On October 16, the CSPDC adopted the 2023 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). As the region’s 5-year plan for economic development, the CEDS provides a vision and a blueprint for greater economic prosperity and growth. Through extensive research and data analysis, an evaluation of regional trends, and a thorough community engagement process, the CEDS leverages and capitalizes on the region’s assets to create an action-oriented plan that promotes quality, sustained economic growth. The updated CEDS defines a renewed Vision for the region, along with revised goals, objectives, and strategies that were determined through the stakeholder engagement process. The primary areas of focus over the next five years include: 1) Workforce Development; 2) Business Attraction and Retention; 3) Housing; 4) Placemaking and Community Building; and 5) Resilience. The plan can be found HERE.

Since 2017, the Charlottesville-Albemarle, and Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) have had an agreement in place to coordinate planning activities of mutual interest to both regions. A Memorandum of Understanding documents the collaboration between the two regions, with a focus on transportation-related projects along the I-64 and U.S. 250 corridor.

The formal agreement between the two MPOs dates back to September 2017, but the MPOs have been discussing projects of regional significance at joint Policy Board meetings since 2015. The two Policy Boards met annually from 2015 to 2019. The meetings were placed on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and did not occur until September 27 of this year, when the two groups came together to revive the meetings. Traditionally, the location of the meeting alternates between the two regions. This year’s meeting was hosted by the SAWMPO and held at the Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro.

On the agenda were presentations on three projects of regional interest – the Afton Express bus service presented by Paula Melester (Regional Planner, CSPDC) and Kendall Howell (Asst. Director for Transportation, UVA Parking & Transportation); the restoration of the Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel presented by Dwayne Jones (Director of Parks & Recreation, City of Waynesboro); and an update on the Three Notched Trail, presented by Jessica Hersh-Ballering (Principal Transportation Planner, Albemarle County) and Allie Hill (Chair of the Three Notched Trail Planning Group). District leaders from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Sean Nelson and Todd Stevens provided updates on projects in each of the two regions. Zach Trogdon and Tiffany Dubinsky made remarks on behalf of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT).

The meeting was a success with over 50 people from both regions in attendance. The guests enjoyed the presentations and appreciated the opportunity to gather with colleagues. One attendee said they enjoyed how celebratory the meeting felt with each region sharing news of projects they had been working on in the three years since the last meeting was held.

During the meeting, each Policy Board held a vote to reaffirm the Memorandum of Understanding. Both votes resulted in unanimous support for the continued partnership. The next joint meeting will be held in the fall of 2024 and will be hosted by the Charlottesville-Albemarle MPO at a location to be determined.

On September 26, 2023 the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced the 40 fellows who were selected for the 2023-2024 class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute. The fifth annual class of fellows were selected through a competitive process from public, private, and non-profit leaders across the 13 Appalachian states. Annette Patterson, President of The Advancement Foundation, was one of two fellows selected from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Annette founded The Advancement Foundation in 2007 to advance her passion for business and community development. Under her leadership, The Advancement Foundation developed Virginia’s largest business program and competition, The Gauntlet, which has served nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs, leveraged the expertise of over 300 industry leaders, and captured over $8M in resources to support business and community development.

The Appalachian Leadership Institute is a comprehensive leadership and economic development training opportunity for people who live and/or work in Appalachia and are passionate about helping their communities thrive. Fellows will participate in an extensive training curriculum developed by the ARC in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs; Tuskegee University; and Collective Impact, LLC. The all-inclusive, nine-month program runs from October to July and includes skill-building seminars, best practice reviews, field visits during six separate sessions across the Appalachian Region, and a capstone graduation event held in Washington, D.C.

The webinar “Beyond Solar Ordinances” will be held October 26 from 10:30 to Noon to help localities stay abreast of best practices for this evolving land use. It will cover comprehensive plan and solar policy approaches, host siting agreements, mitigation regulations for impact on farm and forest, and the emerging issues of data centers, battery storage, and transmission infrastructure.

Speakers from The Berkley Group, Eldon James & Associates, Advantus Strategies, Hefty Wiley & Gore, and regional conservation groups will share their experience and knowledge. The webinar is hosted by Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont Environmental Council in partnership with the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, Northern Shenandoah Regional Commission, and Rappahannock Rapidan Regional Commission.

REGISTER HERE