### U.S. Department of Transportation 

### Office ofthe Secretary OfTransportation



### The Honorable Dr. Lester G. Jackson, III Georgia Senate Atlanta, GA 30334
Dear Dr. Jackson: -, i' 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E. Washington, DC 20590



### Thank you for your letter supporting the application submitted by the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport for a grant underthe 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. Underthe statute, the Departmentmay make a maximum of40 grant awards each year, although no more than four awards may be to communities inthe same State. In orderto provide communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service deficiencies, the statute provides flexibility in the types ofprojects that canbe funded.
On June 24, the Department issued an order setting a deadline ofJuly 26 for applications. As these grant requests are pending before the Department, I cannot comment on the merits ofany particularproposal. I assure youthat the Departmentwill give full and fair considerationto all proposals that have been properly filed.
As is our standard practice, I amplacing a copy ofyour letter and this response in Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120 as a contact outside the record ofthis matter. I appreciate your interest in this program. Sincerely yours,

c· te Director unity Air Service DevelopmentDR. LESTER G. JACKSON III DEMOCRATIC DEPUTY WHIP Senator, District 2 -;1.501 Abercorn Street Savannah, Georgia 31401 Tel: (912) 233-3345
206 Wa;;hington Street, S.W. Suite432 State Capitol Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Tel: (404) 463-5261 Fax: (404) 463-5547
E-mail: lester:jackson@senate.ga.gov

Ms. Brooke Chapman Associate Director Small Community Air Service Development Office ofAviationOfAnalysis U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Ave., 

### SE Washington, DC 20590 Room W86-307 l'

July 25, 2013

Re:**S~all** Community Air Service Development Program DocketDOT-OST-2'013-0120
DearMs. Chapman: COMMITTEES: Agriculture & Consumer**Affair~** Economic Development Health & HumanServices

.. Higher Education Urban Affairs

I am pleased to support the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport's request for the Department of Transportation's Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant. Supporting the Airport's objective of attracting affordable air service to our region will benefit both Savannah and the surrounding area's tourism and economic growth.
The airport is currently in discussions with JetBlue Airways to bring service to Savannah/Hilton Head International. The presence ofa new airline at SAV would play a majorrole in satisfying the needs ofresidents and visitors alike and wouldhave a positive effect on Hilton Head Island andthe surrounding communities.
I hope that the highest consideration will be given to the Airport's application for this grant in an effort to improve our local air service for the benefit ofbusiness and leisure travelers alike. It is crucial that all communities have access to a national air transportation system with competitive options without compromise by higher average airfares when comparedto other communities. Respectfully,

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# v Dr. Lester G. Jackson, III

State Senator, District 2