Gin Chandler was hired as the CSPDC Finance Director and began work on February 16th. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Mary Baldwin University in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration-Business and Government from Liberty University. Ms. Chandler was the Accountant Specialist for Augusta County and the previous Administrative Services Manager for the Harrisonburg Department of Parks and Recreation. She currently resides in Augusta County with her husband Clay and their two furry family members, Remy and Cooper. Clay and Gin share four children – Todd, Jacklyn, Emily and Kieland. In her free time, Gin enjoys gardening, reading, and watching movies.
Category Archives: News
Smart Scale Round 5 Pre-Application Open through April 1
Area governments and organizations are planning to submit at least a dozen transportation projects in the CSPDC region for VDOT’s Smart Scale Round 5 transportation grant funding program.
Localities, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) including the Harrisonburg-Rockingham (HRMPO) and Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro (SAWMPO), BRITE, and the CSPDC can each submit a maximum of four applications for the program, which is available every two years.
The region has been successful in receiving Smart Scale funding through the previous four rounds. In Smart Scale Round 4, the State funded 17 of the 22 submitted projects totaling over $60 million in the region. The CSPDC and two MPOs submitted nine of the funded projects.
Submitted projects are evaluated by a benefit score based on safety, congestion mitigation, accessibility, land-use, economic development and environmental quality criteria, and also estimated cost.
The pre-application period opened on March 1 and closes on April 1 at 5:00 p.m. Final applications are due August 1. Funded projects are included in the state’s Six-Year Improvement Program.
CERT Program Scheduled for Spring
Discover Your Inner Hero! Take the FREE Spring Community Emergency Response Team training. You’ll learn to be more resilient & ready to help others when emergencies occur. Become part of this nationwide movement to make our communities safer before, during, and after a disaster event.
This training is being offered by the Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro, and Augusta County, in partnership with the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) and is open to anyone who either lives or works in Staunton, Waynesboro, or Augusta County. The course is FREE but you must register to attend.
TO REGISTER CONTACT: Rebecca Joyce S-A-W CERT Coordinator
Phone: 540-885-5174 ext.112 E-mail: rebecca@cspdc.org
Mount Crawford Begins Working on Comprehensive Plan
The CSPDC is assisting the Town of Mount Crawford with writing the Town’s first approved Comprehensive Plan. The Town Manager, Libby Clark, and members of the Town’s Planning Commission are guiding the 12-month process.
The Plan will analyze existing conditions, identify Town needs, and outline a set of goals and objectives to inform local decision-making on issues ranging from economic development, housing, transportation, and land use.
Mount Crawford is the second smallest incorporated locality (with the Town of Monterey being the smallest) in the CSPDC region, with an estimated 439 residents according to 2020 Census. Development of the Plan is timely since the Town recently annexed 11 acres of land east of Town last year, and the Town’s population growth is projected to increase faster than historic growth trends over the next five years.
CSPDC Awards $1.66 Million in Affordable Housing Grants through PDC Housing Development Program, Supports 60 New Units of Affordable Housing Across the Region
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission has announced $1.66 million in award offers to provide gap funding to affordable housing developers across the region. These grant funds were made possible through Virginia Housing’s PDC Housing Development Program, a pilot program that supports regional affordable housing initiatives. The funds will assist in the construction of 60 new units of affordable housing in the region, including 35 units for homeownership and 25 for rental. Gap funding was offered to 7 applicants representing 4 localities; Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Rockbridge County. All units supported by the PDC Housing Development Program are expected to be move-in ready by July 1, 2024.
The CSPDC selected the following projects to receive funding:
| Applicant | Location | Project | Award | Units |
| Ridgeville, LLC | Harrisonburg | Foley Road Efficiencies | $350,000 | 11 |
| Central Valley Habitat for Humanity and PDY, LLC | Harrisonburg | Suter Street Neighborhood Project | $325,000 | 21 |
| Our Community Place | Harrisonburg | Block House Apartments | $118,106 | 2 |
| Valley Supportive Housing | Staunton | Pump Street Apartments | $325,000 | 6 |
| Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Habitat for Humanity | Staunton | A Street Neighborhood Project | $125,000 | 10 |
| Rockbridge Habitat for Humanity | Rockbridge County | Greenhouse Village Neighborhood Project | $270,000 | 8 |
| South River Development Corporation | Waynesboro | Fairfax Hall Renovation Project | $150,000 | 2 |
| TOTAL | $1,663,106 | 60 |
The selected projects will support a variety of income levels ranging from 0-80% of the region’s median income. Among the selected projects are two permanent supportive housing projects that will support those experiencing chronic homelessness and other vulnerable populations. Says Sam Nickels of our Community Place in Harrisonburg, “these monies will cover half the cost for Our Community Place to build two efficiency apartments for the most vulnerable and low-income homeless persons in our region. The funds are part of a program to provide permanent supportive housing that includes case management to help people stay housed and not return to homelessness. Our Community Place is so appreciative to the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission for this affordable housing grant.”
The program will also provide financial support to all three of the region’s Habitat for Humanity organizations. Lynne Johnson, Executive Director of Rockbridge Habitat for Humanity, says that the grant funds will allow the organization to get families into their homes sooner. “With this funding award, our construction crew can get back on track with our building timeline, which COVID derailed by precipitating volunteer shortages and building material scarcity. Cost increases of materials have also affected the affordability of the houses we build. With this grant, Habitat’s family partners will be able to occupy their homes sooner and the mortgages will remain affordable, and we can continue our vital mission to build homes, community, and hope.”
“The CSPDC is grateful to our partners at Virginia Housing for offering the opportunity to expand affordable housing options in our region,” says Frank Friedman, CSPDC Commission Chair. “We look forward to seeing the results of these grants in supporting our local and regional affordable housing providers as they advance these impactful, timely, and life changing projects.”
