Category Archives: News

Spotlight: 2020 Census

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The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how $675 billion dollars in federal funding flows into communities every year for the next decade. For every person who does not take the Census in Virginia, $2,000 a year for 10 years is not distributed to our local communities.

This year it is easier than ever to complete the Census because for the first time, it can be completed online, in addition to by phone and by mail. By April 1, 2020, every home will receive an invitation to participate.

GO Virginia Region 8 Approves 3 Projects

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On January 28 the GO Virginia Region 8 Council moved forward three projects to the State GO Virginia Board for final funding approval. Among the three, was the Agricultural Enterprise Center Feasibility Study submitted by the CSPDC. GO Virginia funding will match a USDA Local Food Promotion Program grant awarded to the CSPDC in December to analyze opportunities for an agricultural facility offering access to a commercial testing kitchen, packaging, and distribution facilities. This project has the potential to assist small to mid-size farms expand their product lines and market reach.
The other two projects approved by the GO Virginia Region 8 Council included an Economic Gardening project submitted by the Shenandoah Valley Partnership and an Industrial Hemp research project submitted by James Madison University. The GO Virginia Region 8 Council’s next meeting is scheduled for May 5 at Shenandoah University in Winchester.
GO Virginia supports programs to create more high-paying jobs through incentivized collaboration between business, education, and government to diversify and strengthen the economy in every region of the Commonwealth. The program is administered through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The CSPDC is one of the support organizations for GO Virginia Region 8.

HOME Funds Awarded

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The Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program (HOME) in the Central Shenandoah Valley region received funding to assist approximately eight first-time, low- to moderate-income homebuyers in 2020. The CSPDC partners with lenders and housing providers in the area to identify eligible home-buyers.
HOME is a flexible gap financing program that provides eligible homebuyers with down-payment and/or closing cost assistance in the form of a forgivable loan. Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Created to help eligible homebuyers obtain decent, safe, and affordable housing, this program has helped approximately 250 people in our region grow their personal wealth and equity through homeownership.

Afton Express Moves Forward

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The CSPDC has applied for funds under the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT’s) Demonstration grant program to fund a commuter bus system, the Afton Express, connecting the Shenandoah Valley with Charlottesville. A recently completed study and service plan proposes a Monday-Friday schedule with four trips in the am and four trips in the pm. Stops will originate at park and ride lots in Staunton, Fishersville, Waynesboro and multiple stops in Charlottesville and Albemarle County including UVA, UVA Medical Center, Downtown Charlottesville and 5th Street Station (Wegman’s). The proposed fare will be $3 one way. If funded, the proposed system would be launched in early 2021. Partners include Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta County, Albemarle County, Charlottesville and UVA.

2019 Population Estimates Released

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The University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center released the 2019 population estimates for Virginia and its counties and independent cities at the end of January. These numbers are used by state and local government agencies in funding allocations and planning and budgeting. Since the 2010 Census, the CSPDC’s population has grown by over 15,000 people or 5.4%. Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg experienced the greatest growth during 2010-2019. Their populations increased 7.7% and 10.4%, respectively, to add nearly 11,000 people to our CSPDC region. Virginia’s population increased by 6.7% during the same time period.
The population estimates, including components of change, are available on the Weldon Cooper Center website. You can also find population information on the CSPDC’s Regional Data Center.

CSPDC Receives Broadband Grant for Rockbridge and Bath Counties

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CSPDC was among 12 applicants across the state awarded grant funds through the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) program. The $2.2M grant submitted by the CSPDC on behalf of Rockbridge and Bath counties and in conjunction with BARC Electric Cooperative will help bridge the digital divide and expand broadband infrastructure in the unserved areas of Rockbridge and Bath counties. With over $15M in BARC funds leveraged, the project will deploy a total of 314 miles of gigabit last mile fiber infrastructure that is expected to serve an estimated 1,100 businesses and residences in the two counties. The CSPDC is providing grant assistance and administrative support for the project.

Public Notice of Bath-Highland Network Authority Meeting

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On February 3, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., the Bath-Highland Network Authority will hold a meeting at the Highland Center at 61 Highland Center Drive Monterey, Virginia 24465 . For more information about the meeting, please contact Ms. Hunter Moore at 540-885-5174 or hunter@cspdc.org.

 

Bonnie Riedesel & Nancy Gourley Recognized at Commission Meeting

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Executive Director Bonnie Riedesel was recognized for her 25 years of service with the CSPDC during the December 2019 Commission Meeting. She started her tenure in 1994 as a regional planner and has served as Executive Director since 2008.
Nancy Gourley was also recognized for her six years of outstanding leadership of the BRITE Bus transit system. She will be retiring from her role as Transit Manager in January 2020.

VAPDC Winter Conference: February 6-7, 2020

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The Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC), Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) and Virginia Municipal League (VML) will join forces again this year for their annual Winter Conference in Richmond on February 6-7, 2020. Participants will attend the 2020 General Assembly session on County Government Day and will hear from Governor Ralph Northam regarding his legislative agenda and how it will strengthen Virginia’s communities. Sonya Waddell, Vice President and Economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond will also present on state and local economic perspectives. Registration for the conference is now open.

Rails to Trail Forms Committee

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A group of elected leaders, local government staff, non-profits, trail advocates, and PDC staff met on November 7, 2019 in the Town of Mt. Jackson to convene the Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail Exploratory Partnership. The Rail Trail is proposed to run for 38 miles connecting eight towns and two counties between the Town of Strasburg in northern Shenandoah County to Broadway in northwestern Rockingham County.
At the meeting, a set of bylaws was approved, Mr. Brandon Davis, NSVRC Executive Director and Ms. Bonnie Riedesel, CSPDC Executive Director were elected chair and vice-chair respectively and Mr. Don Hindman was appointed as the Program Director of the Partnership. The Partnership will reconvene in early 2020 to develop a scope of work for a rail trail feasibility study and master plan, and to begin work with Ursula Lemanski, who will provide technical assistance and project coordination to the Partnership through the National Park Service via a Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. Visit the Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail website for more information.