The Central Shenandoah region is in the national spotlight. The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) recently released a new installment of its EDDs in Action video series featuring the CSPDC and the work we do alongside local partners to grow the regional economy.

EDDs, or Economic Development Districts, are regional organizations designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to plan for and invest in long-term economic growth. NADO’s video series travels the country to show what that work looks like on the ground. This spring, a NADO film crew visited the Valley as part of a focus on Appalachian communities in western Virginia and West Virginia.

The result is a nine-minute look at how the CSPDC helps turn local visions into funded, completed projects. As CSPDC Executive Director Ann Cundy puts it in the video, “We pride ourselves on knowing what each of our jurisdictions needs.” That planning knowledge helps us match partners with the right funding opportunities.

Watch the video on NADO’s website

The video highlights three projects the CSPDC helped fund and implement, Shenandoah Valley Airport’s Aviation Technology Park, SVCAL’s Award-Winning Go2Work Program, and the Virginia Innovation Accelerator in Buena Vista.

Partnerships That Build a Stronger Region

We are grateful to NADO for telling this story, and to our partners at Shenandoah Valley Airport, SVCAL, and The Advancement Foundation for sharing their work. Together, these investments in site readiness, workforce training, and business development are creating new opportunities across the Central Shenandoah Valley.

Watch the full EDDs in Action video and learn more about the CSPDC’s economic development work at cspdc.org.

CSPDC Executive Director Ann W. Cundy has received the 2026 Gordon N. Dixon Award from the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC). The award was presented at the Commission’s August 17 meeting. It recognizes an executive director or commissioner whose leadership has advanced regional cooperation across Virginia.

The VAPDC created the award to honor Gordon N. Dixon, who spent 16 years as executive director of the New River Valley and Fifth Planning District Commissions. Virginia’s 21 Planning District Commissions (PDCs) and Regional Commissions help local governments plan together for needs that cross local boundaries, such as transportation, housing, and economic development.

Ann has served as Executive Director since 2024. Before that, she spent more than 11 years with CSPDC, including as Director of Transportation, where she managed the agency’s transportation and transit programs. She also served with the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission. In his nomination, CSPDC Director of Finance Donnie Kern said Ann “has demonstrated the type of visionary, collaborative, and service-oriented leadership that strengthens not only the organization, but also the broader mission of Planning District Commissions throughout Virginia.”

A hallmark of Ann’s leadership is her hands-on approach. She works directly with elected officials, administrators, planners, and economic development professionals in our 21 member localities, from the Town of Monterey to the City of Harrisonburg, so that every community has a voice and access to regional resources. Director of Transportation Paula Melester noted that Ann’s vision “has energized our team and deepened our ability to serve our partners.”

Please join us in congratulating Ann. To learn more about the VAPDC and its work across the Commonwealth, visit vapdc.org.

Afton Express ridership increased 25% between March and August 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. During the same time period, the average price of gas in the region was roughly 30% higher than the year before.

Rising fuel costs are likely one factor behind the ridership growth. Others include expanded marketing efforts in FY26, a schedule realignment that took effect in December 2025, and organic ridership growth.

Afton Express riders see significant savings by taking the bus instead of driving. The average rider saved about $750 on gas alone from March through August of this year.

Visit aftonexpress.org to learn more about the Afton Express.