CSPDC Joins Virginia PDCs on Capitol Hill

Posted on March 19, 2026March 19, 2026 by Paula Melester

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

Posted on March 19, 2026March 19, 2026 by Paula Melester

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

Posted on March 19, 2026March 19, 2026 by Paula Melester

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.

Rockbridge Outdoors Begins 2026–2030 Strategic Planning Process

Posted on March 19, 2026March 19, 2026 by Paula Melester

On March 12, 2026, graduate students in the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Virginia School of Architecture facilitated an on-site workshop at the Virginia Horse Center to support the Rockbridge Outdoors Strategic Plan update for 2026–2030. This marks the initiative’s third strategic planning process since the Rockbridge Outdoors Area Partnership launched in 2018.

Rockbridge Outdoors’ mission is to collaboratively advance, create, and promote outdoor recreational opportunities throughout the Rockbridge area. The initiative is made up of approximately 50 organizations excited about supporting a regional vision for outdoor recreation in the Rockbridge area.

During the session, the students introduced two engagement tools designed to gather community input: an asset map highlighting outdoor recreation resources and a public survey to capture feedback from partnership members. Rockbridge Outdoors’ project teams–Community Wellness, Marketing, Trails, and Water Trails—also met and reviewed existing action plans and established updated priorities for the next four years.

The strategic planning team is continuing its information-gathering process through several focus groups composed of outdoor recreation stakeholders. The finalized strategic plan is expected to be completed and delivered by the end of April.

Stay Connected with CSPDC: Introducing Our Enhanced Engagement Hub

Posted on March 19, 2026March 19, 2026 by Paula Melester

We’re excited to share a fresh new way to stay in the loop on the planning work happening across the Central Shenandoah region. Visit connect.cspdc.org to explore our new online engagement hub, where you can follow our programs, track projects you care about, and share your input — all in one place.

The site is organized around CSPDC’s program areas, making it easy to find what’s most relevant to you. Start at the “Around the Region“ hub for our annual report and monthly regional news, or head straight to the program area hub that interests you most — transportation, housing, environment, and more. Each hub showcases all of the related projects currently underway, so you’ll always have a clear picture of what we’re up to.

Subscribe or Follow — and Stay in the Know

This is where Connect really shines. You have two easy ways to stay current:

Subscribe to a program area — Just enter your email address on any program area page to receive updates whenever new content is posted. No account needed.
Follow a specific project — Interested in a particular project? Click the “Follow” button on the project page to receive targeted updates. This option requires a free Social Pinpoint account, which takes just a moment to set up.

Creating an account also lets you customize your experience — choose which parts of the region you want to hear about, select the types of projects that interest you, and set how often you’d like to receive notifications. You’re in control, and you can update your preferences or delete your account at any time.

Your Input Matters — Even After Engagement Closes

When a project is in an active engagement phase, you’ll find surveys, interactive maps, and other tools right on the project page. But project pages don’t disappear when an engagement window closes — they stay on the site to share results and provide ongoing project updates, so the conversation continues.

We hope you’ll take a few minutes to explore connect.cspdc.org. Subscribe to what interests you, follow the projects you want to track, and let us know what you think!

CSPDC Partners with Virginia Energy Sense to Bring Energy Efficiency Resources to the Region

Posted on March 19, 2026March 19, 2026 by Paula Melester

The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) is excited to announce a new partnership with Virginia Energy Sense, Virginia’s statewide energy education program, to connect residents and local partners across our region with free energy efficiency tools, tips, and resources.

Virginia Energy Sense operates under the guidance of the Virginia State Corporation Commission and is dedicated to helping Virginians reduce their energy use and save money — without sacrificing comfort. Through this partnership, the CSPDC will work to distribute Virginia Energy Sense’s educational materials to households, businesses, and community organizations throughout the planning district.

Whether you own your home, rent, or manage a business, Virginia Energy Sense has resources tailored for you. Their website offers guidance on do-it-yourself home energy audits, seasonal energy-saving tips, information on energy-efficient products, and a comprehensive directory of available incentives and rebates from federal, state, and utility providers that can help offset the cost of energy-efficient upgrades.

We encourage all residents and community partners to explore the free resources available at virginiaenergysense.org and to subscribe to their newsletter for ongoing energy-saving tips delivered straight to your inbox.