The Advancement Foundation received an additional $110,000 through the Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) program to support the ongoing renovation of the Virginia Innovation Accelerator (VIA). The funding will be used install an eight-inch interior sewer line and an exterior sewer main. This funding will supplement a $985,000 IRF grant and a $700,000 ARC grant The Advancement Foundation received earlier this year to convert the former Mundet building in downtown Buena Vista into space for small-scale manufacturing, commercial kitchen use, business acceleration, and product development. CSPDC staff are providing grant administration assistance for the project.

The CSPDC is currently working on an update to the Town of Grottoes Comprehensive Plan. One focus for the update will be increasing civic engagement in the Grottoes community. This objective was originally identified in the 2023 Town of Grottoes Strategic Plan update, along with goals of establishing stronger connections and a sense of community in Grottoes. Research for the community facilities inventory portion of the Comprehensive Plan update confirmed that encouraging civic engagement would be a helpful priority for town officials.

Civic engagement refers to the actions taken by individuals and communities to address issues of public concern.[i] It can include partnering of different organizations such as government, businesses, non-profits, and faith-based organizations to create specific positive outcomes for the community. When citizens and organizations actively work together to contribute to the wellbeing of their towns, the results are greatly improved.

Civic engagement is seldom discussed, and some surveys show that it is declining, especially in the local sector.[ii] The decline could be because of a lack of knowledge about what civic engagement is, not enough emphasis in schools on the importance of community action, limited resources, or a belief that civic duty and changemaking are reserved for specific individuals in the community.

The Town of Grottoes historically has provided a variety of civic engagement opportunities for citizens. In addition to fundraising events for the volunteer fire department, police department, and rescue squad, Grottoes recently partnered with the local chapter of the Ruritan club to host an inaugural “Meet the Candidates” event so citizens could meet mayoral candidates and learn about their vision for the town. Other options for getting involved have included curating a fire department museum, joining efforts to keep the community pool open, and reading to elementary-age students.

The development process for the Comprehensive Plan update will include exploring ideas for increasing civic engagement. In addition to helping citizens understand that civic engagement is not always political but can include non-political activities that benefit the community, some of the following actions could be considered:

• Create a community garden to produce food the community can share or give to a food pantry.
• Landscape a local spot in need of beautification.
• Host a community dinner at Town Hall before a Planning Commission or Town Council meeting.
• Hold a stewardship day to clean up a street or a lot.
• Conduct round table discussions about local issues in an informal setting like a coffee shop.
• Create a public art installation.
• Provide volunteer opportunities at a local museum.
• Encourage random acts of kindness.
• Add a civic engagement “spotlight” to local government communications like newsletter, blog, or social media that highlights engaged citizens and volunteer opportunities.

Regardless of the type of program, the key to civic engagement success is for organizers to remain intentional and consistent. Even in the absence of planned events, civic engagement can be encouraged by expanding access to local news, inviting citizens to share local information with others, and simply asking them to plan to attend a meeting or vote in elections.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

[i] “Civic Engagement,” American Psychological Association, 2009, https://www.apa.org/education-career/undergrad/civic-engagement#:~:text=One%20useful%20definition%20of%20civic,organizational%20involvement%20to%20electoral%20participation.

[ii] Philip M. Alberti, Carla S. Alvarado, and Heather Pierce, “Civic Engagement: A Vital Sign of Health and Democracy,” AAMC Center for Health Justice, published September 26, 2022. https://www.aamchealthjustice.org/news/polling/civic-engagement.

The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) has completed the first phase of public engagement for the 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), gathering valuable insights from residents about their vision for the region’s transportation future.

