Photo credit: Jaggery, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110573039

The CSPDC is conducting a microtransit feasibility study, with technical assistance from Kimley-Horn. The kick-off meeting was conducted at the November BRITE Transit Advisory Committee (BTAC) meeting, as the BTAC will serve as the stakeholder group.  Microtransit is an on-demand transportation service where riders can request rides via an app or a call to the dispatcher, and service is available within designated areas. Microtransit provides flexibility and additional coverage to service areas and can either complement existing routes or replace underperforming fixed routes. Many microtransit service systems often designate a first/last mile connection to certain routes, so that riders who live within a mile of an existing bus stop can be picked up or dropped off closer to their home.

To assess the demand and feasibility for microtransit services in our region, Kimley-Horn will be analyzing data (such as travel patterns, employment, demographics, passenger and trips counts, route patterns, etc.), past studies and plans, and collaborating with the stakeholder group. Because microtransit services work best when they are implemented to serve the specific needs of a region, community understanding will be critical in creating a study that will serve BRITE transit service area.

In July 2024, the CSPDC secured its second allocation of funding from Virginia Housing’s Sponsoring Partnerships & Revitalizing Communities (SPARC) Program. With over $3 million in SPARC funds now available for eligible first-time homebuyers, the CSPDC can help more individuals achieve homeownership in the Central Shenandoah region.

Through SPARC, Virginia Housing’s approved lenders can offer a 1% mortgage interest rate reduction to eligible first-time homebuyers, enhancing their purchasing power and potentially saving them thousands over the life of the loan. These funds will complement the CSPDC’s existing First-Time Homebuyer Program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to income-qualified buyers at 80% AMI or below.

Additionally, the City of Harrisonburg received an allocation of SPARC funds, making it the first locality in the Central Shenandoah to offer interest rate reductions to future eligible homebuyers.

For more information about the CSPDC’s First-Time Homebuyer Programs, please contact: Philippe Bone, philippe@cspdc.org.

How do you want to get around the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro region in 2050? The Staunton Augusta Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) wants to hear from residents about their community priorities to help shape the future of the region’s transportation network.

The SAWMPO, which is staffed by CSPDC, is providing several ways for residents to get involved and provide input that will guide the development of the region’s 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).

The LRTP will cover all modes of transportation within the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro and the urbanized portion of Augusta County. Phase One of the 2050 LRTP process is focused on the community vision for the future of transportation in the SAWMPO region. Residents are invited to:

• Fill out the online Visioning Survey between August 12 and September 30, 2024 in English or in Español.
• Register to participate in the webinar on August 28 at 12 p.m. or watch the recording on-demand.

The community priorities identified in the survey will be one element used to determine which transportation projects are considered, and to develop the evaluation criteria for the projects before they can be included in the 2050 LRTP.

Visit sawmpo.org/long-range-planning for more information and to sign up to receive email updates on the LRTP.

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.

Frank Friedman, Vice Chair of the CSPDC, says “I am delighted to announce that Ann will lead the agency in the years ahead. The CSPDC will benefit from her tremendous knowledge of planning and years of experience. I invite all our member jurisdictions to congratulate Ann and to support her future success.” All the Commissioners look forward to supporting Ann and the entire CSPDC team in serving our 21 jurisdictions in the region.

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.

Units of local  government can apply for IRF funding to use on publicly owned property or on behalf of a for-profit or non-profit entity for privately owned property. The IRF grants or loans provide up to $1M in funding. To exhibit project viability and the applicant’s commitment, local governments must provide a 100 percent (1:1) match from private or public sources. The IRF funding priorities include: a) relationship to a local or regional economic development strategy; b) high degree of blight and deterioration to be addressed; c) project readiness; d) project with a clear end use; e) end use has clear and significant community economic impact; and f) high economic distress in project locality.

IRF grant applications are due in CAMS (Centralized Application and Management System) on May 31, 2024 with the grant award announcement expected in the summer of 2024. For more information on the IRF program, visit this DHCD webpage: https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/irf. For additional assistance, please contact the CSPDC at (540) 558-5174.