The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) is seeking public comment on the draft Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The CEDS document is an economic development tool designed to leverage assets from across the Central Shenandoah Region to bolster the regional economy. The CEDS will prepare the CSPDC to pursue future funding opportunities with the Economic Development Administration and act as a roadmap for future economic development endeavors across the region.

The document, as well as the mandatory criteria used in the creation of the document, is available for review here or at the CSPDC Office, 112 MacTanly Place; Staunton, VA 24401. Comments may be submitted to the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission at elizabeth@cspdc.org or the above address.  Comments will be accepted from September 12-October 12, 2018.  The CEDS Committee will consider adoption of the CEDS document during the CSPDC meeting on October 15, 2018, at the CSPDC Office.

The GO Virginia Region 8 Council is pleased to announce that it is accepting proposals for projects to be funded through the State’s GO Virginia initiative.  The Region 8 Council has approximately $1.6 million in GO Virginia funds to award to projects in the region.  The upcoming application deadline is October 5, 2018, for per capita and enhanced capacity building proposals.

For a project to be considered by the Region 8 Council complete the application available on the Shenandoah Valley Partnership’s website at: https://theshenandoahvalley.com/govirginia/  Also at that link is an application guide that offers background information on GO Virginia and the Region 8 Council, provides the criteria for eligible projects, and outlines the application and award process.

The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is sponsoring a free showing and discussion of the film “We Heard the Bells: The Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918,” on Tuesday, August 14th, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Blue Ridge Community College, Plecker Center Auditorium (P104).

“We Heard the Bells,” narrated by actress S. Epatha Merkerson (Law & Order), explores the experiences of a diverse group of Americans during the influenza pandemic of 1918. Their memories frame the key questions that still drive the search for answers to help us weather future flu pandemics. Nancy Sorrells, local historian, will give a sneak peek from her upcoming presentation for the Augusta County Historical Society about how the 1918 pandemic affected us locally following the film.

Coordinated by the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC), CERT trains citizens to protect themselves, family, and neighbors from disasters and emergencies. Begun in 2003, the seven-week regional course has trained more than 500 people with a standard curriculum designed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Training topics include disaster preparedness, fire safety, emergency medical operations, and terrorism awareness.  Once the basic training course is completed, CERT members have the opportunity to take advanced training courses that are offered several times a year, as well as volunteer in their communities.

To date, there are over 100 active volunteers in the Central Shenandoah Valley CERT program.  CERT volunteers have staffed emergency shelters, set-up a temporary pet shelter, and manned disaster preparedness informational booths at countless community events.  Dedicated CERT volunteers have spent an entire decade donating their time to making the Central Shenandoah Valley disaster resistant.

For additional information contact Rebecca Joyce at the CSPDC, at 540-885-5174 or rebecca@cspdc.org.