Category Archives: News

Governor Northram Announces Support for I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan

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On January 8, 2019, Governor Ralph Northam issued a press release announcing the administration and a group of bi-partisan legislators’ support for the I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan, and a I-81 Improvement Fund that would raise $2.2 billion for improvements along the interstate corridor. Interstate tolls would raise revenues for the Improvement Fund. The proposal would establish limits on toll rates, and give automobiles and small trucks the ability to purchase an annual pass allowing unlimited use of I-81 for a fixed yearly fee. Revenues collected would only be used for improvements included in the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Plan that was adopted by the Commonwealth Transportation Board at its December meeting.

The CSDPC, HRMPO, and SAWMPO all passed resolutions of support for the Improvement Plan and a dedicated funding source for the critical improvements to I-81. The resolutions were sent to our full General Assembly delegation in December, 2018. The Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program legislation will be patroned by Senators Mark Obenshain and Bill Carrico in the Senate, and by Delegates Steve Landes and Terry Austin in the House.

Read the Full release here. The Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Plan can be found at www.va81corridor.org.

New Staff Members: Rachel Salatin & Zach Beard

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We are pleased to announce that on January 2, Rachel Salatin joined our staff as our new  Fields of Gold Agritourism Coordinator and Zach Beard as a Transportation Planner.

For the past three years, Rachel Salatin has been the Executive Director of the Beverley Street Studio School. Prior to that, she was the Membership Coordinator for the Artisan Center of Virginia. Rachel has extensive experience with branding, marketing, social media and websites, and planning and hosting events and conferences. Rachel grew up on a local family farm, Polyface Farm in Augusta County, and has a deep appreciation and understanding of the region’s rich agricultural landscape. She is looking forward to supporting our small businesses and inviting visitors to enjoy our diverse and unique agritourism destinations.

Zach Beard is a native of Rockingham County, and joins the CSPDC after working for the West Virginia University Land Use and Sustainable Development

Law Clinic in Morgantown, WV. Prior to that, Zach worked as a local foods coordinator for our partners at the Highland Center in Monterey. Zach holds a master’s of Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia, and recently received his American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification. Zach will help staff our urban and rural transportation planning programs.

Bath County Housing Plan Funded

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In December, Bath County was awarded a $20,000 Community Impact Grant from the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA). Funding will be used to procure a consultant to conduct a county-wide housing needs assessment and market analysis report. Bath County has identified housing as a priority for community development, including opportunities for rental housing and homeownership, and the goal is to enhance and expand opportunities for affordable, workforce housing in the County.

The County will be organizing a Project Team of stakeholders to oversee the project, and the CSPDC will provide grant administration and management services for the project.

CSPDC Submits Chesapeake Bay WIP III Final Report

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In December, the CSPDC submitted the final report to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for the Chesapeake Bay Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP III). The WIP III planning process began in July and involved many local stakeholders including representatives from localities, Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Virginia Departments of Health, Forestry, Transportation, Environmental Quality, and Conservation & Recreation, Virginia Wilderness Committee, Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, Valley Conservation Council, and the Community Alliance for Preservation, as well as CSPDC staff.

DEQ will be integrating all regional reports into one statewide WIP III report and submitting to the Environmental Protection Agency. Virginia’s WIP III will ensure pollution control measures needed to fully restore the Chesapeake Bay are in place no later than 2025.

For more information about the Chesapeake Bay Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan, please contact Regional Planner/GIS Coordinator, Hunter Moore: hunter@cspdc.org.

CSPDC Turns 50!

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This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC). In 1968, the Virginia State Legislature passed the Virginia Area Development Act which set forth the framework for the establishment of regional planning district commissions throughout the state, and on October 1, 1969, the CSPDC was organized.

The CSPDC is one of 21 planning districts in the state and includes the five counties of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockingham, and Rockbridge, the five cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton, and Waynesboro, and the 11 incorporated towns within.

The purpose of the Commission, as stated in the original Bylaws, is to assist the District’s localities in addressing local problems on a regional basis, as well as promoting economic and community development in the region in cooperation with Federal, State and local governments and organizations. That mission is the same today, and the 10 jurisdictions have greatly benefited from this cooperative effort for 50 years.

Throughout the year, we will highlight some of our past accomplishments that have positively impacted our localities, improved the quality of life for our citizens, and enhanced diversification of the local economy. The picture above was taken from the CSPDC’s 1971 Annual Report and includes from left to right Commission Chairman, Charles Phillips (Lexington); Commissioners Lyle Koogler (Rockbridge County), Roy Cleek (Bath County), C.N. Wine (Rockingham County), John Moyers (Highland County), and the first CSPDC Executive Director, Ed Parcha.

Virginia Breeze Adds New Weekend Service

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The Virginia Breeze has added additional weekend service to its route, allowing riders to make a weekend trip to Washington, D.C. and get back home in time for Monday classes and work. The bus makes nine stops along I-81 and I-66 from Blacksburg to Union Station in D.C. Updated brochures listing the full schedule of stops are being developed and will be available in the coming weeks. Three stops in the CSPDC region include Lexington, Staunton, and Harrisonburg.

Bike Safety Guides Available

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The 6th edition of the Share VA Roads bicycle safety guide is now available in print and by download. The guides are produced through a partnership between the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and state and local agencies. The guides offer a set of safety procedures and traffic regulations for all users of the State’s roads. CSPDC has ordered guides in English and Spanish and will share them at events and based on requests from our member jurisdictions.

CSPDC Launches Rebranded Website for Bike the Valley Program

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STAUNTON (November 29, 2018) — Shenandoah Valley visitors and residents have a refreshed resource for exploring cycling opportunities in the region, thanks to the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) and a grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation.  BiketheValley.org went live earlier this month, offering expanded options for on-road, gravel, mountain biking, and family-friendly, paved-trail cycling. Developed with input from local cyclists, the site features information on bike-friendly lodging, bike shops, local events and rides, as well as interactive maps that can be downloaded to GPS devices.

Bike the Valley is a CSPDC program that helps promote bicycling for exercise, recreation, and as a means of transportation, as well as the Shenandoah Valley as a bicycling destination. The addition of this updated, mobile-responsive website provides bicyclists of all skill levels access to current information on classic rides of varied length and difficulty throughout a five-county region.

The Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Marketing Leverage Program provided partial funding for the new site. An expanded Facebook presence and interface with Ride with GPS will accompany the site launch.

For more information about the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee please visit the www.bikethevalley.org or call the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission at 540-885-5174.

BRITE Bus Offers Free Rides on Election Day

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Many polling places in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County served.  

BRITE Bus is offering free rides on Election Day – November 6th.  BRITE Bus routes serve many of the polling places in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County.

BRITE is the public transit system that serves the City of Staunton, City of Waynesboro and parts of Augusta County including Stuarts Draft with stops at Augusta Health, Wilson Workforce Rehabilitation Center, and Blue Ridge Community College.

For more information on BRITE Bus routes and times, visit www.britebus.org  or connect on Facebook.