Air Service Pilot Program GrantCity Manager's Office
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52003.-4864
(563) 589-4110 office
(563) 589-4149 fax
ctymgr @cityo~dubuque.org
Secretary Norman Mineta
Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Aviation Analysis and Evaluation
US Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Secretary Mineta,
July 14, 2003
This letter endorses the Dubuque Regional Airport's grant application for the Small
Community Air Service Development Pilot Program. The grant application of $610,000
focuses on goals of maintaining service with American Eagle and provides the funding
for expansion of air service to another hub, which is vital to our business community.
Another important asset to the community is America's River, a $188 million campus
where visitors and conventioneers can experience the Mississippi River. This campus
is due to be completed in the fall of 2003. National market studies estimate
approximately 500,000 additional visitors will come to Dubuque and the tri-state area
because of this project. The Dubuque Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau has
successfully attracted conferences to this facility and within the last two months booked
attracted an additional 30,000 people for conventions and conferences to be held in
2004. It is vital that the Dubuque Regional Airport continues to grow and expand and
provide the air connectivity needed to boost our local economy and convention centers.
To expand and recruit businesses, to continue supporting America's River and maintain
and grow air service, all require planning and determination. I believe the Dubuque
Regional Airport's grant application is a major catalyst this community needs to grow,
now and in the future.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
Ci~ Manager
MCVM:ap
cc: Mayor Terry Duggan
Dubuque City Council
Andy Perry, Airport Manager
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork