U.S. Department of Transportation Office ofthe Secretary OfTransportation

The Honorable Richard Hudson U.S. House ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Hudson: t r"; : __

j ·,.. (j 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E. Washington, DC 20590

Thank you for your letter supporting the application submitted bythe Concord 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. Underthe statute, the Departmentmay make a maximum of40 grant awards each year, although no more than four 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 inthe 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 onthe merits ofany particularproposal. I assure youthatthe Department will give full and fair considerationto all proposals that have beenproperly filed. As is our standardpractice, 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.

ice DevelopmentRICHARD HUDSON 8TH DISTRICT, NORTH CAROLINA
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY CHAIRMAN, TRANSPORTATION SECURITY SUBCOMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

AND THE WORKFORCE STEERING COMMITTEE

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ASSISTANT WHIP
Brooke Chapman, Associate Director Office ofAviation Analysis U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590
Dear Associate Director Chapman: August 1, 2013 429 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 2051 5 (202) 225-371 5
325 MCGILL AYE., STE. 500 CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA 28027 (704) 786-1 612
1 015 FAYETTEVILLE RD. ROCKINGHAM, NORTH CAROLINA 28379 (91 0) 997-2070

Ithas come to my attention thatthe Concord Regional Airport is applying for a Small Community Air Service Development Program grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office ofAviation Analysis. The airport is requestiRg $250,000 for marketing supportto advertise new, low-cost commercial service atthe airport. As you know, neighboring Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is one ofthebusiest airports inthe world. However, airline fares are 29% higher than other east coast fares. Concord Regional Airport is seeking commercial air service for the first time, targeted to beginlaterthis year. I understand they wish to provide an alternate service through low cost, less-than-daily carriers. Such service will be unique to the area and help provide fare reliefto the east coast's most expensive market. I hope that youwill grant this request fair and prompt consideration as you evaluate their application. I appreCiate your attention to this matter. Sincerely,

RICHARD HUDSON Member ofCongress
Cc: · The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJerseyAve, SE Washington, DC 20590

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