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
Highland County Recreation Commission Kicks off Outdoor Recreation Strategic Plan
The Highland County Recreation Commission (HCRC) received a technical assistance grant through the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program to develop an outdoor recreation strategic plan for Highland County and the HCRC. The Strategic Plan will identify how the HCRC and its partners can enhance outdoor recreation facilities, develop new recreation opportunities, improve community health, and cultivate a community culture that values physical activity and the environment in Highland County.
The year-long strategic planning process kicked off on October 24th as National Park Service Staff met with stakeholders and visited recreation sites around Highland County. The resulting deliverable will be a 5-year plan the HCRC, the County, and partner organizations can follow to successfully 1) expand outdoor rec facilities in the Town of Monterey, 2) develop outdoor recreation opportunities in the surrounding county, and 3) grow outdoor recreation programs and events that promote community wellness and ecotourism. The CSPDC is providing grant writing services and grant administrative support.
Mountain Gateway Project Awarded EDA Grant
The development of Mountain Gateway Community College’s (MGCC) Workforce and Entrepreneurial Center just got a boost from a $3 million grant through the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Assistance to Coal Communities initiative. Funding will be used to renovate an existing building in downtown Buena Vista as a manufacturing training center and entrepreneurial innovation laboratory. The project will expand the college’s capacity to deliver training and award industry credentials to meet local employers’ workforce needs in the areas of advanced manufacturing, machining, welding, HVAC, and diesel mechanics. The facility also will serve as an innovation lab where entrepreneurs can exchange ideas and collaborate as they start or grow businesses. As a designated EDA Economic Development District, the CSPDC provided technical assistance for MGCC’s application.
Update on PDC Housing Development Grant
The PDC Housing Development Grant, which provides gap funds to affordable housing developers in our region, is well underway with seven partners across the region working toward the development of 60 new housing units.
Several projects, including Valley Supportive Housing’s Pump Street Apartments, Friendly City Development, LLC’s Suter Street Neighborhood Development, and Foley 11 LLC’s Foley Road Efficiencies Project, are in the process of completing engineering & design work and are awaiting permitting before breaking ground.
The Fairfax Hall Rehabilitation Project in Waynesboro received a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) award in early Fall which will finance a significant portion of the project, and is completing final project financing, planning, and design specifications. They plan to begin work in 2023.
Our Community Place’s Block House Apartments project has begun initial demolition and building rehabilitation work, and initial interior construction activities are underway.
Rockbridge Habitat for Humanity’s Greenhouse Village Project has completed water and sewer connections and has begun initial site work on two of the eight home sites. On October 4th, CSPDC staff made a site visit to check out the future home sites for the final phase of the Greenhouse Village project, and had a chance to walk through a recently completed Habitat home.
All projects are expected to be completed by June 30, 2024.
