This winter, the CSPDC completed the Central Shenandoah Regional Wildfire Protection Plan (CSRWPP) to analyzes wildfire risk and offer mitigation strategies for structures in woodland areas. The CSPDC region has many forested and wildland areas including national forests and a national park that put woodland communities at a higher risk for wildfire. Representatives from federal and state agencies, wildfire professionals, local government staff, and citizens helped to develop the plan that was funded through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant. The CSRWPP is available to the public on the CSPDC website.

In February, the CSPDC in cooperation with the University of Virginia and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission conducted a public survey to ascertain the demand for a collective workspace in the Fishersville area. Out of 359 survey respondents, 72% stated that their employment has shifted entirely or partially to telework and 61% indicated that they anticipate continuing to telework in the future and utilizing a shared workspace between one and four days per week. The desired amenities for a shared workspace include privacy, security, and enhanced technology and cleaning services. Most respondents were located in Waynesboro (40%) followed by Stuarts Draft and Fishersville (18%) and Staunton (16%). The steering committee will reconvene in March to discuss the survey results and determine the next steps of development.

The CSPDC is pleased to announce that Patricia Lancey has been hired as CSPDC’s Fiscal Technician. Pat acquired her Associate in Applied Science in Accounting degree from Piedmont Community College. She has more than 20 years of progressive accounting and management experience in public and private sectors. Pat resides in Stuarts Draft with her husband Scott and two cats.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is conducting a feasibility study on the development of a state or regional park in Highland County. On January 26, CSPDC staff and stakeholders from DCR, Virginia Outdoors Foundation and Friends of Highland State Park toured the potential park site on Hayfields Farm in McDowell. Located in a valley between Bullpasture and Jack Mountain, the Hayfields property is 1,034 acres and features the Bullpasture river, scenic views, and a historic farm house, barn and log cabin. The feasibility study will determine the property’s suitability for state or regional park development and provide a recommendation to the Virginia House and Senate in October. Beginning this month, DCR will host a series of public sessions to share information regarding the project.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) shared a preliminary list of transportation projects recommended for funding through the SMART SCALE program with the Commonwealth Transportation Board last month. The CSPDC, HRMPO, SAWMPO, and our member jurisdictions were very successful this round, with 16 projects recommended for funding out of 21 applications submitted. Projects are multi-modal in scope and include park and ride lot improvements, transit stops, shared use paths, roadway safety enhancements and interstate access.

CSPDC staff continues to participate in Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) I-81 Truck Parking Task Force that is working to expand public and private truck parking facilities along I-81. The Task Force, formed in August 2020, is the result of a recommendation from the I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan and is comprised of representatives from VDOT, DMV, private travel center owners, economic development authorities, trucking associations, and local and regional government and planning agencies. In 2021 the Task Force will focus on identifying ways to improve existing facilities and establish potential new facility locations. Contact Zach Beard at the CSPDC to provide input or receive additional information.

In 2018, with the support of GO Virginia funds and the cities of Waynesboro and Harrisonburg, Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) developed a non-credit cyber security workforce development program to help establish high-wage, high demand cyber security jobs in the region. Since the start of the program, five cohorts, totaling 69 students, have participated in cyber security credentialling classes and on-the-job training with private industry partners. To date, 36 students have been hired in the cyber security industry with 86% staying in the region.  The average starting annual salary of those completing BRCC’s program was $49,500.  GO Virginia supported the cost of instructors and class materials as BRCC established this very popular program which received 335 applications for enrollment.  Because of the program’s success, Blue Ridge Community College will continue to offer the program through Virginia’s FastForward program.