Category Archives: Main Featured

From Broadband to Water to Transit: CSPDC Staff Dive Deep into Regional Challenges

Posted on by
Picture Credits: Choose Clean Water Coalition, photo by Carolyn Millard, Leeanna Duong, and Drew Robinson

Bridging the Digital Divide

Regional Planner Philippe Bone participated in Broadband Together 2025: Universal Broadband and Beyond in Richmond (May 15th). This event, hosted by the Broadband Association of Virginia, the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD), and the Virginia Municipal League, focused on achieving universal broadband access while exploring emerging technologies like telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity enhancement. Currently, CSPDC administers three DHCD-funded Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) projects—one serving Bath and Highland counties, and two in Rockbridge County—collectively aiming to deliver internet service to over 3,700 locations throughout the Central Shenandoah region.

Tackling Water Quality Challenges

The annual Choose Clean Water Conference in Harrisonburg (May 19-21) drew more than 280 participants, including two CSPDC staff members, Zach Beard and Rachel Kinzer.  Together, they explored this year’s theme: “Hills and Valleys: Our Journey for Clean Water.” The three-day event brought together environmental professionals, advocates, and community leaders to collaborate on innovative solutions for watershed restoration and Chesapeake Bay protection. Conference sessions tackled pressing contemporary issues, from the growing presence of data centers in Virginia and their potential impacts on water quality and quantity, to PFAS contamination in biosolids and effective community engagement strategies around flooding, historic preservation and environmental restoration.

Exploring Transit Innovation

CSPDC’s transit team, Danielle Gannon, Paula Melester, and Devon Thompson, attended the Virginia Transit Association’s (VTA) Annual Conference & Expo on May 28-29 in Richmond. This gathering brought together transit professionals from across the Commonwealth alongside policy makers, consultants, and vendors to examine both current realities and future possibilities in public transportation. Sessions focused heavily on funding challenges while also exploring creative topics like incorporating art into transit systems, workforce development needs, cybersecurity, and land use planning tools that help communities better connect residents to essential services.

Connecting the Dots

While these three conferences addressed distinct sectors, common themes emerged around funding challenges, the intersection of technology with traditional infrastructure, and the importance of community engagement. Whether discussing water quality impacts from data centers, cybersecurity concerns in transit systems, or the role of broadband in enabling telemedicine, each event highlighted how modern infrastructure challenges require integrated thinking and comprehensive solutions.

Building Resilience One Community at a Time: CSPDC’s Comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Approach

Posted on by

Throughout May and June, the CSPDC Community Development Team of Jeremy Crute, Rachel Kinzer, Elizabeth Goodloe and Philippe Bone, embarked on a region-wide listening tour, sitting down face-to-face with representatives from all 21 member localities to discuss their communities’ experiences with natural disasters and explore tailored solutions. These strategic planning meetings represent a cornerstone of the Central Shenandoah Hazard Mitigation Plan (CSHMP) development process—but they’re also something more: an opportunity to understand each community’s unique story.

From the mountain communities of Bath and Highland counties to the valley towns along major corridors, the team discovered that no two localities face identical challenges. Some communities grapple with recurring flood patterns along historic creek beds, while others contend with winter weather impacts on remote mountain roads. Each conversation revealed local knowledge that can’t be captured in data alone, such as which neighborhoods have elderly residents who might need additional support during power outages, or which local businesses serve as community gathering points during emergencies.

This ground-up approach to hazard mitigation planning goes beyond simply identifying risks by meeting with each locality individually to develop actionable mitigation strategies that reflect real-world conditions and community priorities. The goal is to emphasize proactive community protection and identify vulnerabilities so solutions can be implemented that make communities more resilient. The conversations happening now will shape how our region weathers future challenges—literally and figuratively—creating a plan that strengthens the fabric of regional preparedness.

The completed Central Shenandoah Hazard Mitigation Plan is expected to be adopted in early 2026. Once approved by FEMA, it will ensure all member localities remain eligible for federal disaster assistance while providing a roadmap for long-term community resilience.

 

Former Executive Director Receives Public Service Award

Posted on by

Photo by Michelle Krone

Recently-retired Executive Director Bonnie Riedesel received the JMU Career Achievement in Public Service Award on April 22, 2025. JMU has recognized individuals across the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia region for their excellence in public service as part of the national Public Service Recognition Week. Honorees are nominated and selected by their peers and colleagues, facilitated by the JMU MPA program and are recognized at the annual Public Service Reception on the JMU campus.

Nominated by our partner organization the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley, Bonnie was recognized for her 29 years of service to the region, the many new and innovative programs that she launched, and her spirit of collaboration. We congratulate Bonnie on this much-deserved award!

CSPDC and DEQ Kick Off Regional Water Supply Plans

Posted on by

On April 1, 2025, CSPDC staff, representatives from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and regional stakeholders gathered to kick-off the Shenandoah River 1 and Upper James River 1 Water Supply Plans. These plans are being developed in accordance with the Local and Regional Water Supply Planning Regulation (9VAC25-780), which requires their completion by 2029.

The Shenandoah River 1 regional planning unit includes Augusta and Rockingham counties; the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro; and the towns of Bridgewater, Broadway, Craigsville, Dayton, Elkton, Grottoes, Mount Crawford, and Timberville.

The Upper James River 1 planning unit includes Bath, Highland, and Rockbridge counties; the cities of Buena Vista and Lexington; and the towns of Glasgow, Goshen, and Monterey.

To support initial planning efforts, the CSPDC has received approximately $20,000 in grant funding across the two regional units. This will help with early-stage activities such as developing a project management plan and timeline, conducting initial data collection, and local data requests.

