# 1 THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590

The Honorable Tom Harkin United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Harkin: September 25, 2013 ; _·: 

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Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supportingthe application submitted bythe Quad City International 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 tohelp smaller communities address air service deficiencies, particularly issues related tohighairfares or insufficient service. Underthe statute, the Department may make a maximum of40 grant awards each year, althoughno more than four awards may be to communities inthe same State. In ordertoprovide communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service deficiencies, the statuteprovides flexibility inthe types ofprojects that canbe funded. On June 24, the Department issued an order setting a deadline ofJuly 26for applications. As these grant requests are pending before the Department, I cannot comment onthe merits ofany particular proposal. 

### I assure you thatthe Department will give full and fair consideration to all proposals that have been properly filed. Asis our standard practice, I an1 placing a copy ofyour letter and this respo11se inDocket DOT-OST-2013-0120 as a contact outside therecord ofthismatter. I appreciate yourinterest in this program. A similarresponse has been sent to each cosigner ofyour letter.

Anthony R. Foxx '**·~** l 

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I 

### THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590



### The Honorable Dave Loebsack U.S. House ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Loebsack: September25,2013

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the application submitted by the Quad City International Airportfor a grantunderthe U.S. Departmentof Transportation'sSmall Community Air Service Development Program. The Small Community Air Service Development Program was establishedto help smaller communities address air service deficiencies, pruticularly issues related to high airfares or insufficient service. Underthe statute, the Department may make amaximum of40 grant awards eachyear, although no more than ±bur awards may be to c01nmunities in the same State. 

### In order to provide communities with latitude in developing solutions to their 

### air service deficiencies, the statuteprovides flexibility in the types ofprojects that can be funded. On June 24, the Department issued an order setting adeadline ofJuly 26 for applications. As 

### these grantrequests are pending before the Department, Icannot comment onthe merits ofany particularproposal. I assure you thatthe Department will give full and fair consideration to all proposals thathave been properly filed. As is our standard practice, I amplacing acopy ofyour letterand this response in Docket**DOT~OST~2013-0120** 

### as a contact outside the

### record ofthis matter. I appreciate your interest

### in this progrrun. A similar response has been sent to each cosigner ofyour letter. Sincerely,

Anthony R. 

### Foxx

### THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590

The Honorable Cheri Bustos U.S.**Hou~e** ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congresswoman Bustos: September 25, 2013

Thank you for your letter, cosigned by your congressional colleagues, supporting the application submitted by the Quad City International Airport for a grant underthe U.S. Department of Transportation's Small CommunityAirService Development Program. The Small CommunityAir ServiceDevelopment Progi"an1 was established to help smaller communitiesaddress air service deficiencies, particularly issues related to high ahfares or insufficient servic.e. Underthe statute, the Department may make a maximun1 of40 grant awards each year, although no more than four awards may beto communities in the same State. In order to provide communities with latitude indeveloping solutions to their air service deficiencies, the statute provides "flexibility in the types ofprojects that canbe funded. OnJune 24, the Department issued an order setting a deadline ofJuly 26 for applications. As these grant requests are pending beforethe Department, I cannot colilment onthemelits ofany particular proposal. I assure you that the Department will give full and fair consideration to all proposals that have beenproperly filed. As is our standard practice, I am placing 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. A similarresponse has been sent to each cosigner ofyour letter.

Anthony R. Foxx

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Secretary Anthony Foxx U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590
Dear Secretary Foxx, September 5, 2013

We write to you today to express our support for the Small Community Air Service Development Grant application being submitted by the Quad City International Airport. The Quad Cities region plays an important role in our states, and the Quad City International Airport is a critical link to the economy in the region. Throughout the economic downturn, the Quad Cities region has remained focused and forward thinking on economic development opportunities. Currently, the Quad Cities region, dueto this focus and forward thinking, is experiencing strongbusiness development, especially in our manufacturing industries, and is becoming a destination for businessesbringing production back from overseas. A strong and supportivebusinesses community and strong transportation network -ofwhich the Quad City International Airport plays a critical role are two keyreasons for the strong development taking place. Retaining quality and reliable air service in the Quad Cities is critical to this development and the region's globally connected businesses and residents. 

### It is essential that the Airport continue to be able to provide and retain quality air service that will serve an immediate population of 400,000 as well as numerous small, medium and Fortune 500 sized companies. These companies, along with the Army's Rock Island Arsenal, provide strong employment opportunities in the region and rely on the services ofthe Quad City International Airport. With the role ofthe Quad City International Airport in theregion's transportation network, it's critical the Airport is able to solidify existing air service, moderate future fare increases, and make current air service more sustainable. We urge you to give strong consideration for the Quad City International Airport's application. Thank you for your time and consideration. 

### SIDcerely,

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Tom Harkin U.S. Senator Cheri Bustos U.S. Representative

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