e r^^NT OF 

ON! 

US. Department Of 

Transportation 

Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

1EP0RT/Vi,v;r. 

7 0 D 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

• 5 ' I 

The Honorable Michael F. Bennet 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510 

SEP 2 1 2011 

Dear Senator Bennet: 

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the Fort Collins-Loveland 

Municipal Airport for a grant under the Small Community Air Service Development 

Program (Small Community Program). 

The Small Community Program v^^as 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 

fijll 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, 

Aloha Ley 

Associate Director 

Small Community Program 
^ . •MICHAEL F. BENNET WASHINGTON, DC: 

*• rn i nPAn n 458 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING 

l,ULunAU U WASHINGTON, DC 20510 

(202)224-5852 1 

COMMITTEES: /SI- * ' J /"> ' r> ^ COLORADO: 

AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY jflnitEll /^t^tES /^Efl^tE 2300 15THSTREET 

''''URBANTFFA'RS''' ' WASHINGTON , DC 20510-0609 "'--"- ' 

htlp://www. bennet.senate.gov 

HEALTH , EDUCATION, LABOR, 

AND PENSIONS 

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING 

August 1,2011 

Aloha Ley 

Associate Director 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Small Community Program, W86-310 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport's Application (DUNS #0764814070000) for a Small 

Community Air Service Development Pilot Program Grant (CFDA DOT-OST-2011-0119) 

Dear Ms. Ley: 

I am pleased to support an application recently submitted by the Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport 

for the Small Community Air Service Development Pilot Program Grant. If approved, fiinding will 

support the development of an air service strategic plan which will be used to increase awareness of 

airport initiatives, support incumbent carriers, provide new jobs, and improve the region's access to the 

air transportation network. 

The Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport is one of 14 certified commercial service airports in the 

state of Colorado and it serves approximately 35,000 passengers each year. Recent additions of 

destinations such as the Mesa Airport have elevated the need for a comprehensive plan to introduce other 

potential service routes. Grant funds will support the critical planning and development of the general 

aviation, corporate, and air carrier community. 

The Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport has served residents and businesses well in Northern 

Colorado. The Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce, The Loveland Chamber of Commerce and the 

Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation are among several community groups voicing 

their support for this grant application. As the demand grows for regional transportation by flight, the 

strategic development of long-range goals and objectives will ensure that the airport continues to be a 

successful economic generator. 

I encourage you to give the grant application submitted by the Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport 

every appropriate consideration consistent with all applicable laws and regulations. Thank you for your 

attention, and please notify my office of funds awarded. 

Sincerely, 

Michael F. Bennet 

United States Senator 

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER