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SEP 2 1 2011 The Honorable Robert G. Ortt 

Mayor of North Tonawanda 

North Tonawanda, NY 14120 

Dear Mayor Ortt: 

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the Niagara County 

Department of Economic Development for a grant under the Small Community Air 

Service Development Program (Small Community Program). 

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, 

v\ 

Aloha Ley 

Associate Director 

Small Commimity Program 
CITY OF NORTH TONAWANDA 1 

ROBERT G. ORTT 

July 28, 2011 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

S**" Floor, Room W86-310 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Niagara County Center for Economic Development 

Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant Application 

To Whom It May Concern: 

On behalf of the Company/Person, I am writing in strong support of the Niagara County Center 

for Economic Development (NCCED) application to the US Department of Transportation Small 

Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP). The NCCED proposes to request funds 

designed to provide financial assistance to help enhance air service operations and marketing 

of the Niagara Falls International Airport (NFIA). 

The NFIA is an attractive alternative to currently congested major North American International 

airports. With its 10,825 ft. main runway, 24-hour operation (no curfews), 24 hr. operations 

services, excellent access to inspection agencies, and price competitive landing fees, the NFIA is 

ideally suited and strategically located to accommodate various types of aviation operations 

suited for business and leisure use. The close proximity of the airport to the Canada/USA 

border, its location just off a major highway, and its central location to the Canada and USA 

population base, offer great economic advantages. 

Significant developments and investment has been made at the airport. This has created 

private investment throughout the community and has secured additional transportation needs 

and opportunities. Grant funding from the SCASDP is needed to ensure that these new 

developments continue to grow. 

City Hall, 216 Payne Avenue, North Tonawanda, NY 14120 • 716-695-8540 • 716-695-8541 (Fax) 

robertort@northtonawanda.org 
oocThe local stakeholder community cannot completely fund their marketing airport initiatives and 

provide incentives to entice additional airline carriers. Federal assistance is needed to 

complete this important task. A SCASDP award will help expand the airport's existence, bring 

greater involvement to the community while enhancing economic competiveness. 

I am confident that the NCCED grant request will greatly improve quality of life throughout 

Western New York and act as a model initiative that could assist future airlines to invest 

throughout our community that benefits stakeholders and tourist to our region. 

I ask that this grant application be given very careful consideration. Thank you for your time and 

attention to this matter. 

Faithfully Yours, 

Robert G. Ortt 

Mayor 

City of North Tonawanda