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\: >vijif y LAKELAND LINDER 

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Florida House of Representatives 

Representative Kelli Stargel 

District 64 

District Office: Tallahassee Office: 

P.O. Box 2839 405 I louse Omce Building 

Lakeland, FL 33806 402 South Monroe Street 

863-614-9156 Tallahassee, FL 32399 

863-614-9158-Fax 850-488-2270 

kelli.stareel(?<!mvnoridahouse.gov 

August! 8, 2010 

The Honorable Ray LaHood 

Secretary 

U.S. Department of Transportation p 

400 7th Street, SW Room 10200 cr. 

Washington, DC 20590 ^ 

Secretary LaHood: 

I gladly support Lakeland Linder Regional Airport's grant application for the Departm^^^^ 

Transportation's Small Community Air Service Development Program. The Airport's g^Tof 

attracting low fare commercial service, while fostering economic growth and inijrf'oving the 

quality of life for the citizens in our cominunity is perfectly on target. A low fare canier will play 

a pivotal role in the ftiture growth of Lakeland and Polk County. 

The City of Lakeland and the Florida Depailment of Transportation ("FDOT") have both 

recognized the importance of the Airport to tliis region. The City has chosen to invest over $1.4M 

on infrastructure projects to prepare for commercial service. Additionally, the City already 

provides police and fire ser\'ices at no cost to the airport, providing a significant savings to the 

rate base which any fiiture cairiers would otherwise have to pay. FDOT has granted the airport 

$2.0M to fund the improvements necessary to accommodate scheduled flight operations; these 

include ticketing areas, baggage claim, a security checkpoint, access controls, CCTV, and offices 

for the Transportation Security Administration. 

Lakeland Linder Regional Airport currently operates under a Part 139 Certificate and is 

completing its work with the T.S.A. to be in a position to launch its commercial program in the 

beginning of 2011. Low fare service to Lakeland would not only benefit our region, but also the 

other small communities where the flights will operate, providing those cities with the economic 

benefit of stimulated air travel and lower airfares. 

Ideally situated between Orlando and Tampa, the Airport is located by the Polk Parkway, 1-4, and 

a future liigh speed rail system. Tliis location advantage will enable easy access to and from the 

Senior Legislative Assistant - Rachel Barnes District Assistant - Chris Dowdy 

COMMITTEES: 

PreK-12 Appropriations Committee (Vice Chair); PreK-12 Policy Committee; Education Policy Council; 

Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee 
The Honorable Ray LaHood 

August 18,2010 -

Page 2 

Airport with ground transportation alternatives available to move passengers to. their final 

destination witliin Polk County, or its neighboring Hillsborough and Orange County. Lakeland is 

less than an hour from Tampa or from the major attractions in Orlando. Marketing money from 

the grant will not only be used to raise awareness about this easy access to Orlando and Tampa; 

but also to establish Polk County as a convenient and affordable place to stay for tourists wanting 

to take advantage of both destinations. This will drive significant hotel, rental cai;, restaurant, and 

attraction revenue for the entire region. 

Central Florida has been one of the hardest hit areas during this recession. The increased traffic 

the Air Service would bring to our region would be extremely beneficial to this Region and to the 

State through added tourist and business travel. 1 support air service to the Lakeland Airport and 

anticipate the economic, transportation and quality of life benefits to be important to the recovery 

of the Region. 

1/ 

Lelli Stargel /Y 

State Representative, Di«rict 64