Venango County 

Courthouse Annex 

1174 Elk Street, P.O. Box 831 

Franklin, PA 16323 

814/432-9512 FAX 814/432-4741 

July 16, 2010 

Mr. Dennis J. DeVany, Chief 

Essential Air Service Division, X-53 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: EAS at Venango Regional Airport 

Commissioners 

Timothy S. Biool<s 

Troy A. Wood 

Janet D. Bcicbner 

Solicitor 

Richard Winkler 

Chief Clerk/County 

Administrator 

Denisc W. Jones 

Dear Mr. OeVany, 

We are following up to your letter dated July 8, 2010, to Airport Manager Otho Bell requesting 

connments from us regarding the proposals from air carriers to provide air transportation to the 

Venango Regional Airport. 

<o 

Venango County has been experiencing an economic downturn for more than 12 years, beginning in 

1996 when the corporate headquarters of Quaker State and then Pennzoil began their departure from 

our area. It continued with additional manufacturing and plant closings which of course, had a negative 

impact on our business community. It has been our goal, our mission to rejuvenate the region through 

various economic development efforts and even though it has been a slow process, we are beginning to 

see the fruits of our labor. One of the key factors in promoting our rural region to businesses that are 

considering relocating here is our ability to provide reliable and affordable transportation to the rest of 

the world. We cannot achieve this without federal subsidies that allow carriers to provide air services 

to the Venango Regional Airport. 

The communities of Franklin/Oil City support Gulfstream's option # 1 service through Cleveland and 

they are committed to working closely with the Airport and Gulfstream through the Save our Service 

(SOS) effort to improve passenger enplanements that will result in less than the $200 subsidy per 

passenger cap. The service offered using Cleveland as a hub will provide our community with more nonstop destinations and reasonable connections and fares that will be attractive to businesses as well as 

citizens who want to utilize their local airport instead of driving 100 miles to access airport services. 

Gulfstream has proven to be very customer-conscious and the Continental Connection/Continental 

brand is becoming a favorite in this region. The Airport Manager is keen on customer service and is 
always willing to go that extra mile to provide information and coordinate schedules between the public 

and the air carrier in an effort to promote and mcrease air travel. In addition, the Venango Regional 

Airport provides a cost free business environment for the carrier further enhancing their ability to 

provide efficient and cost effective services to our area. These initiatives will assist in making the SOS 

effort successful. 

The region is experiencing the beginnings of a positive trend in business development. Convenient, 

dependable and affordable scheduled air service is a key element in the success of this venture. Viable 

commercial air service will allow our rural area to compete with larger urban areas by leveling the 

playing field, which is essential for business development and sustained economic growth in the Oil 

Region. 

We ask for your favorable consideration of our request and ask that you recommend Gulfstream's 

option #1 proposal to the Deputy Secretary. 

Sincerely, 

BOARD OF VENANGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 

':^i€'^->^ 

Timothys. Brooks, Chairman 

Troy A. Wood 

Jarjt^t D. Beichner 

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