News
CSPDC Receives Broadband Grant for Rockbridge and Bath Counties
CSPDC was among 12 applicants across the state awarded grant funds through the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) program. The $2.2M grant submitted by the CSPDC on behalf of Rockbridge and Bath counties and in conjunction with BARC Electric Cooperative will help bridge the digital divide and expand broadband infrastructure in the unserved areas of Rockbridge and Bath counties. With over $15M in BARC funds leveraged, the project will deploy a total of 314 miles of gigabit last mile fiber infrastructure that is expected to serve an estimated 1,100 businesses and residences in the two counties. The CSPDC is providing grant assistance and administrative support for the project.
Public Notice of Bath-Highland Network Authority Meeting
On February 3, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., the Bath-Highland Network Authority will hold a meeting at the Highland Center at 61 Highland Center Drive Monterey, Virginia 24465 . For more information about the meeting, please contact Ms. Hunter Moore at 540-885-5174 or hunter@cspdc.org.
Bonnie Riedesel & Nancy Gourley Recognized at Commission Meeting
Executive Director Bonnie Riedesel was recognized for her 25 years of service with the CSPDC during the December 2019 Commission Meeting. She started her tenure in 1994 as a regional planner and has served as Executive Director since 2008.
Nancy Gourley was also recognized for her six years of outstanding leadership of the BRITE Bus transit system. She will be retiring from her role as Transit Manager in January 2020.
VAPDC Winter Conference: February 6-7, 2020
The Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC), Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) and Virginia Municipal League (VML) will join forces again this year for their annual Winter Conference in Richmond on February 6-7, 2020. Participants will attend the 2020 General Assembly session on County Government Day and will hear from Governor Ralph Northam regarding his legislative agenda and how it will strengthen Virginia’s communities. Sonya Waddell, Vice President and Economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond will also present on state and local economic perspectives. Registration for the conference is now open.
Rails to Trail Forms Committee
A group of elected leaders, local government staff, non-profits, trail advocates, and PDC staff met on November 7, 2019 in the Town of Mt. Jackson to convene the Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail Exploratory Partnership. The Rail Trail is proposed to run for 38 miles connecting eight towns and two counties between the Town of Strasburg in northern Shenandoah County to Broadway in northwestern Rockingham County.
At the meeting, a set of bylaws was approved, Mr. Brandon Davis, NSVRC Executive Director and Ms. Bonnie Riedesel, CSPDC Executive Director were elected chair and vice-chair respectively and Mr. Don Hindman was appointed as the Program Director of the Partnership. The Partnership will reconvene in early 2020 to develop a scope of work for a rail trail feasibility study and master plan, and to begin work with Ursula Lemanski, who will provide technical assistance and project coordination to the Partnership through the National Park Service via a Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. Visit the Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail website for more information.