News
CSPDC Welcomes New Commissioners
Mr. Butch Wells was appointed to the CSPDC Commission to represent Augusta County. He is a member of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors and a retired Chief of Police for the City of Staunton.
Mr. Sal Romero was appointed as the City of Harrisonburg’s representative to the CSPDC to replace Mr. Ted Byrd. Mr. Romero, Harrisonburg City Council Vice Chairman, is Coordinator of Family and Community Engagement for Harrisonburg City Public Schools.
HRMPO Studies Port Republic Road
The Harrisonburg – Rockingham MPO is conducting an operational and safety analysis of the Port Republic Road corridor between South Main Street and Devon Lane in Harrisonburg and testing the outcomes of specific treatments to determine their effectiveness. The results supported by 3-D visualizations and measurable benefits, will provide decision makers and the public with recommended improvements. The objective is to reduce travel times and improve the level of service and safety to this primary corridor.
A public meeting to solicit community input on potential improvements will be heldWednesday, February 20, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 pm in the Harrisonburg City Council Chambers, 409 South Main Street.
B-H Broadband Authority Created & Holds First Meeting
The Bath-Highland Network Authority, created in 2017 to seek broadband solutions and funding opportunities for the counties of Bath and Highland, held its first organizational meeting on January 10, 2019 at the Bolar Ruritan Club in Highland County. The Authority is made up of representatives from Bath County, Highland County, and the Town of Monterey. Mr. Ashton Harrison of Bath County was elected Chair and Ms. Nancy Witschey of Highland County was elected Vice Chair. CSPDC acts as fiscal agent and provides staff support to the Authority. The next Authority meeting will be on April 8, 2019 and will continue to meet quarterly on the second Monday of the month.
50 Years of Population Growth in the Region
The CSPDC is proud to serve the estimated 301,485 residents within the five rural counties, five cities, and eleven towns that comprise the region. Over the past five decades, the region’s population has increased 61.8%, going from 186,306 in 1970 to an estimated 301,485 in 2018. The region gained the most residents (33,738) between 1990 and 2000. Although population increases have slowed since 2010, the region still displays healthy and steady growth patterns.
The City of Harrisonburg with an astounding 274% increase, gained more people than any other locality in the region since 1970 and was designated a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) following the 2000 U.S. Census. Ten years later, following the 2010 Census, the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro area was designated an MSA. This reflects their role as an area with a high level of social and economic interaction between the cities and county. As it was in 1969, Rockingham County is the CSPDC’s most populated locality while Highland County remains the lowest populated locality with 2,265 people.
Farm2Fork Affair: March 5
The Fields of Gold Farm Trail will have an information booth at the one-day Farm2Fork Affair. This event connects Shenandoah Valley farmers and producers with buyers throughout Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. Buyers representing restaurants, universities, hospitals, lodgings and retail establishments can conveniently sample and source products from our rich agricultural region.
This year the Farm2Fork Affair will be held at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds on March 5 and is a collaborative effort of Shenandoah Valley economic development and tourism organizations. Prior to the event, a workshop will provide guidance to participating producers on how to create a professional display and effectively network with potential clients.