Category Archives: News

Fields of Gold Hires New Agritourism Coordinator

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Meet Spencer Eavers, our new Agritourism Coordinator for the Fields of Gold program. She grew up in the Valley and is excited for the opportunity to support the growth of the region’s agritourism businesses. She currently resides in Staunton with her husband and three young children, who all enjoy experiencing new adventures and regularly take advantage of the Fields of Gold Farm Trail’s great destinations, from the local farmers’ market, to the many family-friendly events.
Spencer has a background in marketing and event and program coordination, with a passion for local, sustainable, community development.  She looks forward to serving our members and helping them realize their aspirations.  Contact her at spencer@cspdc.org or 540-885-5174.
View the latest opportunities for agritourism businesses in the Fall 2017 Fence Talk.

GO Virginia Region 8 Completes Growth and Diversification Plan

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A regional Economic Growth and Diversification Plan prepared by the GO Virginia Region 8 Council has received final approval from the GO Virginia State Board. The Region 8 Council’s plan identifies five target industry sectors in the Shenandoah Valley where job growth is anticipated in the next five years. These jobs are expected to have an average wage of $41,000 or higher. The target industries include financial and business services, healthcare, light manufacturing, information technology/communications, and transportation and logistics.

The Region 8 Economic Growth and Diversification Plan identifies economic opportunities, needs, and challenges, establishes priorities, and outlines support necessary for multi-locality collaborative projects to potentially be funded under GO Virginia. The plan also recommends strategies for addressing workforce recruitment and training in target industry sectors. In addition to defining the five anticipated growth industries, Region 8 Council’s plan also includes a set of broadly-defined framework initiatives intended to recruit/retain necessary talent, grow existing businesses, establish start-ups, and support joint economic development activities such as site development and workforce training.

George Pace, Chair of the Go Virginia Region 8 Council, said: “The Plan we have developed will provide the framework for prioritizing projects for GO Virginia funding. Our goal is to create more job opportunities that pay over $41,000 through incentivized collaboration between public and private organizations throughout Region 8.”

GO Virginia Region 8 covers a large area from Winchester to Lexington, and includes ten counties and six cities in the Shenandoah Valley, with a combined population of 525,000. The 28-member council that oversees the GO Virginia program is made up of representatives from small and large business, higher and k-12 education, elected officials, and economic and workforce development organizations.
Approximately $1M in implementation funding will be made available to the region for projects that align with the approved Region 8 Council’s Economic Growth and Diversification Plan. Projects must be collaborative, involving two or more localities and private sector partners, and be focused on growing and diversifying the region’s economy to complement existing industry clusters as outlined in the Council’s plan.

For more information on GO Virginia, visit online at Shenandoah Valley Partnership or Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

About GO Virginia: The Virginia Initiative for Growth and Opportunity (GO Virginia) is a voluntary, business-led, bipartisan initiative that was formed to foster private-sector growth and diversification across nine economic development regions in the Commonwealth of Virginia. State financial incentives designated for regional projects that encourage collaboration between private sector companies, workforce, education, and government are administered by the Virginia Growth and Opportunity Board.

2017 Try Transit Week Set for September 18-22

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Try Transit Week, an educational event designed to encourage Virginians to reduce their use of single-occupancy vehicles and try a form of public transportation, will be celebrated in Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro with a Free Ride Day on all BRITE Bus Transit routes on Wednesday, September 20, 2017. Riders can catch any of the following BRITE Bus routes free of charge that day.

East & West 250 Connector – connects to the Staunton trolleys, the Waynesboro Circulator, the Stuarts Draft Link and the Blue Ridge Community College Shuttle, and provides service between the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro in the Rt. 250 corridor, with stops including Augusta Health and the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center Campus.

Stuarts Draft Link – provides service within Stuarts Draft, and connections with Fishersville and Waynesboro. Stops include apartment complexes, Augusta Health facilities, and employment centers.

Blue Ridge Community College Shuttle – the Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) Shuttle offers two routes. The BRCC South Shuttle provides service between Staunton and the BRCC Campus in Weyers Cave. A BRCC North Shuttle provides service from the campus to Harrisonburg through Bridgewater, Dayton and Mt. Crawford.

Waynesboro Circulator – travels within the city limits of Waynesboro, providing connections to employment centers, retail, and medical facilities.

