Category Archives: News

Update on Regional Housing Study

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In September, the CSPDC and Virginia Center for Housing Research (VCHR) concluded several months of focus groups and interviews with realtors, lenders, service providers, developers, universities, and employers for the Regional Housing Study. The focus groups were held in Buena Vista, Fishersville, Monterey, and through several virtual sessions. On October 26th, the CSPDC and VCHR convened the Regional Housing Study’s Leadership Team for their second meeting to discuss the findings of the focus groups and determine next steps for data analysis. The housing study scope allows for more detailed data analysis of up to five subtopics, to be selected by the CSPDC in partnership with the leadership team. At the meeting, the group worked collaboratively to select the five subtopics based on the focus group and interview feedback.

The five subtopics for additional data analysis will be:

  • Impact of universities and student population
  • Seniors
  • Vulnerable populations (homelessness, substance use disorder, etc.)
  • Naturally occurring affordable housing
  • Living arrangements (overcrowding, multigenerational housing, etc.)

Over the next several months, VCHR and the CSPDC will continue data analysis – the most recent American Community Survey data is expected to be released in December, and all data will be refreshed to reflect the most recent demographic trends. Additionally, the study team will begin drafting local data profiles for the Interim Data Report, which is expected to be completed in Spring 2023.

Highland County Recreation Commission Kicks off Outdoor Recreation Strategic Plan

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The Highland County Recreation Commission (HCRC) received a technical assistance grant through the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program to develop an outdoor recreation strategic plan for Highland County and the HCRC. The Strategic Plan will identify how the HCRC and its partners can enhance outdoor recreation facilities, develop new recreation opportunities, improve community health, and cultivate a community culture that values physical activity and the environment in Highland County.

The year-long strategic planning process kicked off on October 24th as National Park Service Staff met with stakeholders and visited recreation sites around Highland County. The resulting deliverable will be a 5-year plan the HCRC, the County, and partner organizations can follow to successfully 1) expand outdoor rec facilities in the Town of Monterey, 2) develop outdoor recreation opportunities in the surrounding county, and 3) grow outdoor recreation programs and events that promote community wellness and ecotourism. The CSPDC is providing grant writing services and grant administrative support.

Olivia Raines Presents at Governor’s Housing Conference

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This November, CSPDC’s Housing Program Manager Olivia Raines, was invited to present at the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference (VAGHC) in Arlington, VA. The conference was held November 16 – 18, and the theme was ‘Build, Expand, Achieve,’ with an emphasis on linking affordable housing to economic development goals.

Olivia Raines, Housing Program Manager at the CSPDC, presented twice at the VAGHC. The first presentation, “Delivering Affordable Housing through Regionalism,” was centered around the $2 million PDC Housing Development Program Grant, which provides gap funds to developers in the region toward the completion of new units of affordable housing. Olivia shared how the funds have been used both toward the development of 60 new units of housing in the region and to further other regional housing initiatives, such as the Regional Housing Study.

Olivia also presented with Virginia Main Street at a session called “Remote Worker Recruitment for Rural Communities,” focused on Virginia Main Street’s Remote Work Pilot Program. The program provides technical assistance to localities that want to develop strategies around remote worker attraction and management. Of the 5 localities that received assistance across the state, 3 are located in the Central Shenandoah Region; Highland County, Buena Vista, and Harrisonburg. The presentation discussed how each localities remote work goals relate to housing needs.

Virginia Completes Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Plan

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Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is assisting with investing a projected $100 million over the next five years to install public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Virginia through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program, which is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIL). VDOT recently completed the Virginia Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan to begin the first phase of installation occurring along interstates designated “Alternative Fuel Corridors,” which includes I-81 and I-64.

Localities will be able to apply for EV charging and fueling infrastructure funding through a related discretionary BIL program in 2023. The CSPDC will share program information with our local planning partners once it is available.