The water supply planning process is a long-term, collaborative effort involving input from state agencies, regional entities, and local governments. The CSPDC will lead coordination of all planning efforts for both water supply plans, facilitating communication among DEQ, localities, and public service authorities, and overseeing data collection and plan development.

CSPDC Applies for Increased SPARC Allocation for First-Time Homebuyers’ Program

Posted on by

In April 2025, the CPSDC applied for its third allocation of funds through Virginia Housing’s Sponsoring Partnerships & Revitalizing Communities (SPARC) Program. Building on the success of its previous efforts, the CSPDC is seeking $4.5 million in SPARC funding to support first-time, eligible homebuyers across the Central Shenandoah region.

The CSPDC first became a SPARC sponsor in 2023, with an initial $1.7 million allocation. Due to strong demand for more SPARC funds, the CSPDC asked for an allocation of $3 million the following year, which was fully expended by the end of the first quarter of 2025. Through this funding, the CSPDC helped a total of eleven homebuyers achieve homeownership, seven in Rockingham County, three in the City of Harrisonburg, and one in the City of Waynesboro. Each program participant completed Virginia Housing’s Homebuyer Education course and received housing counseling services from Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project Inc. (SERCAP).

The SPARC Program offers a reduced mortgage interest rate (a 1% adjustment below Virginia Housing’s prevailing home loan rates), potentially saving homebuyers thousands of dollars over the life of their loan. SPARC funds can also be used to complement the CSPDC’s existing First Time Homebuyer Program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to income-qualified homebuyers at 80% AMI or below. For more information about the CSPDC’s First-time homebuyer’s program, please contact Philippe Bone at 540-885-5174 or by email here.

Lewis Street Transit Hub Recognized with National Civic Improvement Award

Posted on by

The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) is proud to announce that the Lewis Street Transit Hub has been honored with a Civic Improvement Commendation from the Garden Club of America. The award recognizes “outstanding efforts which enhance, protect, or restore the local environment and improve the community.”

The Augusta Garden Club, a local chapter affiliated with the Garden Club of Virginia, nominated the project for this national honor. The club praised the thoughtful transformation of the site, particularly highlighting the use of native plants as an added value to the project.

In the nomination letter, the club’s Awards Chairman Marie Thomas shared, “This project has it all – improvement of an eyesore, proper use of governmental grants, and sensitivity to the needs of the neighborhood and travelers. This area was formerly an abandoned space that the Planning Commission has incorporated into a lovely green space to allow beauty and peace for citizens who use public transportation.”

The CSPDC team, represented by Ann Cundy and Paula Melester, accepted the award on April 9, 2025 during the Augusta Garden Club’s April meeting. In reflecting on the achievement, Ms. Melester emphasized that the award is a celebration of the entire project team — from funding partners, to the landscape architects and engineers at Kimley-Horn and Associates, the City of Staunton, and the contractors who brought the vision to life.

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of everyone involved, the Lewis Street Transit Hub now proudly carries the title of an “Award-Winning” site, enhancing the community and providing a welcoming space for transit users.

Congratulations to all who contributed to this transformational project!

The Lewis Street Transit Hub Rehabilitation was funded through a Federal Transit Administration Bus and Bus Facilities (5339) grant matched with state funding provided by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). You can read more about the project here.

CSPDC Housing Study Topic of JMU Stakeholder Discussion

Posted on by

On April 29th, JMU’s Office of Economic & Community Development hosted a discussion session on the CSPDC’s Regional Housing Study. The session provided space for local housing planners, service providers, real estate, and finance partners to engage with the Housing Study’s data and recommended solutions more deeply. Twenty community leaders collaboratively worked through two case studies with the goal of identifying next steps community partners can pursue to address our region’s housing issues. This is the first of a series of quarterly discussion sessions JMU will host over the next year on a variety of pressing community topics.

Waynesboro Traffic Playground Holds Ribbon Cutting

Posted on by

On May 3, 2025, the City of Waynesboro held a ribbon cutting for the new Rotary Traffic Playground at 101 Short Street. The facility features a small-scale road network with traffic signs, crosswalks and a roundabout. The Playground is designed for bicycle safety education and serves as a controlled environment where children or new riders can practice cycling skills before transitioning to public roads or the adjacent South River Greenway.

The Rotary Club of Waynesboro, the Waynesboro Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth partnered on the Playground. The Shenandoah Valley Art Center created murals for the Playground, while local fourth grade elementary students provided design input that was incorporated into the final layout.

The facility is open to bicycles, scooters, and electric-assist equipment. Users are expected to follow basic traffic rules such as riding on the right side of the road and obeying all posted signs.

For more information about operating hours and rules, visit: https://www.waynesboro.va.us/2275/Rotary-Traffic-Playground

GO Virginia Region 8 Hosts Project Pipeline Brainstorming Sessions

Posted on by

GO Virginia Region 8 recently wrapped up a series of four Project Pipeline Brainstorming Sessions. Community members, employers, chamber representatives, economic developers, industry leaders, and other regional stakeholders came together to identify local needs, propose project ideas, and collaborate on solutions within GO Virginia’s key focus areas: startup ecosystems, cluster scale-up, workforce development, and site/infrastructure development. The sessions, held at Laurel Ridge Community College, the Shentel Center, the VA Innovation Accelerator, and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership office explored the GO Virginia grant process and upcoming funding opportunities while brainstorming potential projects that may be eligible for GO Virginia funding.

GO Virginia is a statewide business-led economic development initiative with funding to invest in collaborative projects that lead to high-paying jobs. The mission of GO Virginia is to encourage collaboration among business, education, and government. GO Virginia Region 8, one of nine regions in Virginia, includes the CSPDC’s ten cities and counties plus another 6 localities to the north.