Staunton North & West Loops and Downtown Trolley – The Downtown Trolley serves historic downtown Staunton destinations; the North and West Loops serve outlying neighborhoods and medical and retail destinations; the Saturday Night Trolley operates Saturday evenings providing connections to retail and entertainment destinations.

On-Demand and Deviated Fixed Routes are also included in the free ride day.

Try Transit Week was created by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and transit operators across the Commonwealth to spread the word about public transportation accessibility and its numerous benefits. Public transportation riders not only save time and money, but they can multi-task and arrive at their destination stress- and hassle-free.

As part of Try Transit Week, DRPT sponsors a Try Transit Week pledge giveaway. Participants who pledge to try transit are automatically entered for a chance to win a year of free transit service from a participating Virginia transit operator, as well as a pair of round-trip tickets aboard Amtrak’s Northeast Regional train. Pledges will be accepted through September 22, 2017. Rules at www.trytransit.org.

For more information about the Try Transit Week promotion, contact Nancy Gourley, nancy@cspdc.org (540) 885-5174.

Free CERT Training Starts Sep. 28

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Are You Ready For Severe Weather, Emergencies or Disasters?
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training Will Be Offered September 28-November 9, 2017.

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The Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro and Augusta County in partnership with Blue Ridge Community College will be offering Community Emergency Response Training (CERT).  The course will be held on Thursday evenings, September 28 – November 9, from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Plecker Center auditorium, on the campus of Blue Ridge Community College.

This seven-week course uses a curriculum designed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and teaches basic skills in disaster preparedness, fire safety, first aid, terrorism awareness, disaster psychology, and search & rescue.  The CERT course is designed to give the average person tools to prepare themselves and their family during severe weather or other emergencies when emergency personnel are overwhelmed and may not be able to respond immediately.  After completing the seven-week course, participants may choose to become a volunteer with the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Community Emergency Response Team.  The course is open to anyone who either lives or works in Staunton, Waynesboro, or Augusta County.  The course is free and all materials are provided. Pre-registration is required. Pre-registration no later than September 22, 2017 is required. To pre-register for the course contact Rebecca Joyce, CERT Coordinator by telephone at 540-885-5174 or by email at rebecca@cspdc.org.

Download the Fall 2017 CERT Course Flyer and SHARE!

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BRITE Transit Facility Officially Dedicated

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STAUNTON (July 27, 2017) —State, regional, and local leaders and several BRITE transit riders gathered to officially open the BRITE Transit Facility and welcome new buses to the fleet this morning. Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) Executive Director Bonnie Riedesel and Board Chair Frank Friedman kicked off the event, then introduced remarks from key officials including Jennifer DeBruhl, Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transportation Chief of Public Transportation; Bruce Simms, Virginia Regional Transit CEO; and Wayne Martin, BRITE Transit Advisory Committee Chair.

Nancy Gourley, CSPDC Transit Manager, offered up rider perspectives to the proceedings, introducing BRITE transit riders Rebecca Messer and Paul Terry, as well as Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center teacher Stephen Sweeney, who all shared how important reliable transit is to many Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro residents by providing access to training, services, health care, and employment.

The event was a celebration of reaching several milestones since the CSPDC took over the administration of the BRITE Bus Transit System several years ago. BRITE Bus provides fixed-route and on-demand transportation in the Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro (SAW) area. Services are administered by the CSPDC, with operational recommendations provided by the BRITE Transit Advisory Committee (BTAC).

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In addition to taking ownership of the transit operations facility in Fishersville and placing a new fleet of nine silver buses and one new trolley into service, a contract was awarded for transit service provisions to Virginia Regional Transit. BRITE has also initiated a new social media presence in addition to the information available at  www.BRITEbus.org. Transit users can visit @BRITEbus on Facebook and Twitter for updates on routes and real-time service announcements, or for general information or customer service inquiries.

These changes are the culmination of a multi-year effort to study, plan, and execute transit improvements in the SAW area. The process began with the development and adoption of the Transit Development Plan (TDP) in 2015. The TDP is a short-range plan that outlines the transit improvements intended during a six-year planning horizon; estimates what resources will be needed; and identifies potential funding options. The development of the CSPDC’s TDP was guided by a working group made up of representatives from Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County, along with public and private transit partners.  Additionally, significant input to the TDP was sought through rider surveys and stakeholder interviews.

