112 MacTanly Place
Staunton, VA 24401
phone: 540-885-5174
fax: 540-885-2687
Welcome to the CSPDC
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) represents and serves the local governments of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge, and Rockingham counties and the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro as well as the 11 towns within the Central Shenandoah region.
The CSPDC works with its member jurisdictions, communities and agencies to provide high-quality planning, technical assistance, and facilitation of services that address local, regional and state needs in an innovative, timely and cooperative manner. Covering everything from land use planning, transportation, water and waste-water utilities, natural resource management, affordable housing, economic and community development, disaster mitigation and preparedness, agritourism to human services, the CSPDC is an invaluable asset to the quality of life in the Shenandoah Valley. For more information about the CSPDC, click here.
Latest News
VTA Announces Inaugural Class of Fellows for the Virginia Transit Leadership Institute
The CSPDC is pleased to announce that Devon Thompson, Transit Planner, has been selected to participate in Virginia Transit Association’s (VTA) inaugural year for the Virginia Transit Leadership Institute (VTLI). VTLI is a groundbreaking program aimed at fostering the next generation of public transportation leaders in Virginia.
VTLI is a program initiated by the Commonwealth’s transit systems and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DPRT), and is designed to engage, elevate, and cultivate emerging leaders in the public transportation sector. This nine-month comprehensive program is tailored to mid-level and future executives, providing them with a holistic understanding of transit from diverse perspectives across the Commonwealth. “VTLI represents a significant milestone in the advancement of Virginia’s public transportation sector, providing a platform for emerging leaders to cultivate their skills, collaborate with industry experts, and drive innovation. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact these fellows will make on our state’s transit landscape and the communities we serve,” said Danny Plaugher, Executive Director of VTA.
The VTLI planning committee meticulously chose 16 individuals among dozens of qualified candidates to participate in the program. Other agencies represented in the cohort include: Charlottesville Area Transit, Blacksburg Transit, Bay Transit, RVA Rapid Transit, Alexandria Transit Company, City of Fairfax, Hampton Roads Transit, Fredericksburg Regional Transit, Virginia Railway Express, Williamsburg Area Transit Authority, Ride Source, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, DRPT, Greater Lynchburg Transit Company, and Mountain Empire Older Citizens.
About VTA – The Virginia Transit Association (VTA) is dedicated to enhancing public transportation in Virginia. With over 125 members, including transit agencies, businesses, regional entities, and nonprofit organizations, VTA works tirelessly to advocate for a more efficient and sustainable public transportation network, fostering economic prosperity, environmental responsibility, and community livability.
CSPDC Receives Housing Grants
In July, the CSPDC received notice of two grant awards from Virginia Housing. Collectively, these grants bring $1,725,000 in housing funds to the region. The CSPDC received an allocation of $1.7 million in funds through Virginia Housing’s Sponsoring Partnerships & Revitalizing Communities (SPARC) Program, a special allocation of reduced rate funding which provides a 1% adjustment to interest rates below Virginia Housing’s prevailing home loan rates. These funds will be used to complement the CSPDC’s existing First Time Homebuyer Program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to income-qualified homebuyers at 80% AMI or below. The CSPDC is currently completing initial program development activities with Virginia Housing and will begin outreach to Virginia Housing approved lenders in the coming month.
Additionally, the CSPDC received a $15,000 Community Impact Grant to conduct a Preliminary Architecture Report for a key property in Downtown Monterey. The building is the former home of the Highland Recorder Newspaper, and the property owner is partnering with the CSPDC, Highland County EDA, and Monterey town officials to assess potential future residential use. The study will kick off in August, and its findings will be used to determine best next steps for future re-development of the site for housing opportunities.
Bath-Highland Network Authority Public Notice Meeting
On July 10th, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., the Bath-Highland Network Authority will hold a meeting at the Bolar Ruritan Club, 38 Bolar Ln Monterey, VA 24465. For more information about the meeting, please contact Ms. Hunter Moore at 540-885-5174 or hunter@cspdc.org.
