112 MacTanly Place
Staunton, VA 24401
phone: 540-885-5174
fax: 540-885-2687
View Our Regional Collaboration Video
Investments in the Region Report FY24
CSPDC Housing Study Report Released
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.
CSPDC Joins Virginia PDCs on Capitol Hill
Earlier this month, CSPDC participated in the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Policy Conference, held March 8–11 in Washington, DC. The conference brought together development district professionals from across the country to engage with federal policymakers on issues critical to regional communities.
As part of the conference, Virginia’s PDC community turned out in force for a luncheon meeting with Congressional staff from both Senate offices and three House representatives’ offices. The conversation centered on three priorities directly relevant to the work of regional planning districts and the communities we serve.
First, increased funding for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) — a cornerstone federal partner for economic resilience and regional development investment. Second, support for the BASICS Act, the current vehicle for surface transportation reauthorization, which shapes the framework for how federal transportation dollars flow to states and regions. Third, the Road to Housing Act, which addresses the national housing affordability and supply challenges that are equally pressing here in the Shenandoah Valley.
We also recently shared our Senators’ call for congressionally directed spending requests, and encourage our member jurisdictions to communicate your project ideas to their staff, and call on the PDC for assistance with your requests.
CSPDC Selects New Contractor for BRITE Transit Operations
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) is pleased to announce the selection of Resource Management Systems, Inc. (RMS) as the new contractor for turnkey operations and maintenance of the BRITE Transit system. RMS will assume operations beginning July 1, 2026, under a five-year base contract with options to extend for up to nine years total.
RMS is a Georgia-based transit service provider with over 30 years of experience delivering public transportation, paratransit, and non-emergency medical transportation services to communities across the country. They are no strangers to regions like ours — RMS currently provides transit services to numerous rural counties and planning commissions across Georgia, giving them a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that come with serving rural communities. The CSPDC is confident that RMS’s experience and commitment to accessible, reliable transportation make them an excellent fit for BRITE and the communities we serve.
As recipients of federal and state funding, the CSPDC is required to conduct a fully open and competitive procurement at the end of each contract term. That process was completed this year, resulting in the award to RMS.
This transition also marks the close of a long and valued chapter with our outgoing contractor, Virginia Regional Transit (VRT). VRT has operated the BRITE system since before the CSPDC assumed oversight of the program, and their dedication to this region has been immeasurable. The hard work, institutional knowledge, and care that VRT’s team has brought to BRITE over the years has shaped the system into what it is today, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership and service.
As the June 30, 2026 contract end date approaches, the CSPDC will work closely with both VRT and RMS to ensure a seamless transition. Our top priority is continuity of service — riders should experience no disruption on July 1st. In fact, the most noticeable change may simply be some fresh, new vehicles on the road.
HRMPO Holds Open House on North Mason Street Corridor Study
The Harrisonburg Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO) held a public open house on Tuesday, February 24 at the Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center to share proposed improvement concepts for the MPO North Mason Street Study. Study is evaluating safety and streetscape improvements between East Market Street and North Main Street, and study builds on last summer’s demonstration project, which temporarily converted North Mason Street from four lanes to two. 1,500 people shared their input on the demonstration project.
February open house attendees reviewed the proposed design concepts, asked questions, and provided input on potential improvement strategies. Public input will inform the City’s selection of a preferred alternative, and will be documented in a final corridor study expected to be complete by summer 2026.
The study evaluates options for permanent changes to the corridor by replacing some existing roadway space with new public space. The designs also ensure adequate capacity for traffic while accommodating all modes of transportation, including pedestrians, people biking, trucks, emergency vehicles, and transit buses.
Following the preferred alternative selection, the City of Harrisonburg intends to submit the project for consideration through Virginia’s SMART SCALE transportation funding program. If funded, construction would begin after 2030.
You can review the informational boards from the meeting here: https://www.harrisonburgva.gov/sites/default/files/public-works/North%20Mason%20Boards.pdf.
For more information about the study, visit https://www.harrisonburgva.gov/transportation-studies-plans#NorthMasonStreetCorridorStudy.
