Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission is a designated Economic Development District (EDD) under a program administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). One of the CSPDC’s primary responsibilities as an Economic Development District is to prepare a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the District. A key component of the CEDS is to establish and maintain a robust, diverse economic ecosystem. The CEDS provides a platform for individuals, organizations, local governments, institutes of learning, and private industry to engage in a meaningful conversation about how local strengths can be leveraged to improve overall quality of life and how barriers can be overcome to achieve goals. Establishing regional economic development goals through an intensive planning process is not only important in terms of setting roles and responsibilities among stakeholders, completing an EDA-approved CEDS unlocks federal and state funding sources that are invaluable to localities who may not otherwise have access to capital.

The Central Shenandoah Region is an area rich in employment opportunities, natural resources, and economic assets that can support sustainable growth into the future. Every corner of the Central Shenandoah Region is diverse in its geography and industry mix, which is part of what makes the region enticing to residents and businesses alike.

Focused on sustaining and enhancing these characteristics, the CSPDC engaged in a CEDS to pursue strategy-driven regional economic development. The CEDS serves as a roadmap to guide the region in achieving their vision.

Moving Forward Together

The CSPDC'S CEDS contains five ambitious goals, which are outlined in the following dropdowns. Beneath each vision are goals, which help define how that vision will be achieved. Nearly every goal requires collaboration from not only localities, but regional economic development and planning partners.

Action Plan

The planning process was initiated with the understanding that developing relationships among stakeholders in the public and private sector would be essential for successful implementation. The factors, partners and other resources expected for implementation are detailed in the Implementation Plan Matrix. Potential funding sources are identified so that the organization can launch into implementation from planning. CSPDC anticipates taking on the role of facilitator, while enabling local experts to take on goal areas that match their expertise. Additionally, each objective has a performance measure, which will be updated along with other necessary elements during each annual review of the CEDS required by the Economic Development Administration.

For more information please contact the CSPDC offices.

Staff Contact(s)
  • Jeremy Crute (jeremy@cspdc.org)
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