Category Archives: News

CSPDC Sub-Region Participates in Walkability Institute 

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The Buena Vista/Lexington team participating in the Virginia Walkability Action Institute (VWAI) presented its Action Plan to the Virginia Department of Health on August 12, 2019. The VWAI focuses on opportunities to enhance walkability in communities, and brings together multi-disciplinary teams to pursue policy, systems and environmental changes to increase physical activity and reduce chronic disease. The team’s Action Plan focuses on using community planning processes already underway, such as the Comprehensive Plan updates and sidewalk condition inventories, to identify the most critical infrastructure projects for improving opportunities to walk while strengthening existing community partnerships.
The Virginia Department of Health is providing up to $15,000 to each team for quick-start mini grant activities to implement the Action Plans. The Buena Vista/Lexington team is developing trail maps for Glen Maury Park and trail signage for the Riverwalk in Buena Vista, and purchasing FitBits and gym memberships for those participating in VDH-sponsored wellness programs.

Grants to Increase Broadband Services Are Submitted 

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To help bring high-speed, affordable internet to unserved areas in the region, the CSPDC submitted two applications for the 2020 Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) program early in September. The first application was submitted on behalf of Bath and Rockbridge counties, with
co-applicant, BARC Electric Cooperative. If funded, this project would provide internet service to 1,085 residences and businesses. The project area includes Vesuvius, Big Hill, Effinger, South Buffalo, Glasgow and Buck Hill in Rockbridge County, and Warm Springs and Millboro in Bath County. The second application was submitted on behalf of Bath and Highland counties, with co-applicant, MGW Telephone. This project would service 240 residences and businesses and includes the project areas of Dry Run and Mountain Grove in Bath County, and the Doe Hill area of Highland County.
DHCD anticipates announcing the grant awards in December, 2019.

Facts & Figures Published

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One of the CSPDC’s roles in economic development is to be a resource for data about the region and the PDC’s localities. To help support this important function, the CSPDC creates and distributes Facts & Figures, an easy-to-read snapshot of each sub-region’s people, jobs, schools, and other unique attributes. The four newly designed 2019 Facts & Figures documents were released this Fall and are available on the CSPDC website. Printed copies are set to be distributed throughout the remainder of this year.

Rockbridge County High School Students Win Award

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The Rockbridge County High School (RCHS) Building Trades students and their instructor took top honors for the Youth Group Effort of the Year at the 20th Annual Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference  in September. The award recognizes a youth group that has made a significant impact or contribution in their community. The Building Trades curriculum at RCHS provides students with methods and techniques in building construction, preparing them to enter the trade upon graduation.  RCHS was recognized for its work with Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity in which the students have helped to build 18 homes for area families since 2001.
Since 2014, the RCHS students have helped to build five modular homes for the Greenhouse Village affordable housing project. One home is built each year, and then transported less than a mile to the site. Now in Phase II, Greenhouse Village is a multi-phase partnership between Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity and Rockbridge County to construct homes and build infrastructure for roads, water and sewer. The project is funded through the Community Development Block Grant Program administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The CSPDC provides grant administration services to the County for this project.

CSPDC Celebrates 50th Anniversary

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Over 75 people gathered to celebrate the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission’s 50th anniversary on September 17, 2019 at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton. In attendance were local government representatives, CSPDC Commissioners and staff, and stakeholders. The program featured four of the CSPDC’s signature programs including BRITE Transit, Fields of Gold Farm Trail, Transportation Planning, and Shenandoah Valley Project Impact.
The CSPDC was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly in September, 1969 to provide planning, technical assistance and facilitation services to its five counties, five cities and 11 towns. For the past 50 years, the CSPDC has assisted its localities with a variety of economic and community development programs that improve the economic vitality of the region and the quality of life of its citizens.
A warm thank you is extended to the sponsors of the event which include: Litten & Sipe, AMT & Associates, VML/VACO, Kimley-Horn, Virginia Regional Transit (VRT), Draper Aden Associates, The Berkley Group, and Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA).

New BRITE Bus Transit Manager

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Aidan Quirke has been hired as CSPDC’s Transit Program Manager to replace Nancy Gourley, who will retire at the end of the year. A native of Virginia, Aidan holds a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University and has worked for public transit agencies in Richmond, Virginia and Savannah, Georgia

Inter-Regional Transit Study Kicks Off

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The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has contracted with Kimley-Horn to complete additional research and analysis on the feasibility of Afton Express, a proposed public transit service connecting the Staunton, Augusta County, Waynesboro (SAW) region to the City of Charlottesville. This approximately six-month study will build on previously completed efforts to evaluate the feasibility of this service, while examining specific elements of those studies in greater detail.

Buena Vista Receives CDBG Planning Grants

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In June, the City of Buena Vista was awarded a Business District Revitalization Planning Grant and an Opportunity Zone Planning Grant through the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Together the two grants, totaling $40,000, will create an inventory of properties,  address specific revitalization needs to the downtown area, identify gaps in opportunities, and develop an economic development marketing plan for the city.
Currently, a Project Management Team is being established along with a Physical Inventory Survey of open spaces and buildings in downtown.  A public meeting to discuss initial grant activities and obtain community input for further use of funding will be held in early September.

Delegate Landes Presents 50th Anniversary Resolution

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This year marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. In 1968, the Virginia State Legislature passed the Virginia Area Development Act which set forth the framework for the establishment of regional planning district commissions throughout the state, and on October 1, 1969, the CSPDC was organized.

This year, the General Assembly passed a resolution in honor of the Commonwealth’s 21 PDCs. During the CSPDC’s annual meeting on August 19, Delegate Steve Landes presented the resolution to the Commission.

BRITE Bus to Give Free Rides During Try Transit Week

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Try Transit Week, September 16-20, 2019, is an educational event designed to encourage Virginians to reduce their use of single-occupancy vehicles and try a form of public transportation. Try Transit will be celebrated in Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro with a Free Ride Day on all BRITE Bus transit routes on Wednesday, September 18. Riders can ride any of the BRITE Bus routes, paratransit, or deviated fixed routes free of charge that day.
Try Transit Week was created by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and transit operators across the Commonwealth to spread the word about public transportation accessibility and its numerous benefits. As part of Try Transit Week, DRPT sponsors a Try Transit Week pledge giveaway. Participants who pledge to “try transit” are automatically entered for a chance to win a year of free transit service from a participating Virginia transit operator, as well as a pair of round-trip tickets aboard Amtrak’s Northeast Regional transit.