., 

THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590 

The Honorable Patrick T. McHenry 

U.S. House of Representatives 

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 of Transportation'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 of 40 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 of projects that can be funded. 

On May 15, the Department issued an order requesting 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 of any 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. 
PATRICK T. McHENRY 

1.\<.'.'BER Of CONGRESS 

lOTH C13TRICT,IroRTHCAROWIA 

124 CAMION HOOSE om::e BUlD!!IO WASHINGTON, OC 20515 

(<02) 12S.2578 

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COI.WiTlEfll: 

FINANCIAL SERVICES 

GOVERNMENT REFORM 

June 8, 2012 

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The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary 

U.S. Department ofTransportation 

400 7th Street, SW Room l 0200 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Re: DOT-OST-2012-0069 Small Community Air Service Development Grant 

Dear Secretary LaHood, 

DiSTRICT CfFTCEll: 

a7 FOURTH STREET. 1m 

S\IITEA 

P.O. SOX !SJO 

HICKORY, NC 1!603 

(8ZSJ 327·0 100 Fax: (6l8) 327-8311 

SPRUCE PrNE TOWN HALl 

SPRUCE PINE, PIC mm (828) 7&s.21lll 

FAX: (8Z8) 78s.z701 

311 EAST I.'ARIOH STREET 

SUITE 119 

SHEtSY, NC 28050 . (704)481-0578 

fAX:(704)481~ 

TOLl FREE IN HC 

(600J4n-ms 

r am writing to express my support for the grant request submitted by Asheville Regional Airpmt for 

a Small Community Air Service Develop{I1Chl Grant. In addition to addressing the problem of higher than 

average air fares, receipt of this grant would enable the Asheville Regional Airport to 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 request that the 

Asheville Regional Airport has considerable support and cooperation fi·om the local community and 

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 of the area .. 

I wholeheartedly support this application. If I may 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 of Congress 

PTM/lm