Category Archives: News

Afton Express and UVA Recognized for Sustainability and Transit Partnership

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This spring, the Afton Express and its partner, the University of Virginia (UVA), received two awards recognizing the route’s environmental impact and the strength of the regional partnership behind it.

On May 1, UVA honored the Afton Express at its annual Sustainability Leadership Awards luncheon. Paula Melester, Devon Thompson, and Danielle Gannon received the award on behalf of BRITE Transit and CSPDC alongside Kendall Howell and Patrick Clark of UVA Parking and Transportation.

The award recognizes the Afton Express and Wahoo Commute partnership, under which  UVA faculty, staff and students ride free, which supported 23,725 passenger trips in 2025. Those passenger trips eliminated an estimated 733,103 vehicle miles traveled and 260 metric tons of tailpipe emissions as compared to people driving alone, and the average rider saved approximately $5,500 in commuting costs including gas, vehicle wear and tear, and parking.

On May 20, the Virginia Transit Association (VTA) presented UVA’s Department of Parking and Transportation with its Outstanding Contribution by a Partner Award at the 2026 Annual Conference for its sustained role in advancing the Afton Express. The award, selected from nearly three dozen submissions by transit colleagues across the Commonwealth, cited UVA’s sustained financial investment, technical engagement during the recent service procurement process, and its Wahoo Commute incentive program, which rewards employees who choose transit and other alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles. In 2025, the Afton Express recorded nearly 24,000 total passenger boardings, with approximately 80 percent of riders affiliated with UVA, generating an estimated $872,751 in avoided commuting costs for UVA riders.

CSPDC and UVA will continue working together to grow ridership, strengthen service, and expand sustainable commuting options for travelers between Augusta County, Waynesboro, and Charlottesville.

 

Watershed Wellness Stormwater Projects Complete in Lexington and Staunton

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Two area nonprofit organizations recently completed projects under the CSPDC Watershed Wellness Program. Watershed Wellness provides 100% no-match funding for the planning, design, and implementation of nature-based stormwater projects that address water quality and flooding, supported by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Boxerwood Education Foundation in Lexington installed a rainwater catchment system on its 1,200 square foot barn to support education and garden programs at its 15-acre facility. The system includes gutters and collection infrastructure to harvest approximately 28,000 gallons annually, addressing rainwater saturation that has caused soil erosion and structural damage around the barn. The collected rainwater will irrigate plantings in areas without water access.

Shenandoah Green worked with the Staunton Augusta YMCA (SAYMCA)00to improve a 0.35-mile segment of Lewis Creek at SAYMCA’s new facility on New Hope Road in Staunton. The improvements included planting 180 native riparian trees and vegetation along the stream. Shenandoah Green worked with a landscape engineer to design the site to improve its ecological function and make the stream publicly accessible.

The two-year program will award nearly $100,000 for stormwater planning and implementation projects across the region and  is accepting applications on a rolling basis until funds are expended. Learn more at: https://www.cspdc.org/programs-services/wip-iii/

Waynesboro’s Fairfax Hall Reopens, Preserving History While Expanding Affordable Housing

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On April 30, the Waynesboro Redevelopment and Housing Authority hosted a Grand Reopening to mark the completion of a $15 million rehabilitation at the historic Fairfax Hall in Waynesboro, a project that pairs historic preservation with expanded affordable housing for senior residents.

Developed by the South River Development Corporation (SRDC), the nonprofit affiliate of the Waynesboro Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the project modernized the nationally-listed historic building while expanding accessibility for residents. Originally constructed in 1890 as the Brandon Hotel, the building has served many purposes, including as a girls’ junior college and later a training center, before being converted to affordable housing for seniors after a 2001 renovation.

The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission played a key role, contributing $200,000 through the Planning District Commission (PDC) Housing Development Grant to fund two accessible and affordable housing units inside the historic structure — units that were completed in FY24.

Today, Fairfax Hall demonstrates how historic preservation and affordable housing can work together — keeping a piece of the region’s architectural heritage in active use while adding accessible homes for seniors who need them. The CSPDC looks forward to supporting similar projects across the region as additional PDC Housing Development Grant funds from Virginia Housing become available.

