines announced service to Fort Lauderdale , FL and Myrtle
Beach , SC. I n the summer of 2011, Allegiant Travel announced service to Tampa/St. Petersburg, which began in December of 2011. Allegiant added servi ce to Sanford , FL (Orlando) in February 2012, and to Punta Gorda, Fla in July 2012.

The N FIA Stakeholders Group ( NFIASG ) , lead by the Niagara County Department of Economic Development (NCDED)

, consists of members from the public and private sectors locate d in both
Erie and Niagara Count ies . Realizing the need for a unified partnership

, the S takeholder s Group further supports the air service development efforts of the NFTA and its promotion of the NFIA

. It should be understood that the Stakeholders Group operates independently from the NFTA and its incentive program. The NCDED presents itself as the legal sponsor for this US Department of Transportation (DOT)

– Small Community Air Service Development Program

Grant (SCASDP)

. As assigned, t he Project Direc tor will spearhead strategic planning, implement program management, invoic e and report to the community regarding the use of federal and

non

- federal funds.

The mission of the S takeholder s Group is to increase air service development at NFIA . This

camp aign encompasses a variety of activities with the ultimate goal of r etaining existing air
service s and ideally, the bottom line becomes additional and improved air access and capacity in order to develop the economy of the community and region.Proposal For the Small Community

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 4 The NF IA Stakeholder s Group is seek ing a $500,000 grant from the USDOT to:

1. Broaden community awareness of the economic and social benefits of the NFIA

, and marketing the NFIA for new air carrier service with non

- competing routes

.
2. Augment costs supporting the NFTA’s financial incentives for air carrier services as revenue guarantees. The community and Stakeholders Group will continue to support marketing incentives provided by the NFTA.

The NCDED understands the payment reimbursement guidelines of this SCASDP Grant and its subsequent obligations

.

The NCDED and Stakeholders Group believe additional air service will benefit leisure travelers, the regional business community and residents within the region

. Additional flight services allowing non

- stop destinat ions and domestic and international itineraries provide additional travel options to millions of potential travelers. These air services will promote this region ’ s tourism industry during both the peak and off

- peak seasons. The resulting bottom line b ene fit s the business community and overall tourist network expanding the tax base and strengthening the region’s overall economy

.



## A

. 

## Description of the Community’s Existing Air Service

Commercial Airlines NFIA currently has t wo airline s in operation

-- S pirit Airlines and Allegiant Travel . In December 2009, a new state

- of

- the

- art, 69,430 sq

. ft

. terminal complex opened to better serv ice existing
air carriers, and provide an incentive to return scheduled regional

, domestic and international

passenger serv ice to the airport

.

Terminal
The NFIA is located in Western New York State , and borders the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario,
Canada. Served by four international bridges and two train crossings between the U.S. and
Canada , this air service complex becomes a logical “hub” for air trafficking in the region.

The NFIA terminal c ontains facilities to service domestic and international operations as well as
scheduled air carrier and char t er flights. The 69,430 square foot terminal contains:

 Passenger loadin g bridge designed to handle a Boeing 747

 Ability to turn around a B

- 747 International Flight in 90 minutes

 Eight check

- in counters, plus electronic check

- in positions and curbside check

- in
facilities

 Security lands with fully functional TSA facilities

 Expe dited processing for both international and domestic flightsProposal For the Small Community

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 5  State

- of

- the

- art Customs & Immigration facilities

 Approximately 1,800 parking spots

 Free Wi

- Fi

Hangars

NFIA encompasses a general aviation itinerant apron, west of the terminal building

, a Fi xed Based Operator building and hangar, airport administration building and service vehicle garage. The second general aviation venue is located west of the main terminal. This area contains hangars and tie downs for based aircraft and aviation organizat ions. T here are eight conventional hangers, 14 “nested” T

- hangers, 60 tie downs and 17 conventional hangar buildings of various sizes on site. Aircraft hangars are privately owned and constructed over a paved apron area. Above ground storage holds 30,00 0 gallon of jet fuel and 10,000 AVGAS.

