Public Meeting Set for WWRC Small Area Study 

The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization  will be hosting a public open house/information meeting for the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) Small Area Study on Thursday, June 22.  The event is from 5-7 PM at Wilson Middle School Cafeteria, 232 Hornet Road in Fishersville. The transportation study will examine access management and safety issues along US 250 (Jefferson Highway) in the vicinity of the WWRC Complex. Study recommendations will be used to guide future transportation improvements in the area. The public is invited to attend the open house and provide input.

Regional Housing Summit Held

The CSPDC and the Bath County Economic Development Authority hosted a Regional Housing Summit on May 25, in Bath County. More than 35 attendees learned strategies to address the demand for affordable workforce housing in their community.

Summit speakers from the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech, USDA Rural Development, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Virginia Housing Development Authority, Total Action for Progress, and CSPDC focused on the connection between housing and economic development, as well as funding opportunities to increase affordable housing options.  Topics included homeownership, rental housing, housing rehabilitation, and new construction. The workshop was geared toward local government staff, including community development, economic development and workforce development, local elected officials, housing organizations and nonprofits, and other community leaders.

Individuals who were unable to attend the Summit can access the presentations and related videos HERE .

Bike Virginia Tours the Valley

The Shenandoah Valley has been selected to host the 30th Anniversary Tour of Bike Virginia, June 23-28.  Riders will choose from a variety of tour lengths and routes that will take them on a scenic adventure along the Valley from Buena Vista to Staunton.
The Tour will include a full complement of fun outings and activities that will showcase the region’s cultural attractions, historic sites, outdoor recreation opportunities, and local flavors, enticing over 1,500 participating cyclists to come back and ride the Valley again and again.

Transportation Demand Management Plan Updated

The CSPDC’s Rideshare Program is wrapping up the update of its Transportation Demand Management Plan (TDMP).  Required by the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, the TDMP includes stakeholder and public input, a financial plan, and a strategy for changes and expansion of services.
The broad goals of the updated TDMP include increasing the awareness of the alternate modes of transportation that exist besides single-occupant vehicles, improving mobility and accessibility to people with transportation needs in the rural areas of the region, and promoting social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Shenandoah Valley Tourism Partnership Launched

The Shenandoah Valley Tourism Partnership (SVTP) unveiled its new marketing partnership and brand message during an event held at the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport in May.  The SVTP is a professional collaboration between 13 tourism-forward communities stretching from Winchester to Lexington, whose mission is to promote the Shenandoah Valley as an outstanding year-round destination for visitors from around the world.
The SVTP team worked together with consultants over the span of several years conducting research consisting of online surveys, reviews of Virginia Tourism Corporation research, and recent visitor surveys conducted by local destination marketing organizations. The team compared regional initiatives around the United States for differentiation to create the Today’s Shenandoah Valley brand, campaign, website, and social media presence. The results can be viewed at  www.VirginiasShenandoahValley.com and on Facebook .