For more information regarding the PDC Housing Development Program and other housing-related initiatives at the CSPDC, visit our Housing landing page: https://www.cspdc.org/programs-services/housing/.
About the CSPDC
Created in 1969, the CSPDC represents and serves the local governments of Augusta, Bath, Highland Rockbridge and Rockingham counties, and the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro as well as the 11 towns within the Central Shenandoah region. The CSPDC works with its member jurisdictions, communities and agencies to provide high-quality planning, technical assistance, and facilitation of services that address local, regional and state needs in an innovative, timely and cooperative manner. Covering everything from land use planning, transportation, water and waste-water utilities, natural resource management, affordable housing, economic and community development, disaster mitigation and preparedness, agritourism to human services, the CSPDC is an invaluable asset and resource to the region.
SAWMPO Open House to Discuss I-81 Exit 235 Improvements Set for March 7
The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) invites the public to attend an informational open house to provide input on I-81 Exit 235 and Route 256 Study improvements. The meeting will be held on Monday, March 7 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) Robert Plecker Workforce Center room P126AB.
The study is evaluating mid-term solutions to periodic congestion, and long-term corridor needs and intersection configurations to accommodate future growth along Weyers Cave Road (VA 256) between U.S. 11 and Triangle Drive near I-81 Exit 235.
The purpose of the open house is to provide the public an opportunity to review the potential improvements, provide input through written and oral comments, and discuss the Study with staff from the SAWMPO and VDOT. Responses will be summarized and provided to local government stakeholders in late March.
An initial online public survey was conducted from December 3 to 23, 2021, and received over 347 responses in reference to the proposed concepts. The responses from the survey are informing the development of the final report.
The Study began in March 2021, and it is anticipated to be complete in Spring 2022. The Study Team includes the consultant Michael Baker, and representatives from the MPO, Augusta County, VDOT, BRITE, Blue Ridge Community College, and the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. The Study will be made available to the public on SAWMPO.org.
Pandemic Recovery and Resiliency Plan Out This Spring
This Spring, the CSPDC will release its Central Shenandoah Pandemic Recovery and Resiliency Plan (CSPRRP). This plan was created through grant funding provided by the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (CARES Act) and administered through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
The purpose of the CSPRRP is to provide the local governments in the region with data, strategies, and resources to assist with recovery from the current COVID-19 pandemic and to aid in prevention measures if another pandemic occurs. Chmura Analytics provided the data research and analysis for the Plan. Input and best practices were gathered from local economic developers and the regional business community during the planning process. When the plan is complete, it will be available on the CSPDC website.
CSPDC Hires Regional Planner
Jeremy Crute was hired as a regional planner and began work on February 7th. Jeremy grew up in Panama City Beach, Florida, where he developed a passion for helping communities thrive. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Community Development from Covenant College and a Master’s in Urban & Regional Planning from Florida State University.After graduating, he was hired by FSU to be the Senior Planner for the Florida Planning & Development Lab, where he has worked for the last six years. There he enjoyed serving communities across the state of Florida on a wide range of community development, housing, and transportation projects, and he is excited about serving the central Shenandoah Valley in the same way. Jeremy moved to Staunton and is looking forward to becoming a part of the community. In his free time, Jeremy enjoys hiking and backpacking and is happy to have traded Florida’s beaches for Virginia’s mountains.
Housing News
Two new housing-related initiatives are underway at the CSPDC. Later this month, CSPDC staff will submit an application for Virginia Housing Community Impact Grant funds to conduct a regional housing study. The CSPDC is eligible for $20,000 per city and county in the region, totaling $200,000 in grant funds. If awarded, the study will kick off in May 2022, and will span across a two-year period. The first year will involve data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and producing an interim data report, while the second year will focus on developing regional, partner-based, and locality-specific recommendations and strategies.
The CSPDC is co-applying for these grant funds with the Virginia Center for Housing Research (VCHR), the Commonwealth’s official housing research agency. VCHR has a successful track record of analyzing regional housing data, and has led several PDC-wide housing studies. VCHR’s strategies and recommendations will be developed in partnership with HousingForward Virginia, a statewide housing policy and research agency. The CSPDC and VCHR have submitted a draft application and are awaiting a preliminary letter of support from Virginia Housing before final submission.
Additionally, the RFP for affordable housing developers seeking gap funds through the PDC Housing Development Program closed on February 3rd. The CSPDC received 14 applications, representing more than 700 affordable units and $4.3 million in requested gap funds. CSPDC staff is currently reviewing all applications, and will announce award decisions in March 2022.
2021 Population Estimates Released
The University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center released its official population estimates for Virginia counties and independent cities this January. The Weldon Cooper Center’s estimates provide an accurate approximation of a locality’s population count on July 1st, 2021. Government agencies use this data for funding allocations, planning, and budgeting purposes.
The CSPDC’s 2021 population estimate is 307,875. From the prior year, the region’s population grew by 664 people or .2%. Since the 2020 Census, Bath County experienced the greatest growth change. From 2020 to 2021, Bath County added 67 people to their population count, a 1.6% population increase. In contrast, Highland, Rockbridge, and Rockingham Counties and the City of Lexington experienced a slight population decline since the 2020 Census.
Notably, localities with large college populations were often undercounted in the 2020 Census. For localities with a 20% college population, like Harrisonburg and Lexington, the Weldon Cooper Center compared its 2020 and 2021 estimates in order to correct the undercount. Once the remainder of 2020 Census Data is released, the Cooper Center will revisit estimates and make necessary adjustments.
The 2021 population estimates are available on the Weldon Cooper Center website. Yearly population data is also available on the CSPDC’s Regional Data Center.