Runway NFIA airfield system consists of three runways, 10L/28R (9,829 long by 150 ft wide), 06/24 and 10R/28L, and 13 associated taxiways. The maximum take off distance for 10L/28R is 10,829 ft.

Parking
Park ing o n site at the NFIA is easily accessible and a short convenient walking distance to the terminal. Parking rates are $ 10 per day with a maximum weekly rate of $ 50 . There are also designated parking spaces , allowing for up to two hours of free parking to ac commodat e "meet and greet" patrons.Proposal For the Small Community

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 6 T he Niagara Region includes the major metropolitan areas of New York and Central OntarioProposal For the Small Community

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 7 

## NFIA provides airlines with an unconstrained and uncongested operating environment :

• Full capability runway s

• 9,825 foot main (10L

– 28R) (10,895 foot takeoff length)

• 5,188 foot crosswind (6

– 24)

• 3,973 foot general aviation parallel (10R

– 28L)

• ATC Tower (0700

– 2300)(BUF tower controls other times)

• Cleveland ATC is uncongested (not New York City or Toronto ATC )

• No noise restrictions or curfews

• Ample aircraft parking, loading and unloading areas

• Full service 24

- hour FBO

• U.S. Customs 24

- hour service (on call from U.S.

– Canada border three miles away)

• Warehouse facilities on site

• Foreign Trade Zone #34 (183 acres adjacent to IAG, with two 50,000 sq. ft. buildings)

Ultimately, t he NFIA replicate s the larger airport service experience by penetrating the Niagara Region market with long haul

– leisure services.



## Airline landing fees at NFIA (IGA) are fractional whe n compared with

other North East Commercial Airports

Airport Rate per

000 lbs. MTOW B 737

- 800 B 767

- 300ER A330

- 200

155,500 MTOW 380,000 MTOW 513,700 MTOW

IAG $ .90 $ 140 $ 342 $462Proposal For the Small Community

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 8 

## NFIA (IGA) charges and fees are simple, limited and very low

Fee/Charge NFIA (IGA)

Landing Fee $ 1

. 35 per 000 lbs MGLW

Passenger Screening Fee $ 1

. 00 per pax $ 75 per flight minimum

Terminal Rent (Optional) $ 10 per sq ft



## B. NFIA Historical Services

Niagara Falls bodes a proud aviation history, dating to 1928 . The creation of the city

- owned Niagara Falls International Airport anchored by four crushed stone run ways, paved a place for airport operations. When t he first terminal opened in 1935

, shortly after, Bell Aircraft Corporation opened its manufacturing f acility adjacent to the airport property

, where it developed the world’s first commercial helicopter and supersonic aircraft

.

With World War II

, the NFIA moved into an active military phase. The United States Army Air Force established a base, operating t he facility throughout the war. The military added and extended runways, constructed a control tower, added high intensity lights, and an instrument landing system. The base eventually converted to an Air Reserve Base becoming home t o the
upstate New York Air National Guard. T he establishment of the U.S. Air Force in 1947, brought about the location of a U.S. Air Force Reserve Unit at the Niagara Falls complex. In 1959, the main runway was extended

, to 9,000 feet

, to accommodate the increased demand s of military
aircraft.

In 1965 U.S. Customs approved the Niagara Falls Airport for international flights. In 1970 the City of Niagara Falls sold the airport to its current owner, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. T he NFTA lengthen ed the runway t o 2,994 meters (9,825 feet, a maximum take off distance available of 10,825 feet) in 2003, enabling the NFIA to accommodate the largest
aircraft flying

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 9 

## C. Community’s Air Service Development Efforts Over the Past Five

Years

The NF TA continues to prom ote and market the NFIA. The Stakeholders G roup looks to develop the means and resources to assist with marketing of the N FIA terminal . Detailing its amenities to prospective airlines, together with inventorying available properties adjacent to
the termi nal paints the “big picture” for potential developers

.