SAWMPO Study Evaluating Safety Improvements at Six Intersections

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The SAWMPO is beginning a new study to address priority safety concerns at six intersections in Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro. The study will evaluate safety improvements based on crash history, current and future traffic volume, roadway design, and other site characteristics to identify candidate projects for future grant applications through programs such as SMARTSCALE, TAP, Revenue Sharing, and the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The consultant-led study is expected to be complete in Spring 2023.

Go Virginia Region 8 Council to Consider Airport Proposal

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The GO Virginia Region 8 Council will meet at Blue Ridge Community College on October 18 to consider a funding request from the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission for the continued development of the Shenandoah Valley Aviation Technology Park. The Airport Commission includes representatives from the counties of Augusta and Rockingham and the cities of Staunton, Waynesboro, and Harrisonburg. The proposed GO Virginia project will relocate utilities from the middle of the 58-acre site to its perimeter. This will create the opportunity to construct additional hangars to meet the distinctive needs of aviation-related businesses. The utility relocation project directly follows a design and engineering phase that was supported by a GO Virginia Enhanced Capacity Building grant and a hangar construction project, currently underway, that is supported by an Economic Development Administration Public Works grant. The CSPDC provided technical assistance and grant administration services for these projects.

CSPDC Holds Staff Retreat

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The CSPDC held its annual staff retreat at Montgomery Hall Park in Staunton for a group picture painting session with art instructor, Noelia Nunez. As part of the staff retreat, a webinar on cyber security in the workplace will be held later in the month.

Mountain Gateway Project Awarded EDA Grant

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The development of Mountain Gateway Community College’s (MGCC) Workforce and Entrepreneurial Center just got a boost from a $3 million grant through the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Assistance to Coal Communities initiative. Funding will be used to renovate an existing building in downtown Buena Vista as a manufacturing training center and entrepreneurial innovation laboratory. The project will expand the college’s capacity to deliver training and award industry credentials to meet local employers’ workforce needs in the areas of advanced manufacturing, machining, welding, HVAC, and diesel mechanics. The facility also will serve as an innovation lab where entrepreneurs can exchange ideas and collaborate as they start or grow businesses. As a designated EDA Economic Development District, the CSPDC provided technical assistance for MGCC’s application.

Bath County Hires New County Administrator

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Following a nationwide search, Bath County’s Board of Supervisors has named Michael Bender as the County Administrator. A native of Chesterfield, Virginia, Mr. Bender has over 28 years of experience in public service. He most recently served as a Division Commander for the Richmond, Virginia Police Department.

As the County Administrator, Mr. Bender will manage and coordinate the overall day-to-day operations and activities of the County government. He will relieve Janet Bryan who has diligently served as the Interim County Administrator since the departure of Ashton Harrison earlier this year. Ms. Bryan will return to her role as the Executive Assistant/Deputy Clerk to the Board.

Mr. Bender holds a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, and a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

Update on PDC Housing Development Grant

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The PDC Housing Development Grant, which provides gap funds to affordable housing developers in our region, is well underway with seven partners across the region working toward the development of 60 new housing units.

Several projects, including Valley Supportive Housing’s Pump Street Apartments, Friendly City Development, LLC’s Suter Street Neighborhood Development, and Foley 11 LLC’s Foley Road Efficiencies Project, are in the process of completing engineering & design work and are awaiting permitting before breaking ground.

The Fairfax Hall Rehabilitation Project in Waynesboro received a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) award in early Fall which will finance a significant portion of the project, and is completing final project financing, planning, and design specifications. They plan to begin work in 2023.

Our Community Place’s Block House Apartments project has begun initial demolition and building rehabilitation work, and initial interior construction activities are underway.

Rockbridge Habitat for Humanity’s Greenhouse Village Project has completed water and sewer connections and has begun initial site work on two of the eight home sites. On October 4th, CSPDC staff made a site visit to check out the future home sites for the final phase of the Greenhouse Village project, and had a chance to walk through a recently completed Habitat home.

All projects are expected to be completed by June 30, 2024.