The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) will consider approving the FY2024-2029 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) at the June Board meeting. The SYIP allocates public funds to highway, road, bridge, rail, bicycle, pedestrian and public transportation projects, and the public can search projects and costs on VDOT’s SYIP website.
The SYIP is updated annually, and documents proposed projects for design, right-of-way, and construction over the next six years from programs like SMART SCALE.
CSPDC representatives are supporting Buena Vista (BV) efforts to secure a $1M DHCD Community Economic Development program grant to leverage other funding sources to renovate a former Courtesy Ford dealership building in BV’s designated Opportunity Zone. The approximately $5.3M+ project will transform the 18,750 square foot facility into the Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) Wilson Workforce Development Center. When finished, the center will train students for in-demand jobs such as: HVAC, building trades, electrical, plumbing, industrial technology, precision machining, welding, diesel mechanics, and CDLs. These employment fields are included in the State’s FastForward program, which provides tuition assistance to students training for in-demand jobs.
MGCC officials expect to grow their ability to deliver workforce training by 200% and see enrollment rise by at least 120%. In addition, the center is estimated to assist with creating or retaining 110 jobs and spawn $2M in private investment in the region. The initial phase of the renovation project is planned for later this calendar year with an estimate to begin classes for the Fall 2024 semester. Other funding sources include: the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the MGCC Real Estate Foundation, and the City of Buena Vista.
The PDC Housing Development Program, a $2 million pilot program through Virginia Housing that provides gap funds to affordable housing developers in need of additional capital, will soon reach its two-year milestone. To date, the seven developers who received an award through the program have accessed just over 50% of obligated funds, totaling more than $800,000 in grant funds utilized.
One of the seven partner projects, Foley Road Efficiencies, has made significant construction progress over the past several months. The Foley Road Efficiencies development will bring 11 efficiency rental units to the City of Harrisonburg, affordable to those at 60% AMI, in part using $350,000 in PDC Housing Development Program Funds. Framing is currently underway, and the developer recently installed electrical infrastructure with the capability to allow for Level 3 EV charging for all 11 units. The intentional use of local contractors and suppliers on this project is supporting local businesses and the community members they employ while generating tax revenue. The units will remain affordable at 60% AMI for at least 20 years, and the developer intentionally built units with a smaller footprint to encourage affordability by design over the lifespan of the building.
All units receiving funds through the PDC Housing Development Program must be complete by June 30, 2025.
BRITE Bus Transit and the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) hereby releases for public comment the BRITE Title VI Plan. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ensures that no one shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance due to their race, color, or national origin.
The draft Title VI Plan can be reviewed online: Title VI Plan (DRAFT)
Digital or hard copies may be requested by calling the Title VI Coordinator at 540-885-5174. Copies for public review are available at the following locations:
Written comments may be submitted to BRITE Bus, 112 MacTanly Place, Staunton, VA 24401 or via email to devon@cspdc.org by 5:00PM on June 20, 2023. An official public hearing will be provided if requested prior to the end of the comment period. To request a public hearing, contact BRITE Bus no later than seven working days prior to the meeting.
BRITE Bus Transit and the CSPDC ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you have questions or concerns about your civil rights in regards to this program or require special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, please contact the Title VI Coordinator at 540-885-5174. Sign language or non-English language interpreters and accessible formats for the visually impaired will be provided if needed and requested from the CSPDC no later than seven working days prior to the meeting.
The Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC) hosted a luncheon briefing with representatives of Virginia’s Congressional offices in mid-March. This was done in conjunction with the 2023 National Association of Development Organization’s Washington Conference. Staff from Senator Kaine’s office and five of our Congressional offices attended. We engaged in good discussion about regional projects, federal funding opportunities and other topics. VAPDC was represented by a good cohort of Board members, PDC Commissioners, Executive Directors, and staff. Bonnie Riedesel, CSPDC Executive Director attended the briefing and highlighted a number of the federally funded projects and programs in the CSPDC region.
May is National Bike Month – an annual celebration to increase awareness and participation in bicycling, and showcase its many health and environmental benefits. Bike to Work Week 2023 will take place May 15-21, 2023, and Bike to Work Day is on Friday, May 19!
The Bike the Valley and RideShare programs, administered by the CSPDC, will highlight the many bicycling opportunties on social media throughout #BikeMonth. Learn more HERE.
The Advancement Foundation (TAF) hosted the April GO Virginia Region 8 Council meeting at its facility in Buena Vista. The Region 8 Council toured the space, now home of the Virginia Innovation Accelerator (VIA). TAF has received several grants, including a GO Virginia grant, to convert the former Mundet building into space for small-scale manufacturing, commercial kitchen use, business acceleration, and product development. The space also will promote training, outdoor recreation, tourism, and community events.
At the meeting, the Region 8 Council approved an application from the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund (SCCF) for the Capacitor Incubator Program for continued entrepreneurial ecosystem development in the Shenandoah Valley. Expanding on SCCF’s prior GO Virginia funded project, Startup Shenandoah Valley, the Capacitor Incubator Program will help entrepreneurs create their first proof of concept, identify target markets, and build the systems and financing to successfully launch their business. Augusta County and the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro are locality partners on SCCF’s application. The State GO Virginia Board will consider the Capacitor Incubator Program application at its June 13 meeting. Also, a refreshed GO Virginia Region 8 website was announced during the Council meeting. Other news and information about GO Virginia Region 8 is available at https://govirginiaregion8.org/.
The US DOT’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Community grant is the first electric vehicle (EV) charging station grant available for all localities under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The CFI program, which will fund EV infrastructure until 2026, promotes EV charging station installation on publicly available sites, and is focusing on stations in rural areas.
The CSPDC developed a survey to evaluate the level-of-interest of localities for installing EV charging stations, and for applying for CFI funding through a region-wide CSPDC application by the May 30, 2023 deadline. The CSPDC is assisting interested localities with the application process. Please contact Senior Planner Zach Beard at zach@cspdc.org to learn more.
Up to $1 billion in funding for projects that increase equitable access to urban tree canopy, broaden community engagement in local urban forest planning, and improve the community and urban forest resilience to climate change, pests, and storm events. Minimum funding is $100,000; maximum $50 million; all agreements are for 5 years.
More at: Urban Forests | US Forest Service (usda.gov). Applications due June 1st.
On April 19, the CSPDC hosted a USDA-Rural Development Programs Showcase at the Virginia Horse Center in Rockbridge County. The event was a great success with over 60 registrants, and presenters from USDA-Rural Development, Dupont Community Credit Union, BARC Electric, the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund, the Horse Center, and the Office of Congressman Ben Cline.
The event featured a comprehensive overview of the many grants and loans that USDA-Rural Development has to offer our region. Topics covered rural business, community facilities, water and environmental programs, housing, telecommunications, and electric programs. Dupont Community Credit Union and BARC Electric, both sponsors of the event, shared how USDA-RD funds have positively impacted their organizations and made regional improvements possible in the fields of housing and telecommunications.
The event was attended by local staff and elected officials, housing professionals, community service providers, farm market managers, lending professionals, and rural businesses around the region and served as a unique opportunity for organizations to discuss project ideas and funding resources with USDA-RD representatives.