U.S. Department of Transportation Office ofthe Secretary OfTransportation

The Honorable Earl L. (Buddy) Carter Georgia Senate Atlanta, GA 30334 Dear Mr. Carter: . ; 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 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 Department may make a maximum of40 grant awards each year, although no more than four awards maybe to communities inthe same State. In order to provide communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service deficiencies, the statuteprovides flexibility inthe types ofprojects that can be funded. On June 24, the Department issued an order setting a deadline ofJuly 26 for applications. As these grantrequests are pending before the Department, I cannot comment onthe merits ofany particular proposal. I assure you that the Department will give full and fair considerationto all proposals thathave beenproperly filed. As is our standard practice, I am placing a copy ofyour letter and this response inDocket DOT-OST-2013-0120 as a contact outside the record ofthis matter. I appreciate your interest in this program. Sincerely yours,EARL L. (BUDDY) CARTER District 1 P.O. Box222 Pooler, Georgia 31322

Tel: (912) 604-5149 421-B State Capitol Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Tel: (404) 656-5109 Fax: (404) 651-6768 E-mail: Buddy.Carter@senate.ga.gov

Brooke Chapman Associate Director 

# The State Senate Atlanta, Georgia 30334

July 23, 2013

Small Community Air Service Development Office ofAviation ofAnalysis U.S. Department ofTransportation Re: Small Community Air Service Development Program DocketDOT-OST-2013-0120 DearMs. Chapman: COMMITTEES: CHAIRMAN, Public Safety Appropriations Health and Human Services Higher Education

I ampleased to supportthe Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport's request for the Department ofTransportation's Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant. Supporting the Airport's objective ofattracting affordable air service to ourregion will benefitboth Savannah andthe 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 SA V would play a majorrole in satisfying the needs ofresidents and visitors alike and would have a positive effect on HiltonHead Island and the surrounding communities. I hope thatthe 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. Itis 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. Sincerely,

Senator Earl L. (Buddy) Carter