The SAWMPO, staffed by the CSPDC, collected feedback from 284 community members through an online survey, community consultation sessions, and pop-up events across the region. The survey revealed strong community interest in expanding the options for transportation in the SAW area, particularly for walking, biking, and public transit. Other key findings from the public engagement survey include:

• Missing sidewalks and crosswalks ranked as the top transportation concern, followed by safety issues and distracted driving
• Residents noted other concerns about traffic safety and speed controls, particularly around interstate interchanges and impacts on local roads near residential areas during I-81 incidents
• Respondents expressed strong interest in protected bike lanes and family-friendly trails connecting neighborhoods to services
• Expanded public transit service was highlighted as a priority, especially in rural Augusta County areas

The SAWMPO also conducted targeted outreach through five community consultation sessions with 20 organizations with the goal of reaching traditionally underrepresented populations and establishing new partnerships for future engagement. SAWMPO hopes these consultations will help better refine efforts to reach all populations in SAW as the planning process moves into project development and prioritization phases in 2025.

These findings will directly inform Phase Two of the LRTP process, beginning in February 2025, when residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on specific proposed projects.

Visit Long Range Planning – Staunton Augusta Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization to view the complete Public Engagement Summary Report and learn about upcoming opportunities to participate in Phase Two of the LRTP update.

The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) has begun a Rural EV Charging Infrastructure Study as part of its Rural Transportation Program. The study aims to assess and plan for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure needs in the region’s rural areas. According to Virginia EV Driving data, there are currently 865 EV-driving residents in the non-MPO, rural parts of the CSPDC Region. These drivers collectively travel an average of 25,000 miles on a typical weekday and studies indicate this number is likely to increase significantly over the next decade.

This study will help strategically plan for infrastructure development by identifying optimal locations for EV charging stations, assessing grid capacity, and developing implementation strategies tailored to the unique needs of the PDC’s rural areas. The study will also involve collaborating with Virginia Clean Cities, VDOT Office for Transportation Sustainability, and localities for gathering local data and perspectives.

The study is expected to conclude in March 2025, with regular updates provided to the Rural Transportation Technical Advisory Committee. For more information, please email Garreth Bartholomew, Transportation Planner (garreth@cspdc.org).

Elizabeth Goodloe joined the CSPDC as our newest Regional Planner on October 1. She recently transitioned to the PDC from Albemarle County where she did site plan review and drafted ordinances. Elizabeth previously worked as Planner for Augusta County working closely with Augusta County’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance and affiliated agencies to make land use recommendations for rezonings, evaluated request for solar projects, researched and drafted ordinance amendment to the zoning code.  Elizabeth did her undergraduate work at the University of Mary Washington in Historic Preservation with an emphasis in Planning. Elizabeth is originally from Staunton, VA and now resides in Churchville, VA. In her free time, she enjoys going to coffee shops, seeking out new hiking trails, and running through Staunton. She is looking forward to assisting the PDC and the region to create healthy environments and opportunities.

The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) is excited to announce the addition of Hardi Kamali as a Graduate Assistant. Hardi brings a wealth of experience and a unique skill set to his role at the CSPDC.

Currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) at James Madison University (JMU), Hardi has an impressive background in humanitarian work, particularly in post-conflict regions of the Middle East and Africa. His certifications and training in conflict resolution, emergency response, operational information management, and livelihood projects have equipped him with the tools to navigate complex challenges in global development and public policy. In addition to his humanitarian work, Hardi has experience as a political news correspondent, where he focused on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.

The CSPDC has hosted undergraduate and graduate interns in the past, but this is the first time partnering with JMU to serve as a host agency for a full-year assistantship. Through this partnership the student gets an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings while providing support to CSPDC staff on a variety of programs and projects. The collaboration between CSPDC and JMU strengthens ties between academia and local government, creating opportunities for mutual learning and community collaboration.

Hardi lives in Rockingham County with his wife and three children. Upon graduation, he hopes to use his MPA degree to engage local communities, address public issues, and develop effective solutions that enhance public policy and administration.

Please join us in welcoming Hardi to the CSPDC. We look forward to his contributions to the commission’s work in supporting the communities of the Central Shenandoah region.