THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON. D.C. 20590 

September 09 , 2011 

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•RATION: 

The Honorable Bill Cassidy 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Congressman Cassidy: 

Thank you for your letter supporting the proposal submitted by the Baton Rouge Metropolitan 

Airport Authority for a grant under the Small Community Air Service Development Program. 

The Small Community Program was established to help smaller communities address air service 

deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares and insufficient service. Under the 

statute, the U.S. Department of Transportation may make a maximum of 40 grant awards each 

year, although no more than 4 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 

allows 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 can assure you, however, that the Department will give full consideration to all 

proposals that have been properly filed. 

As is our normal practice, 1 am placing a co ^ of your letter and this response in Docket 

DOT-OST-2011-0119 as a contact outsidi?^e record of this matter. I appreciate your interest in 

this program. If I can provide further ijjffgrmation or assistance, pleasj>*^el free to call me. 
SI 0-110826-003 

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House of'Representatioes 

'DDoBlnnston.BC 20515 

August 2nd, 2011 

Honorable Raymond H. LaHood 

Secretary, United States Department of Transportation 

400 Seventh Street, SW 

Room 10200 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretaiy LaHood: 

I am writing in support of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport Authority's application to secure funding under the 

Department of Transportation's Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) for nonstop flights to 

Washington, DC. 

The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport is one of the economic pillars for the Baton Rouge area, providing the global air 

transportation that is vital fw business development and trade. In 2010, the Baton Rouge Metro Airport experienced year-overyear enplanement growth of over 9%, reversing a three-year decline in passenger enplanements. As the second largest city in 

Louisiana and the state capital, it is importam that this growth be sustained as a catalyst to further econonuc development 

The Washington metro area is the third largest airline origin and destination (O&D) market for Baton Rouge, and the largest 

without nonstop service. Additionally, nonstop service from and to state capitals is particularly Important Such a route has 

national and statewide importance, but Baton Rouge remains one of the largest state capitals without nonstop service. 

Beyond the importance of nonstop service for the state's capital, Washington flights are needed by virtually all top employers 

in the Baton Rouge regmn. These include a number of Fortune 1000 conqianies headquartered in Baton Rouge such as The 

Shaw Group and Albemarle Corporation. The Baton Rouge area is a major factor in the petrochemical indusu^. ExxonMobil 

operates the 2nd largest refinery in North America here, and many other industry gianu have production facilities in the region. 

Washington is also a top destination for the medical industry and area universities, including Louisiana State University and 

Southern University. 

It is my understanding that Baton Rouge to Washington service is under consideration by US Airways to Washington-Reagan 

(DCA) and United/Continental to Washington-Dulles (IAD). The addition of incentives through the Small Community Air 

Service Development Program could make the difference in securing this service for Baton Rouge. 

Given the significant economic benefits nonstop Washington flights will generate for Greater Baton Rouge, I appreciate your 

consideration of the Airport Authority's SCASDP application. 

Sincerely, 

il:llC^ 

Bill Cassidy 

Member of Congress