CSPDC Staff Present at VTA Annual Conference & Bus Expo

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Director of Transportation Paula Melester and JMU Graduate Assistant Kayla Dixon presented “Stories That Move People: Building Transit’s Case in the Community” at the Virginia Transit Association (VTA) Annual Conference on May 19–20. The session outlined BRITE Transit’s research-backed, story-centered outreach campaign built around three pillars — information, relevance, and compelling stories — and featured CSPDC’s Value of Transit video. CSPDC’s Value of Transit campaign uses the stories of riders, employers and local officials to demonstrate the return on investment in the BRITE system.

With a transit marketing grant through the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), in the coming fiscal year we will design and implement a multimedia campaign to promote BRITE Transit and expand the Value of Transit project. The campaign will include marketing toolkits for our regional partners tailored to their needs, television and radio ads, and digital content to meet BRITE’s goal of increasing access and growing ridership on the system.

NADO Films CSPDC for Nationwide “EDDs in Action” Video Series

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The CSPDC welcomed a film crew from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) to the Shenandoah Valley on May 26–27. The visit was part of NADO’s EDDs in Action video series, which highlights the work of Economic Development Districts (EDDs) across the country. Over the two days, NADO’s team filmed on location and sat down with local partners to capture the stories behind three projects that illustrate the CSPDC’s role in connecting the region to federal and state resources.

At Shenandoah Valley Airport (SHD), cameras rolled on the Aviation Technology Park, where a $2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant helped construct two hangars now fully occupied by private companies. Blue Ridge Community College’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program, which currently operates at the airport, was featured for training students directly alongside the companies that hire them.

In downtown Buena Vista, the crew visited The Advancement Foundation’s Virginia Innovation Accelerator, a former manufacturing facility converted into an entrepreneurship and innovation hub. With more than $2.35 million in grant assistance from CSPDC, the center now houses a diverse mix of startups, from agricultural drone production to indoor mushroom farming, and recently opened a storefront selling goods made by its entrepreneurs.

The final stop was the Shenandoah Valley Center for Advanced Learning (SVCAL), where the GO2Work program, supported by a GO Virginia grant, trained 589 students and awarded 550 professional credentials over two years. Students work on projects ranging from precision welding and machining to building a functioning airplane, providing the kind of hands-on experience that supports the region’s growing technical workforce pipeline.

Interviews featured project leads, business owners, and educators who spoke to what these investments mean for the community. The finished video will be shared through NADO’s national network, putting the Shenandoah Valley’s economic development work in front of audiences across the country. Stay tuned for the release! CSPDC will share the video through our channels once NADO releases it later this year.

 

Danielle Gannon Graduates from Virginia Transit Leadership Institute

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We are proud to share that Danielle Gannon, Transit Planner at CSPDC, has graduated from the Virginia Transit Association’s (VTA) Virginia Transit Leadership Institute (VTLI). The graduation ceremony was held during the VTA Annual Conference and Expo in Fredericksburg on May 19–20, 2026.

In August 2025, Danielle was selected to participate in the third cohort of VTLI, a nine-month intensive program designed to develop the next generation of transit leaders. Over the course of the program, Danielle joined peers from across Virginia’s transit providers for five immersive full-day sessions covering a broad range of transit-related topics. From legislation to funding to leadership development, service planning, and community outreach, the program offered a comprehensive, statewide perspective on public transportation.

The knowledge, professional connections, and leadership skills Danielle has gained through VTLI will directly benefit BRITE Transit and Afton Express operations, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of her work in transit planning and commuter assistance in our region. Please join us in congratulating Danielle on this well-deserved milestone.

VAPDC Hosts First Funding and Financing Workshop in Staunton

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On May 13, the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC) kicked off a series of four “Finding Funding for the Future” workshops across the state. VAPDC designed these day-long events for local and regional government staff to learn from State agency partners and their peers about securing grant funding and financing programs for community development projects.