The state

- of

- the

- art $31.5 million terminal at the NFIA , a major component of an overall $42.5 million airport improvement project, opened for business in December 2009. Over the past few decades, the NFIA had been h amstringed by a lack of passenger boarding bridges and adequate
terminal facilities. Th is 69, 430 sq

. ft

. facility t ripled the size of the terminal area. A second story includes two large gates with passenger boarding bridges. Two gate s remain on ground
level

, designed for street level loading operations.

T he new terminal clearly puts the NFTA in a more enviable position to attract both scheduled
and charter air traffic

. T he first 12 months of new terminal operation brought about an

e xpanded flight schedule. The NFIA serves both seasonal and year

- round flights to key leisure
destinations including Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Punta Gorda, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Melbourne, Destin, and Lakeland, Florida. The estimated annual economic activity directly related to the NFIA was well over $150 million in 201 3

. Construction impact of the new terminal project exceeded $90 million.

NFIA has undergone major infrastructure improvements

. The improvements are a joint effort
bet ween the Air Force, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), and the NFTA. In the past decade, the length of the airp ort’s main runway (28R/10L) was extended to more than 10,000 feet, accommodat i ng any size military or commercial aircraft. In summer 2011, the airport’s largest secondary runway (6/24) underwent significant improvements related to the runway’s Safety Area. In summer 2012, the airport’s main runway (28R/10L) was milled and overlaye d

.

The NCDED continues its campaign with the assistance from local public and private stakeholders to promote the newly enhanced passenger terminal. Among l ocal stakeholders associated with this NFIA marketing initiative we find :

 Niagara Frontier Trans portation Authority (Advisory Role Only)

 Niagara County

 City of Niagara Falls

 Niagara USA Chamber

 Niagara County Industrial Development Agency

 Niagara Tourism and Convention CorporationProposal For the Small Community

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 10  Hotel/Motel Association

 Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel

 Fashion Outlets

– Niagara USA and representatives from the Small Business community

 New York State Senate and Assembly

 Niagara Falls Bridge Commission

 Empire State Development Corporation

 Buffalo Niagara Enterprise

The mission statement of the NFIA Stakeholder Group is:

To unite stakeholders from the business, government, hospitality, tourism and other interested parties to explore, devise and develop processes and procedures that will support and advance the development of air services at the Niagara Falls Internation al Airport.

In addition to securing funding for the promotion of the commercial traffic at the NFIA, during
the construction of the main terminal

, the NCDED obtained funding from the local New York State Legislative delegation for adjacent landscape impro vement s and security upgrades.
Additional State f unding was secured for updated existing air cargo ramp infrastructure by adding a surface consistent with the industry norm for U.S. air cargo operations. These renovations enable cargo aircraft at NFIA to land and taxi to adjacent air industry cargo warehouse areas for loading and unloading

.

T he Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation has cond ucted specific study in collaboration with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and Niagara Universi ty . The compiled data helped influence the design and application of marketing methods particular to the NFIA.

T he Stakeholders Group, a 501

- c(6) not

- for

- profit , works to advanc e initiatives of the
Stakeholder s Group members and the overall community . T h ese major initiatives include:

 Develop ing incentive package s to expedite the attraction of new airline service

 Provid ing supplemental community incentives and financial resources to airlines in order to mitigate air carrier costs

 Pr esenting incentives wh ich help offset costs associated with recruitment of additional full service fixed based operators



## D. Community’s A ir S ervice N eeds and D eficiencies

Realizing the NFIA involves one of the most frequented tourist destinations in the world, experiencing mo re than ten million visitors annually, the Niagara Region has become a market of millions of U.S., Canadian and non

- American consumers. U.S.

