U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

Mr. Michael B. Seitz 

President 

Greater La Porte Chamber of 

Commerce 

P.O. Box486 

La Porte, IN 46352-0486 

Dear Mr. Seitz: 

Assistant Secretary 

'LJli\fllMENT OF ··: ··. i •. :(•'.'nR·~~:,-10'1 , .J '.: '! 1.:YU, · /, 'I ~ 1\« 200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

' kTT (Wr,..Pt\Ti'('JNVa"shington DC 20590 '•• 0 l,~o' l ' .. ·'! ~~ ]J \ ... t 'i\,j I 

SEP 2 2 2011 

Thank you for your letter to Secretary LaHood supporting the proposal submitted by the 

St. Joseph County Airport Authority for a grant under the Small Community Air Service 

Development Program (Small Community Program). The Secretary has asked that I 

respond on his behalf. 

The Small Community 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 use the funds 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 1, the Department issued an order requesting that communities interested in 

receiving a grant this year file their applications by August 2. 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-2011-0119 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, 

Susan L. Kurland 

Assistant Secretary for 

Aviation and International Affairs 
s 1 0-ll 080 l-024 

I {! v\,ly 

) t 

CHAMBER GREATER LA PORTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

leafS 

Secretary LaHood 

United Stat s Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Monday, Ju\y 25.2011 

LA PORTE ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT FOUNDATION 

RE: Support of the St Joseph County Airpon_~_u_toe>rl~~cationfor Funding Under the 

Department of Tran-sporfatiotfSmarrCommunity Air Service Development Program. 

DOT-OFT-2011-0119 

Dear Mr. Secretary,~ 

On behalf of The Greater La Porte Cha~b~r;ptCommerce, I am delighted to support for the Small 

Community Air Service Development Grant af!pficat!On'~.UbJO}tted by the St. Joseph County Airport 

Authority for marketing funding to encourage a new carrier lei" enter the South Bend market with 

non-stop service to Denver, CO. · 

Air service development is important for the economic health of our region. Businesses and 

residents must have access to the global transportation system at affordable fares. South Bend 

Airport's importance to the region cannot be overstated. Our quality of life in northern Indiana is 

linked to the airporfs growth now and in the future. 

This application is an excellent opportunity for St. Joseph County Airport Authority to leverage 

scarce resources to help develop air service at South Bend Airport by supporting this application 

under the Small Community Air Service Development Grant program. 

The potential benefit to our region is great. We urge you to fully fund the request from the South 

Bend Regional Airport. 

803 WASHINGTON ST. • P.O. BOX 486 • LA PORTE, IN 46352~0486 

PHONE (219) 362·3178 ·FAX (219) 324-7349 • www.lpchamber.com