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



## SEP 11 2014

Ms. Emily Pickering, IOM Assistant Secretary ·

Director, Gulfport Chamber ofCommerce 11975 E Seaway Road Gulfport, MS 39503
Dear Ms. Pickering: 1200 New Jersey Avenue. SE Washington, DC 20590

Thank you for your l.etter, addressed to Secretary Foxx, supporting the proposal submitted by Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport for a grant under the U.S. Department ofTransportation's Small Community Air Service Development Program. Secretary Foxx asked that I respond to you on his behalf.
The Small Community Air Service Development 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 make a maximum of40 grant awards each year, although no more than four may be to communities in the same State. To provide communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service deficiencies, the statute provides tlexibility in the types ofair service development projects that can be funded.
On June 30, the Department issued an order setting a deadline ofJuly 31 for applications. As these grant requests are pending before the Department, I cannot comment on the merits ofany particular proposal. 1assure you, however, that the Department will give full and fair consideration to ail proposals that have been properly filed.
As is our standard practice, I an1 placing a copy ofyour letter and this response in Docket DOT-OST-2014-0113 as a contact outside the record ofthis matter. I appreciate your interest in this progran1. Sincerely yours, 

# suY0**~Susan** L. Kurland Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs

### July 30, 2014

The Honorable AnthonyFoxx Secretary, U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New JerseyAve, 

### SE Washington, DC 20590 ,'

. I 

### Dear SecretaryFoxx:
The Gulfport Chamber of Commerce would like to express its support for Gulfport-Biloxi lliternational Airport (GPT)'s application for a Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant The grantis a critical elementto helpingGPT restorelostair service. Leisure and business customers are crucial to the recovery and sustainability ofthe Mississippi Gulf Coast economywhich**h~s** 

### been deeplyimpacted in pastyears byHurricane Katrina, the Gulf · ofMexico oil spill and the nationwide economic downturn.
Due to thedeclininglevels ofoverall airline competition and theloss ofGulfport-Biloxi's only low-cost carrier in March of 2011, the Mississippi Gulf Coast tourism industry is missing much needed tourism revenue. Having low cost service in the market would open the Mississippi GulfCoast to many more visitors and enhance the local economy. The ultimate goal is**t~** 

### target carriers that can positively impact this tomjst**d~stination. Th~**  

### Small Community Air Service Development Grant is critical in finalizing an agreement with a targeted air carrier. It is my hope that you will give their application every possible consideration.
Sincerest regards,

Emily.Pickering, 10M Director, Gulfport Chamber ofCommerce ADivision ofthe Mississippi GulfCoast Chamber ofCommerce, Inc.
Gulfport Chamber of Commerce 11975E Seaway Road Gulfport Mississippi 39503 228-604-0014