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THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590



### The Honorable Patrick T. McHenry U.S. House ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman McHenry: July 17, 2012



### Thank you tor your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the Asheville Regional Airport for a grant under the U.S. Department ofTransportation's Small Community Air Service Development Program. The Small Community Air Service Development Program was established to help smaller communities address air service deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares or insufficient serviCe. Under the statute, the Department may make a maximum of40 grant awards each year, although no more than 4 awards 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 flexibility in the types ofprojects that can be funded. On May 15, the Department issued an orderrequesting that communities interested in receiving a grant this year file their applications by June 11. As these grant requests are pending before the Department, I cannot comment on the merits ofany particular proposal. I assure you that the Department will give full and tair consider tion to all proposals that have been properly filed. As is our normal practice, I am placiq DOT-OST-2012-0069 as a contact this program.PATRICKT. McHENRY 1.\<.'.'BEROfCONGRESS lOTH C13TRICT,IroRTHCAROWIA 124CAMIONHOOSEom::e BUlD!!IO WASHINGTON, OC 20515 (<02) 12S.2578**F~** (:>02) 225-all6 

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COI.WiTlEfll: FINANCIAL SERVICES GOVERNMENTREFORM June 8, 2012 

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The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation 400 7th Street, SW Room l0200 Washington, D.C. 20590

Re: DOT-OST-2012-0069 Small Community Air Service Development Grant Dear SecretaryLaHood, DiSTRICTCfFTCEll: a7 FOURTH STREET. 1m S\IITEA P.O. SOX !SJO HICKORY, NC 1!603

(8ZSJ 327·0100 Fax: (6l8) 327-8311
SPRUCE PrNETOWNHALl SPRUCEPINE, PICmm (828) 7&s.21lll FAX: (8Z8) 78s.z701
311 EAST I.'ARIOH STREET SUITE 119 SHEtSY, NC 28050

. (704)481-0578**fAX:(704)481~** TOLlFREEIN HC

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## ram writing to express my support for the grant request submitted by Asheville Regional Airpmt for aSmall CommunityAirServiceDevelop{I1Chl Grant. In addition to addressing the problem ofhigher than average air fares, receipt ofthis grant would enable the Asheville Regional Airportto provide services in an area hit bard by substantial econo.mic <li.strcss. Several counties in my district within the Asheville ·Regiomil Airpo.rt's service region are exiting'a decade.where unemployment increased over 750%. These counties are working to recover from an unemployment rate nearly twice the national average, and the suppmt provided by this grant will enhance economic stability for both business access and travel and tourism. In addition to the pmgram merits, it is important to consider in reviewing this requestthat the Asheville Regional Airport has considerable support and cooperation fi·om the local communityand region. As my office has participated in regional meetings with representatives from local government, area business and tourism representatives, as well as economic development expe11s, it is evident that the airpOJ't is a critical link in the overall economic health ofthe area.. Iwholeheartedly supportthis application. IfImay provide further assistance that would help Asheville Regional Airport receive this grant, please do not hesitate to contact my office. I am sure that your office will give Asheville Regional Airp01t's application all proper consideration given current rules, regulations and statutes. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,

# ~~ Member ofCongress PTM/lm