U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

SEP 11 2014 

Ms. Emily Pickering, IOM 

Assistant Secretary · 

Director, Gulfport Chamber of Commerce 

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 of Transportation'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 of 40 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 of air service development projects that can be funded. 

On June 30, the Department issued an order setting a deadline of July 31 for applications. As 

these grant requests are pending before the Department, I cannot comment on the merits of any 

particular proposal. 1 assure 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 of your letter and this response in Docket 

DOT -OST -2014-0113 as a contact outside the record of this 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 Anthony Foxx 

Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 ,' 

. I 

Dear Secretary Foxx: 

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 grant is a critical element to helping GPT restore lost air service. Leisure 

and business customers are crucial to the recovery and sustainability of the Mississippi Gulf 

Coast economy which h~s been deeply impacted in past years by Hurricane Katrina, the Gulf · 

of Mexico oil spill and the nationwide economic downturn. 

Due to the declining levels of overall airline competition and the loss of Gulfport-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 Gulf Coast 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 of Commerce 

A Division of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 

Gulfport Chamber of Commerce 

11975E Seaway Road 

Gulfport Mississippi 39503 

228-604-0014