The CSPDC assisted our localities to submit over $6.4 million of funding applications in the last month.
Sponsoring Partnerships & Revitalizing Communities (SPARC)
Total: $3,000,000
The CSPDC applied for a new allocation of funds through Virginia Housing’s SPARC Program, which offers reduced-rate funding with a 1% adjustment to interest rates below Virginia Housing’s prevailing home loan rates. Last year, CSPDC secured $1.7 million through SPARC and supported eight clients in the Shenandoah Valley purchase homes. This year, the CSPDC aims to nearly double the number of future first-time homeowners it can support.
Goshen Community Service Facility – Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Total: $1,250,000
The Town of Goshen applied for $1.25 million CDBG Community Improvement Grant to build a multi-purpose community service facility in Goshen. The proposed facility would provide health care, a food pantry, senior services, and many needed community services under one roof.
Stillwater Revitalization Project – Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF)
Total: $1,000,000
In June, the CSPDC helped prepare an IRF application to transform the former Stillwater Worsted Mills textile plant building in Goshen, Rockbridge County. The project aims to secure $1 million in IRF funds to rejuvenate the structure, converting it into a multi-use facility shared between the Virginia Mechanical Preservation Society and North Fork, a manufacturer of wood-based products. If the application is successful, the revitalized building will house a museum, a preservation workshop, and a forest-to-finish wood manufacturing factory, focusing on the construction of log cabin tiny homes.
Afton Mountain Revitalization – CDBG Planning Grant
Total: $100,000
The CSPDC assisted Augusta County in applying for a $100,000 CDBG Planning Grant to develop a master plan for the Afton Mountain-Rockfish Gap site. If successful, the grant will enable the identification of the optimal mix of amenities and business opportunities for this unique site and would be a key step towards the site’s redevelopment.
Northern Highlands 4-County Communications Network Project – ARC ARISE Planning Grant
Total: $144,600
CSPDC staff supported a two-state, four-county effort, involving Bath (VA), Highland (VA), Pocahontas (WV), and Pendleton (WV) counties, to pursue an ARC ARISE (Appalachian Regional Commission Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies) planning grant. Together the partners crafted a Concept Paper to construct a multi-phase, 21st Century communication infrastructure network which is expected to drive regional economic development and support public safety operations along the VA/WV border. If ARC approves the Concept Paper, the working group will be invited to complete the full ARC ARISE application later this year.
Wilson Workforce Development Center – Community Development Block Grant
Total: $950,000
The CSPDC continues to support the City of Buena Vista’s efforts to apply for grant funding to source the Mountain Gateway Community College’s (MGCC) Wilson Workforce Development Center completion. In June 2024, Buena Vista applied for a $950,000 Community Development Block Grant to source the purchase of equipment needed by MGCC faculty to instruct students on courses for in-demand jobs such as HVAC, building trades, electrical, plumbing, industrial technology, precision machining, welding, diesel mechanics, and CDLs. Buena Vista staff wrote the application on behalf of MGCC, with technical assistance from the CSPDC.
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission has selected Ann Cundy to serve as the new Executive Director of the CSPDC. Ann has served the CSPDC for over 11 years, most recently as the Director of Transportation where she managed the agency’s transportation and transit programs. Her new position took effect April 1. She follows Bonnie Riedesel who retired after working at the CSPDC for 29 years and serving as its Executive Director since 2008.
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) opened their FY 2025 Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) grant application timeframe on April 1, 2024. The IRF program aims to transform vacant, non-residential buildings from a physically and economically blighted state to structures that drive commercial success, community revitalization, and job creation. Qualifying facilities include ones previously used for manufacturing, logistics, power production, and mining. Additionally, large-scale buildings like shopping centers, schools, mixed-use (as long as 30% of the project is commercial), department stores, hotels, and theaters are eligible properties. Local governments, including economic/industrial development authorities, are eligible to submit applications for the IRF program.
The CSPDC’s PDC Housing Development Grant is nearing its three-year mark in June 2024, and the seven partners that were awarded a total of $1.66 million in gap funding for their affordable housing developments have made significant progress over the past year. Given delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions, the deadline to complete all projects has been moved to June 2025. Upon completion, the grant will result in the development of 58 new units of affordable housing in the Central Shenandoah region.