- based air services consistently work to penetrate the Canadian market.Proposal For the Small Community

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 11 The Stakeholders Group consistently wo rks to gain a share of the airline market, but is hindered by its close proximity to the Buffalo International Airport and other larger international airports, including Toronto Pearson Airport (Canada). The NFIA has been able to add more direct flights, including international destinations, with assistance of supplementary funding. The “Group” continues to reach out to air carriers considering operations at NFIA. The NFIA , like other smaller airports, continues search ing for community marketing dollars to offer potential air carriers, mitigating their operating costs. Accepting that incoming carriers need assurance their operation can become cost effective, the Stakeholders Group remains committed to securing ancillary funding.

The Stakeholders Group believes strongly additional resources in the form of grant funding and community donations (including in

- kind) must be dedicated towards marketing and revenue guarantees. The Stakeholders Group brings together a di versified panel of community partners

to assist the NFTA and provide community based incentives. This “coming

- together” demonstrates the community’s dedication to attracting new air carriers to the “Niagara” and Western New York Region. The Stakeholders Group remains poised to grow the market a nd provide services to both airlines and tourists who visit the Niagara Falls Region. This growth can only come about with the financial commitments to effectively market and financially entice airlines to operate out of the NFIA.

Our area encompasses N orth America’s 2 nd l argest w ine r egion , w orld r enowned and h istoric

a rchitecture , s pectacular n atur al venues and a n ational c enter for the Performing Arts (Broadway musicals, thea tre, and Philharmonic Orchestra). Combine these resources with our major lea gue sports teams, the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, world

- class golf courses, Las Vegas

- s tyle g aming and e ntertainment , and an established network of world prominent higher educational and medical institutions. The product...destination, destination, d estination.

Funding through the USDOT

- SCASDP would provide additional re sources to support to underwrite the NFTA’s dedicated marketing/promotion strategy. The collateral benefit creates an increased awareness of the NFIA, inspiring business opportunitie s with increased passenger/visitors to the region. In addition to the NFTA’s existing incentive program, created to promote public and industry awareness of the NFIA facilities, assistance from the USDOT

SCASDP will further ensure the “checkbook” necessar y to increase air travel through potential marketing and support incentives.



## E. Plan for Meeting Needs Under the Small Community A ir Program

Specific Project Goals

The Stakeholder s Group recognizes most airlines who invest within an airport and its

surr ounding community , have resulting e xpect ations that communities will pro vide incentive sProposal For the Small Community

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 12 to help facilitate thei r operations. The S takeholders Group understands when a commercial
airline commits to a market

, i t faces a financial risks. T he Stakeholder s Gr oup works to provide additional revenues to support ongoing marketing initiatives at the NFIA. These “new monies” lessen financial risks and accelerate marketing tools. In place, this assistance increases community and business awareness and fosters di rect support of air service development and collaborative marketing efforts.

Marketing the NFIA is vital to the expansion of our community and the region

. The
Stakeholders Gro up re cognizes the potential of the NFIA to enhance the region ’ s tourism
market . The Stakeholders Group will utilize the resources of the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation (NTCC) and the Business Marketing Department of the NFTA. The “Group” will continue to play off the success of its current marketing plan. This plan i dentifies and lists specific marketing events, FAM tours, press events, open houses, press releases, direct mailings and website initiatives. The Stakeholders Group will further continue to capitalize on its community characteristics and resources and its strategic geographic proximity to the north
eastern United States and Canada.

Some of the NFIA’s greatest marketing assets remain its low airport cost to carriers, low taxes and below market fees on travel and parking for passengers. Taking into account these benefits, the Stakeholders Group will allocate any awarded funds to further leverage air development services and collaborate with the NFTA’s marketing incentives. The “Group’s” campaign will continue dialogue with community members to identify wh ich marketing strategies have proven successful.



### Measuring Goals The Stakeholders Group will measure the effectiveness of its marketing plan. With the assistance of the NFTA, NTCC and other tourism

- based entities, evaluating existing data
research me thods and statistical analysis seems “doable”. Monitoring of passengers and surveys feedback, will be reviewed to determine the effectiveness of the direct marketing strategies. Examination of the local and regional media coverage, as it relates to the A irport’s ongoing efforts, the Stakeholders Group will additionally monitor general trade publications, network news stories and electronic media and coverage of airport

- related operations.