CSPDC was the host region for the first workshop in Staunton. Focused on projects in the Shenandoah Valley, Roanoke and Charlottesville, the workshop featured presentations by regional airport executives in a session titled “Innovative Funding and Real-World Aviation Case Studies.” Shawn Crumlish with the Virginia Resources Authority gave a keynote presentation on the housing, drinking water, and resiliency programs they back with State funding through various loan programs. An expert panel of housing advocates titled “Making Affordable Housing Profitable – Innovative Capital Stacks” rounded out the day demonstrating funding strategies for housing projects including adaptive reuse/mixed use, faith-based building conversions, workforce housing, and rural affordable housing.

The next workshop takes place June 17 in Wytheville, followed by Fredericksburg on July 15th and Farmville on August 12th. For more information and to register for the sessions visit 2026 VAPDC Super Regional Workshops.

Philippe Bone Selected for Virginia Rural Leadership Institute

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We’re proud to share that Philippe Bone has been selected as a 2026 participant in the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI) — a competitive statewide program that develops the next generation of leaders committed to strengthening rural communities across the Commonwealth.

Administered by the Center for Rural Virginia, VRLI brings together emerging leaders from across the state for four immersive sessions held in different regions of Virginia. Fellows gain firsthand exposure to the challenges and opportunities shaping rural communities, and build lasting relationships with peers, mentors, and local stakeholders along the way.

A hallmark of the VRLI experience is the Community Impact Project — a capstone each participant develops to create tangible benefit for their community and organization.  Philippe’s project will focus on one of the most pressing needs facing rural Virginia: affordable housing. He will explore the feasibility of developing an innovative revolving loan fund that would support affordable housing development through tax increment financing. If realized, this fund could become a powerful resource for expanding housing access and affordability in our region.

Philippe’s selection reflects his dedication to CSPDC’s mission and commitment to innovative approaches to community development. We look forward to supporting him throughout the program and sharing updates as the capstone project takes shape.

We look forward to supporting Philippe throughout the program and sharing updates as his capstone takes shape. Please join us in congratulating him on this well-deserved recognition.

Goshen Honors CSPDC Planning Director with Keys to the Town

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There’s no higher local honor than the keys to a town — and this month, Goshen Mayor Tom McCraw and Vice Mayor Steve Bickley made the trip to our offices to deliver theirs in person. During what Jeremy Crute expected to be a routine Monday morning staff meeting, the two officials presented our Director of Planning with the keys to Goshen and a Certificate of Appreciation, recognizing his sustained work in support of the town’s growth and resilience.

Jeremy came to CSPDC after six years at Florida State University’s Barnebey Planning & Development Lab, drawn in part by deep family roots in the Shenandoah Valley. He quickly became a go-to resource for localities seeking planning assistance and competitive grant support — and Goshen became one of the clearest examples of what that partnership can produce. Working closely with town leadership, Jeremy helped secure multiple rounds of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, making possible a new Community Services Center that will expand access to food pantry services and health and wellness programming for residents across the town and Rockbridge County.

More recently, he secured a Community-Oriented Resilient Energy (CORE) grant from the Virginia Department of Energy, bringing Goshen its first backup power system for critical public facilities during emergencies.

The recognition reflects something we see in Jeremy’s work every day: technical skill paired with genuine investment in the communities he serves. For a small town with limited resources, that combination can be transformative — and Goshen’s story is becoming proof of it.

Afton Express Sees Ridership Surge

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The Afton Express recorded a 38% increase in ridership this February compared to February 2025, a milestone for BRITE Transit’s commuter route connecting the Central Shenandoah Valley to Charlottesville and Albemarle County.

The increase follows a marketing campaign that launched in fall 2025 and runs through the end of June, 2026. The Virginia  Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) provided grant funds for the campaign which  includes television and streaming commercials, interviews, and digital display advertising. Staff also engaged a professional photographer and a graphic designer to develop polished, consistent promotional materials for the route.

Afton Express also implemented a new schedule on December 1, 2025 to better align departure and arrival times with employer schedules and rider requests — another driver of the ridership surge. For more information on Afton Express, see our 2025 Annual Report.