Due to the recent COVID-19 restrictions and precautions, the bid opening for the BARC Rural Economic Development via Broadband Project will be conducted by video conference call, rather than in-person. Bids should still be submitted to the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) at 112 MacTanly Pl, Staunton, VA 24401, […]
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CSPDC Welcomes New Planner
The CSPDC is pleased to announce that Nathan Garrison has been hired as a CSPDC Regional Planner. Nathan, a native of McGaheysville, acquired his associate’s degree from Blue Ridge Community College and transferred to James Madison University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. Nathan was the Town […]
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Fields of Gold Members Join Maple Syrup Trail
This fall, Highland County, known for its award-winning maple syrup production, launched the Virginia Maple Syrup Trail. The trail includes a passport program and offers visitors the chance to experience eight participating Highland County sugar camps throughout the year. The Maple Syrup Trail was formed to bring awareness to this […]
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The Highland Inn Receives Brownfields Grant
In October, CSPDC and Shenandoah Valley Partnership (SVP) staff toured and received an update on construction of the renovation project at the historic Highland Inn in Highland County. In June, the CSPDC assisted the Blue Grass Resource Center in applying for a $50,000 DEQ Brownfields Grant for the Highland Inn’s […]
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CSPDC Participates in Shenandoah Rail Trail Partnership
CSPDC staff are members of the Shenandoah Rail Trail Partnership. The Partnership is a coalition of volunteers, local and PDC staff, advocacy groups, local and state elected officials who are working to build support for the project. CSPDC Executive Director Bonnie Riedesel serves as the Vice-Chair of the Rail Trail […]
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CSPDC Launches Recovery Dashboard
Follow regional impacts of COVID-19 using the CSPDC Recovery Dashboard, scheduled to launch this November on the CSPDC website. The Recovery Dashboard will feature interactive graphs that display data on localities’ unemployment rates, unemployment benefits claims, COVID-19 cases and tax revenues. The purpose of the dashboard is to illustrate the […]
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CARES Funding for Broadband
On October 8, Governor Northam announced a new, fast-track program to distribute $30M in CARES Act funds, targeting rural broadband access across the Commonwealth. With a requirement that the funds be expended and service in place by December 25, 2020, Rockbridge County, the Rockbridge Area Network Authority (RANA) and BARC […]
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CTB Approves TAP & State of Good Repair Applications
On October 21, 2020, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) amended the FY 2020-2025 Six Year Improvement Program to include new projects in the CSPDC region. Eight localities applied for funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) in 2019 for sidewalks, bike/buggy lanes, greenways, and urban bike boulevards, or for funding […]
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2020 Census
Exceeding their 2010 Census response rate, the CSPDC localities of Augusta, Buena Vista, Rockingham, Staunton and Waynesboro recorded response rates of 70% or higher. However, Bath and Highland rank among the 10 lowest response rates in Virginia. Out of all responses collected in the CSPDC region, 50% of residents filled […]
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Crozet Tunnel Dedication
The Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel will soon be open to the public for walking and biking. Project partners from the past 20 years joined Governor Northam and Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring and Virginia Tourism Corporation President and CEO Rita McClenny to formally […]
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