The financial and statistical feedback from the airport management will be an accurate measure of the project’s effectiveness. The most

- telling performance measures remain flights to and
from existing destinations. The number of enplanements, expansion of operations or new destinations from existing carriers are true m easures of what is going on. The Stakeholders Group will measure the number of increased flights by existing carriers, a carrier’s willingness to expand trial runs and the number of increased flights. Another major indicator used will be the
overall sent iment within established community participation.Proposal For the Small Community

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 13 Revenue guarantees are another incentive the Stakeholders Group will put on the table for potential air services. These “draws” will be both cash and in

- kind appropriations from
stakeholders and the local business community. The Stakeholders Group will collaborate with the local business community to generate revenue and in

- kind contributions from corporations, tourism organizations and various government entities.

Considerable in

- kind contributions ha ve and will continue to be provided under the Stakeholders Group’s mission. In

- house staff and local professional organizations have applied existing funding towards marketing and studying the needs to grow financially. The resulted data would hopefully secure additional funding for revenue

- bearing campaigns.



### D etermined to be Efficient The NFTA and community are aware of the risk mitigating factors associated with attracting additional services to the NFIA. The NCDED and Stakeholders Group will cont inue its work with the professional tourism, marketing and transportations services to promote and leverage additional air carrier services. These advancements benefit not only air passengers but the business community and the region at large.



### Timeline Activity

1 2 /20 09 to present New terminal at NFIA opens, and service begins to Myrtle Beach

, SC, and other vacation destinations in Florida.

7/2014

- Apply for USDOT Federal funding

9/2014

- Stakeholders Group identif ies community

- marketing i nitiatives
and interact s with NTCC and NFTA regarding NFIA marketing

1/2015

- Receive SCASDP funding

– continue support of NF I A marketing

a nd increase Stakeholders Group commitment through community awareness and marketing.

2/2015

- Apply mechanisms to support the NTCC and NFTA’s promotion of NFIA through community marketing initiatives and provide additional funding tools for the NFTA to assist in securing
additional carrier services.

11/2016

- Legal Sponsor submits invoices to USDOT for SCASDP grant.

1/2017

- Project close outProposal For the Small Community

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 14 

## F. Description of Public/Private Entity

The Stakeholders Group will support the NFTA’s mission to successfully market the airport throughout the region and to air carrier services. The Stakeholders Group has declared its full

s upport for a public/private partnership in support of the NFTA’s endeavors.

The Stakeholders Group consists of members from the public and private community located in Niagara and Erie Count ies, New York. Realizing the need for a unified partnership to

a ccomplish the goals of growing the airport through community involvement, the Stakeholders Group created a 501

- c

- (6) not

- for

- profit entity charged with identifying and establishing funding sources for the required marketing of the NFIA. The established 50 1

- C

- 3 provides financial and operational oversight of the project’s mission and work in a legal capacity, advancing the initiatives previously established by the Stakeholders.

This entity, in part, has been created to leverage charitable donations, co rporate and government funding to advance the mission of the Stakeholders Group. This entity has a Board of Directors consisting of elected and appointed government officials, lodging, tourism operators, marketing officials, transportation authorities (go vernment), transportation operators (private businesses), economic development agencies, and non

- profit representatives. The efforts to effect this organization’s activities is spearheaded by the Niagara County Center for Economic Development.



