U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary ofTransportation

Mr. Michael B. Seitz President Greater LaPorte Chamber of

Commerce P.O. Box486 La Porte, IN 46352-0486
Dear Mr. Seitz: Assistant Secretary 

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Thank you for your letter to Secretary LaHood supporting the proposal submittedby 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 onhis behalf.
The Small Community Program was established to help smaller communities address air service deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares and insufficient service. Underthe statute, the Department may use the funds to make a maximum of40 grant awards each year, although no more than four may be to communities inthe same State. In orderto provide communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service deficiencies, the statute provides significant flexibility inhow the financial assistance may be used.
OnJuly 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 onthe merits ofany 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 ofyour letter and this response in Docket DOT-OST-2011-0119 as a contact outside the record ofthis matter. I appreciate your interest in this program. IfI can provide further information or assistance, please feel free to call me. Sincerely yours,

Susan 

### L. Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

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# CHAMBER GREATER LA PORTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

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Secretary LaHood United Stat sDepartmentofTransportation 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 Underthe Department ofTran-sporfatiotfSmarrCommunity Air Service Development Program. DOT-OFT-2011-0119

Dear Mr.**Secretary,~** 

### On behalfofThe Greater La Porte**Cha~b~r;ptCommerce,** 

### Iam delighted to support for the Small Community Air Service Development Grant**af!pficat!On'~.UbJO}tted** 

### by the St. Joseph County Airport Authorityfor marketing funding to encourage

## a new

## carrierlei"enter the South Bend marketwith non-stop service to Denver, CO. · Airservice development is importantfor the economic health ofour 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 airservice at South Bend Airport by supporting this application underthe 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