e 

us. Department of 

Transportation 

Office of The Secretary 

of Transportation 

Assistant Secretary 

SEP 0 9 ZOlt 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Wasliington, DC 20590 

Mr. Jeremy L. Shifflett 

Chairman 

Augusta County Board of Supervisors 

Augusta County Government Center 

P.O. Box 590 

Verona, VA 24482-0590 

Dear Mr. Shifflett: 

-a 

CO 

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ro 

- \ ^ 

6-3 

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

Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission for a grant under the Small 

Community Air Service Development Program (Small Community Program). The 

Secretary has asked that I ^spond 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 

fiill 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 
SlO-110722-

COUNTY OF AUGUSTA, VA. 

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 

LAHRY C. HOWDYSHELl GERAID W. 6ARBER 

North River Middle River 

TRACY C. PYLE5, JR. WENDELL L. COLEMAN 

Pastures JEREMY M. SHIFFLETT Wayne 

Beverley Manor 

NANCY TAYLOR SORREIS DAVID E. BEYLER '''^?~£»^ ^ PATRICK i . COFFIELD - COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR 

Riverheads South River AUGUSTA COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER 

P.O. BOX 590, VERONA, VA 24482-0590 

(540) 245-5610 FAX (540) 245-5521 

coadmin@co.augusta.va.us 

11-087 

July 13. 2011 

Ray LaHood 

Secretary of Transportation 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

I am writing to you today on behalf of the County of Augusta, which is one of the five 

membership jurisdictions that created the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission. 

We strongly support the Grant Application before the Department of Transportation by the 

Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission under the Small Community Air Service 

Development Program. 

We value the many benefits of our regional airport and have invested significantly in its 

development over the years. The Airport is critical to the economic vitality of our region 

and its future. Our community was dramatically impacted in the months and years 

following September 11, 2001. Prior to 2001 our community had proven that given the 

viable and economical access, it can sustain unsubsidized air service. 

Recently our incumbent air carrier, Colgan Air, introduced United Express sen/ice to 

Washington Dulles International Airport. This new service has brought greatly improved 

fares along with improved connectivity for our passengers. Colgan also upgraded the 

aircraft used in the market. This represents the first substantive improvement in our 

service in many years. 

Initial response to this change has been very favorable; however, our challenge as a 

community is to communicate this improvement in air service, fares and equipment. To 

overcome the past seven years of less than desirable service, an aggressive, sustained 

marketing campaign is needed to adequately communicate this positive change. The 

cost of implementing such a program exceeds available local resources. 
22-011 

Ray LaHood 

July 13. 2011 

Page 2 

Should the Department of Transportation award a grant to the Shenandoah Valley 

Regional Airport Commission, we feel strongly that it would result in improved 

passenger traffic, increased revenue for the carrier and lessen or possibly eliminate our 

community's reliance for subsidy under the Essential Air Service Program. 

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this application. 

Jeremy L. Shifflett 

Chairman 

PJC/jts 

cc; Augusta County Board of Supervisore 

Patrick J. CofTield, County Administrator 

Greg Campbell, Executive Director, Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport 

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