## How P art nerships W ill Actively P articipate in I mplementation of the NFIA Project:

Public Partnerships Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (Advisory Role Only) Owner/Operator of NFIA

Niagara County Provide funding opportunities, gather community & politic al support

NY State Senate & Assembly Provide funding opportunities, gather community & political support Niagara County Department of Economic Development Legal sponsor of the SCASDP Grant, facilitate monthly NFIA Stakeholders Group Marketing

Committee meetings, provide potential funding opportunities Empire State Development Corporation Assist with identifying funding opportunities, expedite NY State economic Development Resources to include marketing City of Niagara Falls Provide anticipated funding for project, provide resources to overall missionProposal For the Small Community

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 15 Niagara County Industrial Development Agency Provide potential funding resources, tax incentives for potential airport businesses

Private Partnerships Niagara USA Chamber Provide community outreach, ma rketing resources and networking Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation Official marketing entity for Niagara Falls/Niagara County, NY

– provide in

- kind marketing services and assist with overall marketing agenda of NFIA
Hotel/Motel Association Prom ote tourism season, provide viable special packages for air passenger travelers Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel Provide potential financial in

- kind or cash contributions, offer discounts through marketing campaigns of Casino & Hotel
Fashion Outlets

– Niag ara USA and representatives from the Small Business community Provide data from customers and offer to support marketing campaign via in

- kind
contributions

Niagara Falls Bridge Commission Provide support and resources for overall project campaign
Buffal o Niagara Enterprise Provide in

- kind regional marketing resources



## G. Funding Necessary for Implementation of the Project

Federal Funding Required
The NCDED

, legal sponsor of the Stakeholders Group, is requesting a one

- time grant of $500,000 to be util ized over a two

- year period, from 201 5

- 201 6 . The funds will s upplement the NFTA’s goals which concentrate on the marketing and revenue guarantees portion of the NFIA Project as follows :

USDOT

– SCASDP Grant Fund Uses 201 5 201 5 /201 6

Marketing $75,000 $75,000

Minimum Revenue Guarantees $175,000 $175,000

Total Contribution from Federal Grant $250,000 * $250,000 *

* Depending on the project’s current status and unforeseen circumstances, if the allocated portion of funds towards either marketing or revenu e guarantee is less tha n estimated, theProposal For the Small Community

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 16 NCDED or 501

- C (6) would seek an amendment to shift the unexpended fu nds to the portion of the project lacking adequate revenues. Flexibility in shifting funds between the two initiatives would afford the project the “creativity” to proportionately satisfy the missions’ ultimate objective.



## Project’s Funding Sources and Uses

Project Funding Sources Amount

NY State Assembly Grant (Committed) $ 75,000

City of Niagara Falls Grant ( Potential ) $ 50,000

USDOT

– SCASDP Grant (Requested) $ 500 ,000

Stakeholder In

- Kind Contributions $ 150,000

Project Funding Sources Total $ 775,000

Project Funding Uses Amount

Marketing $ 225,000

Minimum Revenue Guarantees $ 550,000

Project Funding Uses Total $ 775,000

State Funding
Th e New York State Assembly ha s secured funding to enhance the marketing opportunities of
the NFIA. The NCDED continu ally seek s ongoing funding appropriations from the New York State Legislature . Previously, disbursements have been reimbursable. State appr opriations mandate a final report and detailed description as to how the funds have actually been spent.

Local Funding The City of Niagara Falls dedicated $50,000 towards NFIA marketing in 2012. Potential for an additional $50,000 for continued market ing efforts

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- Kind Contributions from Community All public entities and private companies that will support the NFTA’s marketing plan will be recruited for specific assistance. The contributions become a key component in getting a reciprocal commitmen t from existing airlines to expand their inbound/outbound destinations.



## H. How Community will Ensure its Own Funding Contributions Spent per Proposal

A P rogram Director ( M ember of the NFIA Stakeholders Group and/or NCDED Staff ) will have responsibility for financial oversight and management of funding contributions. As a follow

- up, this individual will be responsible for reporting and invoicing to the US DOT

- SCASDP, i nclud ing the preparation of required quarterly reports.

The Stakeholders Group meets regularly to discuss ongoing operations and initiatives. Part of its agenda will examine procedures to guarantee existing funds and future funding both public and private are spent as intended.

