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'^ ^:':c;POR!ATIOH 

US. Department of 1200 New jersey Avenue, SE 

Transportatio n - , ^ _ Washington, DC 20590 

Office of the Secretary - ^- ^ J 

of Transportation 

The Honorable Michael P. Bell 

Mayor of Toledo 

Toledo, OH 43604 

Dear Mayor Bell: 

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the City of Rhinelander 

and County of Oneida 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 fimds 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 fiirther information or assistance, please feel 

free to call me. 

Sincerely yours, 

^^(^ ^ 

Aloha Ley 

Associate Director 

Small Community Program 
T 

MICHAE L P. BELL 

JVlAYOR 

Aloha Ley 

Small Community Air Service Development Program 

United States Department of Transportation 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

July 27, 2011 

Director Ley: 

Over the past decade Toledo Express Airport has suffered fi-om a significant decline in its 

air service, and airline capacity at Toledo Express is down more than 70% fi"om 2003. 

I am writing this letter to show my support for Toledo Express Airport and their 

application fpra Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant. 

This grant would be used to attract new air service for Toledo Express and to improve air 

service needs to our communities'. 

With a commitment to match the grant funding with significant local cash and in-kind 

matches, Toledo Express Airport and its partners are throwing their full support behind 

establishing a comprehensive new air service incentive program which includes ground 

handling support and start-up phase fee waivers. The combination of the grant supported 

marketing and promotional funding and the incentive programs will provide Toledo 

Express the resources it needs to bolster local air travel demand and to re-establish some 

of the air service that has been lost in recent years. 

As a member of the Toledo Region, I strongly m-ge you to give the Toledo Small 

Community Grant Application favorable consideration. 

Sincerely, 

MichdelPlBer 

Mayonof/Toledowms 

One Government Center Suite 2200 Toledo, Ohio 43604 

Office (419)245-1004 Fax (419)245-1370 

E-mail mayor@toledo.oh.gov 
T 

JMicHAE L P . BEL L 

MAYO R 

July 29,2011 

Aloha Ley 

Associate Director 

Small Community Air Service Development Program 

United States Department of Transportation 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Director Ley: 

Toledo Express Airport has suffered from a significant decline in its air service over the 

past decade and airline capacity at Toledo Express is down more than 70% from 2003. 

In light of this circumstance Toledo Express Airport and its community partners have 

made an application for a Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant. 

This Grant would be used to attract new air service from Toledo Express to improve our 

communities' air service needs. 

Toledo Express Airport and its partners will match the Grant funding with significant 

local cash and in-kind matches. The Airport has also developed a comprehensive new air 

service incentive program, including ground handling support and startup phase fee 

waivers. The combination of the Grant supported marketing and promotional fimding and 

the Airport developed incentive program vnW give Toledo the tools it needs to reverse the 

leakage of local air travel demand to other airports and re-establish some of the air 

service that has been lost in recent years. 

As a member of the Toledo Region, I urge you to give the Toledo Small Community 

Grant Application favorable consideration. Your consideration is greatly appreciated. 

Sincere y, 

One Government Center Suite 2200 Toledo, Ohio 43604 

Office (419)245-1004 Fax (419)245-1370 

E-mail mayor@toledo.oh.gov