y ^ ^ BRAINERDLAKES 

CHAMBER November 18,2011 

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To: Dennis Devany, U.S. DO T : :! OHt:RA! IONS 

Fr: LisaPaxton, CEO, Brainerd Lakes Chamlw>^jj^..<(t^^^L^ ^ i H' ? I P I: QQ 

Re: Scheduled air service for the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport 

Reliable, affordable, and quality air service to the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport is essential to 

the economic vitality of our region. The area has enjoyed a long relationship with Delta (and its 

predecessors) and enplanements have grown steadily in recent years. 

The Airport is positioning itself for continued - and even expanded - service through its recent 

runway extension, and improvements to the terminal that include an overall modernization of the 

terminal, enlarging the screened passenger holding area, baggage area, counter space, and 

investment in a je t bridge. 

The Brainerd Lakes region wa s one of the fastest growing areaslri Minnesota prior to the 

recession. We'r e recently experiencing renewed commercial and industrial activity and believe 

we are on our way to accelerated growth once again. Several national and international 

companies are located in our area that relies on air service. An example is Landis+Gyr, who 

shared these comments abgut air service: 

"Landis+Gyr condticts business and serves clie'nf'focated all over the world. The center of excellence in 

the Brainerd area employs nearly 200 people, many of whom travel on a regular basis to support 

customers, manage business operations and grow the business. "Reliable, convenient and affordable 

airlift, is critical to our business operation", stated Becky Lorentz, Operations Director for the Pequot 

Lakes site. "Over the past twelve months more than 2,000 Delta flight instances were taken by 

employees or customers of Landis+Gyr that included the Brainerd Regional airport. The time and cost 

savings afforded by quality air service in our region is essentiaL Ourb'usiriiss has grown into becoming a - -

loyal partner of Delta through their Brainerd Regional airport service." 

We enjoy outstanding lifestyle amenities such as superior medical, education, natural 

environment, recreation, and technology infrastructure. We are an attractive retirement 

destination. We are also attracting individuals and families thaitcan live and work where they 

choose because of this technology. They are reliant on scheduled air service to fly throughout the 

world to serve clients. These individuals regularly fill early morning flights from Brainerd. 

We are grateful for Great Lakes application to provide continued air service and if they are 

selected, we look forward to helping promote the "fly local" option. We are partnering with M n BRAINERD 

D OT to survey businesses and residents tO' better imderstand their flying decisions locally vs. ^ . ,''° ^""J^? 

•' .1 -.J ' Brainerd, MN 56401 

Mh^ . 218.829.2838 

CROSSLAKE 

We believe it is important that the quality and comfort of the current planes serving Brainerd is PO BOX 315 

maintained, with cabins tall enough to comfortably stand, seating capacity and flight frequency ^°^^ ^2^13 6921828 

to serve our region, and access to a jet bridge for handicapped access. Because of the recreational PEQUQ-J L^KES 

nature of our area, and our reputation as a premiere vacation destination, many of the air po Box 208 

travelers are arriving here with golf clubs, hockey bags, etc. and it is important that the plane^^ai^i-^^^^' "^^ ^^*^^ 

equipped to accommodate these items. WELCOME CENTER 

7393 State Highway 371 

Thank you for your consideration. Brainerd, MN 55401 

218.829.2833 

800.450.2838 

www.explorebrainerdlakes.coin