The 2020 update of the Central Shenandoah Hazard Mitigation Plan (CSHMP) has been conditionally approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is pending adoption over the next few months by the jurisdictions in the Planning District. The CSHMP identifies hazards and vulnerabilities of the Region and mitigation strategies that can be implemented to make communities more resilient. Having an approved and adopted Hazard Mitigation Plan also allows the local jurisdictions to apply for hazard mitigation grant funds. A steering committee made up of local and state government agencies and other relevant stakeholders guided the planning process and helped to obtain public input. The plan is available on the CSPDC website.

In February, Agricultural Enterprise Center Feasibility Study consultant New Venture Advisors, presented a recommended operating model to the CSPDC and Study Team. The preferred model will continue to be evaluated throughout the duration of the study that is scheduled to complete in May. The model’s concept is to build a centralized agricultural facility and commercial kitchen that supports farmers, entrepreneurs and agricultural enterprises in the Central Shenandoah Valley. If brought to fruition, the Ag. Enterprise Center will provide warehousing for the aggregation, distribution and sale of local products; business incubation and support services for food businesses; and a certified commercial kitchen serving meat and vegetable producers and entrepreneurs.

Next steps include the identification of anchor tenants, development of a capacity model, preliminary breakeven model, building program and bubble diagrams and further financial analysis. Potential sites and a facility floorplan will also be included in the final report.

This winter, the CSPDC completed the Central Shenandoah Regional Wildfire Protection Plan (CSRWPP) to analyzes wildfire risk and offer mitigation strategies for structures in woodland areas. The CSPDC region has many forested and wildland areas including national forests and a national park that put woodland communities at a higher risk for wildfire. Representatives from federal and state agencies, wildfire professionals, local government staff, and citizens helped to develop the plan that was funded through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant. The CSRWPP is available to the public on the CSPDC website.

In February, the CSPDC in cooperation with the University of Virginia and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission conducted a public survey to ascertain the demand for a collective workspace in the Fishersville area. Out of 359 survey respondents, 72% stated that their employment has shifted entirely or partially to telework and 61% indicated that they anticipate continuing to telework in the future and utilizing a shared workspace between one and four days per week. The desired amenities for a shared workspace include privacy, security, and enhanced technology and cleaning services. Most respondents were located in Waynesboro (40%) followed by Stuarts Draft and Fishersville (18%) and Staunton (16%). The steering committee will reconvene in March to discuss the survey results and determine the next steps of development.

The CSPDC is pleased to announce that Patricia Lancey has been hired as CSPDC’s Fiscal Technician. Pat acquired her Associate in Applied Science in Accounting degree from Piedmont Community College. She has more than 20 years of progressive accounting and management experience in public and private sectors. Pat resides in Stuarts Draft with her husband Scott and two cats.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is conducting a feasibility study on the development of a state or regional park in Highland County. On January 26, CSPDC staff and stakeholders from DCR, Virginia Outdoors Foundation and Friends of Highland State Park toured the potential park site on Hayfields Farm in McDowell. Located in a valley between Bullpasture and Jack Mountain, the Hayfields property is 1,034 acres and features the Bullpasture river, scenic views, and a historic farm house, barn and log cabin. The feasibility study will determine the property’s suitability for state or regional park development and provide a recommendation to the Virginia House and Senate in October. Beginning this month, DCR will host a series of public sessions to share information regarding the project.