Marketing Use of Funding Contributions
The Stakeholders Group , local business community and marketing professionals will provide marketing resources in respect to t he project’s timeline and funding guidelines

. Contractual agreements as required will be forwarded to the USDOT, supplemented by quarterly reports.

Accountability

M embers of the Stakeholder s Group will be closely involved in the sales and marketing efforts

. The NCDED, NTCC and Stakeholders Group will oversee the marketing plans to ensure funds a re spent as intended in the project outline. The Pr ogram Director will invoice USDOT for its pro

rata share of eligibl e costs, incurred as marketing expense s under the USDOT

- SCASDP grant.



## I. How Community will Monitor Progress of the Grant Project

NFIA’s measure for success looks for continued marketi ng funds for air carrier services

, in order

to provide realistic revenue guarantee packages. The NCDED and Stakeholder s Group have developed an overall objective and project timeline outlining intended accomplish ments

.

As mentioned previously, the Prog ram Director bears the responsibility for the overall project plan implementation to ensur e timelines are met . The NCDED and the NTCC share the responsibility for marketing activities and coordinat ing project specifics with existing air carrier
services

.

The NFTA’s success of the marketing project will be measured by the addition of air carrier services, by existing carriers listing added domestic and international routes, increased revenues and newly assigned financial contributions and incentives.Proposal For the Small Community

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Niagara County Department of Economic Development Page 18 Cr itical Milestones During the Life of the Grant:

1. Receive USDOT

- SCASDP Grant funding

– secure additional State/Local/Private Business Funding Sources

2. File Quarterly financial statements

3. Public Presentation and Stakeholder s Group me eting s to p rovide updates

4. Inventory p roject s ources and u ses

5. Final report to USDOT

- SCASDP

6. Submission to USDOT

- SCASDP for grant reimbursement



## J. Community Plans to Continue Project if not Self

- sustaining After Grant Expires

Prior to any notice of federal funding opportunities, t he NFTA remain ed committed to market and promote the airport to existing airlines and travelers. The Stakeholders Group will
continue to research additional in

- kind contributions and available funding awards to supplement the NFTA’s promotion of the Niaga ra Falls International Airport. Additional public and private funding will be sought to further support the mission of incentivizing air service development at the NFIA

.



## K. Legal Sponsor Responsibility for Administering the Program

Niagara County Depart ment of Economic Development (NCDED)
The N iagara County Department of Economic Development p rovide s needed professional planning services to the municipalities, citizens and organizations within Niagara County . The Department promotes orderly growth and d evelopment through the dissemination of information, preparation of plans, projects and programs and provision of technical services.

The NCDED promotes sustainable economic development in harmony with the natural environment, creating and retaining jobs, expanding the tax base and improving the quality of life for Niagara County residents under the direction of the Niagara County Manager and policies and programs of the Niagara County Legislature.Proposal For the Small Community

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## L. Conclusion

Significant developments have taken plac e at the NFIA over the past several years because the community understands the magnitude of having a fully operational international airport located within such close proximity of their residence, business or institution.

The NCDED and the Stakeholde rs Group understand the significance of securing additional funding to support the NFTA in their marketing agen da for the NFIA. NFIA remains an attractive alternative to the currently congested major North American international airports. The NFIA is
ide ally suited and strategically located to accommodate various types of air services , and is a community treasure waiting to be cultivated.

The close proximity of the airport to the Canadian

- USA border, its location adjacent to a major highway system, and it s placement amid a massive Canadian and U.S. population base, offer vast operational advantages. While the community and region support the NFTA’s marketing mission, additional funding sources are needed to maximize support and promotion of the

NFIA. With the financial assistance of an USDOT

- SCASDP award , the Stakeholders can further augment costs and provide the funding sources necessary to continue the Stakeholders Group mission of growing the NFIA into an expansive regional and community asset , with a s ignificant positive economic impact on the Greater Niagara Region

.