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.

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.

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 3^rd. 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.

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 1^st, 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.