News
2024 Virginia Transit Association Annual Conference and Bus Expo
The Virginia Transit Association (VTA) is hosting their Annual Conference and Bus Expo on May 22-23, 2024 at the Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center Harrisonburg, Virginia. Industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across the state converge at the annual conference to explore the future of transit. From cutting-edge technology to sustainable solutions, this event promotes insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and actionable strategies to advance public transportation across the Commonwealth. Additionally, at the end of the conference there will be a graduation ceremony for the first cohort of Virginia Transit Leadership Institute (VTLI).
The conference is sold out, but if you would like to be added to a waitlist should there be a cancellation, please contact VTA at 804-643-1166.
Rita Whitfield Retires
Rita Whitfield, Office Manager of the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, retired after more than 46 years and was recognized for her outstanding and meritorious service at the Commission meeting on April 15, 2024.
Rita began her career with the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission on February 16, 1978, as Secretary I in the office Secretarial Pool, advancing to the position of Administrative Assistant; and then to the position of Office Manager that she held for 15 years.
Over her career, Rita worked for six Executive Directors and more than 150 Commissioners. She supported dozens of planners and staff by providing high quality administrative and management support.
On behalf of Commission and the region, we extend our sincere and grateful appreciation for her dedicated service to the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission and congratulate her on her well-earned retirement, and extend our best wishes for continued success, happiness, and good health in the years to come.
Ann Cundy Hired as New Executive Director
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission has selected Ann Cundy to serve as the new Executive Director of the CSPDC. Ann has served the CSPDC for over 11 years, most recently as the Director of Transportation where she managed the agency’s transportation and transit programs. Her new position took effect April 1. She follows Bonnie Riedesel who retired after working at the CSPDC for 29 years and serving as its Executive Director since 2008.
Frank Friedman, Vice Chair of the CSPDC, says “I am delighted to announce that Ann will lead the agency in the years ahead. The CSPDC will benefit from her tremendous knowledge of planning and years of experience. I invite all our member jurisdictions to congratulate Ann and to support her future success.” All the Commissioners look forward to supporting Ann and the entire CSPDC team in serving our 21 jurisdictions in the region.
Senator Warner Visits Staunton
On a tour through the Shenandoah Valley on March 26, Senator Mark Warner stopped in Staunton to talk with local officials about the future of passenger rail in the region. Amtrak has been awarded $500,000 to identify and study potential improvements to the Cardinal Service which currently serves the Downtown Staunton station three days a week. The study is funded through the Corridor Identification and Development Program with funds allocated to the Federal Railroad Administration from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Amtrak has seen an increase in ridership across the Commonwealth with rail traffic in the Lynchburg-Roanoke corridor up 130 percent. The study will explore the feasibility of expanding the Cardinal route’s service from three to seven days a week. Even with the increase in ridership, improvements are needed to make rail travel in the Commonwealth more accessible and efficient. The Senator noted several challenges along the corridor south of Washington D.C. that cause delays. Many of those delays resulting from trains waiting to access single-track segments, bottlenecks at bridges, and lack of electrified tracks.
Although the event was primarily focused on passenger rail, Senator Warner took questions from those in attendance on a range of topics of interest both locally and nationally such as the war in Ukraine, affordable housing, broadband, inflation, immigration reform, and renewable energy. During the meeting, he shared local accolades, calling out the ongoing Shenandoah Valley Airport project, and the Afton Express and BRITE Transit System. Senator Warner acknowledged Bonnie Riedesel’s recent retirement and thanked her for her many years of service to the region.
The Senator’s trip through the Valley also included stops in Harrisonburg and Buena Vista where he spoke about regionally significant projects.
Industrial Revitalization Fund Awarded to Buena Vista
On March 29, Governor Glen Youngkin announced the award of seven Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) grants totaling over $10M. The City of Buena Vista (BV), who applied for additional funding support for the Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) Wilson Workforce Development Center project, received an FY 2024 IRF award totaling $650,000.
The IRF funding leverages other financial sources to modernize the one-time Courtesy Ford facility. The dealership was built in 1916 and is part of the Downtown Buena Vista Historic District. It’s also listed on the Virginia and National Register of Historic Places. The structure has remained vacant since about 2010. During a BV Community Development Block Grant Business District Revitalization study in 2019, the building was identified as blighted. This designation will change as the 18,750 square foot location is transformed into the Wilson Workforce Development Center, an approximately $6.1M project.
The Center will offer degree and non-degree programs in hard trades (HVAC technician, Commercial Driver’s License, Diesel Mechanic, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding). These employment fields are included in the FastForward program, which provides tuition assistance to Virginians training for in-demand jobs. The projected enrollment is 125 in the first year, rising to 300 students by year five. MGCC leadership established industry agreements for a total of 60 new jobs and 40 retained jobs at three regional employers: 1. Modine Manufacturing, 2. Everbrite, and 3. Lee-Hi Travel Plaza. Additionally, MGCC anticipates the creation of 28 direct jobs as a result of this project. Collectively, these commitments represent over $2M in investment by the respective employers. The Center will be a cornerstone to BV’s downtown development as it will bring students, faculty, and staff from around the region and contribute directly to local merchants and restaurants.
The Governor’s news release stated, “Since 2012, the IRF program has funded 66 projects that have revitalized vacant, blighted buildings. These projects have generated more than $228 million in additional public and private investment and resulted in the creation of more than 1,200 jobs across Virginia. For more information on IRF, visit www.dhcd.virginia.gov/irf.”