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A primary focus of the projects included in the TDP has been the development of a combined urban-rural system that ties together services operating in the region. To lay the foundation for future growth, the program has accomplished several projects leading up to the facility transfer and new fleet. Between 2015 and 2017, a unified brand called BRITE was launched; the BTAC was formed; transit funding was consolidated under the CSPDC; route improvements were implemented; and transit system bus stops, shelters, and signage have been upgraded. Following a competitive bidding process, the CSPDC published notice in March 2017 to enter into contract with Virginia Regional Transit as the transit provider for the BRITE system. The resulting contract for an initial five-year period began July 1, 2017.

Request for Proposal for Web Design Services for BRITE Bus Transit

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The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) is soliciting comprehensive and innovative proposals and competitive pricing from interested parties to provide the creation of a dynamic, user-friendly website for BRITE Bus Transit Service.

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The RFP document can be accessed here.

BRITE Acquires Transit Facility, Welcomes Provider and New Buses

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STAUNTON (July 5, 2017) —The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) announced today the completion of several key milestones since assuming the administration of the BRITE Bus Transit System several years ago. BRITE Bus provides fixed-route and on-demand transportation in the Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro (SAW) area. Services are administered by the CSPDC, with operational recommendations provided by the BRITE Transit Advisory Committee (BTAC).

The most recent accomplishments include accepting ownership of the transit operations facility in Fishersville, which is now named the BRITE Transit Facility; awarding a contract for transit service provision to Virginia Regional Transit, which includes placing a new fleet of nine silver buses and one trolley into service. BRITE has also initiated a social media presence in addition to the information available at www.BRITEbus.org. Transit users can visit @BRITEbus on Facebook and Twitter for updates on routes and real-time service announcements, or for general information or customer service inquiries.

These changes are the culmination of a multi-year effort to study, plan, and execute transit improvements in the SAW area. The process began with the development and adoption of the Transit Development Plan (TDP) in 2015. The TDP is a short-range plan that outlines the transit improvements intended during a six-year planning horizon; estimates what resources will be needed; and identifies potential funding options. The development of the CSPDC’s TDP was guided by a working group made up of representatives from Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County, along with public and private transit partners. Additionally, significant input to the TDP was sought through rider surveys and stakeholder interviews.

A primary focus of the projects included in the TDP has been the development of a combined urban-rural system that ties together services operating in the region. To lay the foundation for future growth, the program has accomplished several projects leading up to the facility transfer and new fleet. Between 2015 and 2017, a unified brand called BRITE was launched; the BTAC was formed; transit funding was consolidated under the CSPDC; route improvements were implemented; and transit system bus stops, shelters, and signage have been upgraded. Following a competitive procurement process, the CSPDC published notice in March 2017 to enter into contract with Virginia Regional Transit as the transit provider for the BRITE system. The resulting contract for an initial five-year period began July 1, 2017.
A ribbon cutting will be held at the new facility in late July. For more information contact Nancy Gourley, nancy@cspdc.org (540)885-5174.

Public Meeting Set for WWRC Small Area Study 

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The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization  will be hosting a public open house/information meeting for the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) Small Area Study on Thursday, June 22.  The event is from 5-7 PM at Wilson Middle School Cafeteria, 232 Hornet Road in Fishersville. The transportation study will examine access management and safety issues along US 250 (Jefferson Highway) in the vicinity of the WWRC Complex. Study recommendations will be used to guide future transportation improvements in the area. The public is invited to attend the open house and provide input.

Regional Housing Summit Held

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The CSPDC and the Bath County Economic Development Authority hosted a Regional Housing Summit on May 25, in Bath County. More than 35 attendees learned strategies to address the demand for affordable workforce housing in their community.

Summit speakers from the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech, USDA Rural Development, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Virginia Housing Development Authority, Total Action for Progress, and CSPDC focused on the connection between housing and economic development, as well as funding opportunities to increase affordable housing options.  Topics included homeownership, rental housing, housing rehabilitation, and new construction. The workshop was geared toward local government staff, including community development, economic development and workforce development, local elected officials, housing organizations and nonprofits, and other community leaders.

Individuals who were unable to attend the Summit can access the presentations and related videos HERE .