The CSPDC is pleased to award five grants through the Watershed Wellness Mini-Grant Program. The grants are used for the planning and installation of stormwater best management practices through the Commission’s Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) program. The program is funded by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in support the State of Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction goals.

The grantees include the towns of Bridgewater, Buena Vista, and Elkton, and the non-profit Rockbridge Conservation based in Lexington. Four installation projects were awarded for the planting of native trees, shrubs, and compost application in dense urban settings and along stream banks to address erosion, run-off, and sediment. One planning study was awarded to identify BMPs to address streambank run-off along a walking trail.

The grant program provides up to $3,500 in non-match funding for stormwater BMP planning and installation for localities and non-profits in the CSPDC region.

As reported in the February 2024 CSPDC Newsletter, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) commenced the READY Local Governments program as one of their READY Appalachia capacity-building initiatives. The READY Local Governments funding provides no-cost training to assist local government representatives with identifying, securing, managing, and implementing federally sourced projects. The course capacity was limited to 180 local government officials, with no more than two representatives per community.

On April 24, the ARC announced the 90 local government entities, representing 12 Appalachian states, selected to participate in the READY Local Governments program. The Town of Goshen was among the 90 selectees. Mayor Tom McCraw and Assistant Town Clerk Trudy Martin will participate in the virtual, cohort-based learning program. The 9-week training course is scheduled to begin in spring 2024.

ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin stated in the READY Local Government press release, “ARC’s local government partners have always been the backbone of our on-the-ground work throughout our Appalachian communities. Through our READY Local Governments initiative, we are proud to help these partners enhance their work through training, resources, and expanded support, because when our local communities thrive, the entire Appalachian Region succeeds.”

To further assist communities, these 90 local governments are each eligible for up to $50K in funding to initiate in-house capacity-building projects after completing the training. No match is required. Visit this ARC webpage for more information on the READY Local Governments program: https://www.arc.gov/ready/localgovs/.

On a tour through the Shenandoah Valley on March 26, Senator Mark Warner stopped in Staunton to talk with local officials about the future of passenger rail in the region. Amtrak has been awarded $500,000 to identify and study potential improvements to the Cardinal Service which currently serves the Downtown Staunton station three days a week. The study is funded through the Corridor Identification and Development Program with funds allocated to the Federal Railroad Administration from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Amtrak has seen an increase in ridership across the Commonwealth with rail traffic in the Lynchburg-Roanoke corridor up 130 percent. The study will explore the feasibility of expanding the Cardinal route’s service from three to seven days a week. Even with the increase in ridership, improvements are needed to make rail travel in the Commonwealth more accessible and efficient. The Senator noted several challenges along the corridor south of Washington D.C. that cause delays. Many of those delays resulting from trains waiting to access single-track segments, bottlenecks at bridges, and lack of electrified tracks.

Although the event was primarily focused on passenger rail, Senator Warner took questions from those in attendance on a range of topics of interest both locally and nationally such as the war in Ukraine, affordable housing, broadband, inflation, immigration reform, and renewable energy. During the meeting, he shared local accolades, calling out the ongoing Shenandoah Valley Airport project, and the Afton Express and BRITE Transit System. Senator Warner acknowledged Bonnie Riedesel’s recent retirement and thanked her for her many years of service to the region.

The Senator’s trip through the Valley also included stops in Harrisonburg and Buena Vista where he spoke about regionally significant projects.

On March 29, Governor Glen Youngkin announced the award of seven Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) grants totaling over $10M. The City of Buena Vista (BV), who applied for additional funding support for the Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) Wilson Workforce Development Center project, received an FY 2024 IRF award totaling $650,000.

The IRF funding leverages other financial sources to modernize the one-time Courtesy Ford facility. The dealership was built in 1916 and is part of the Downtown Buena Vista Historic District. It’s also listed on the Virginia and National Register of Historic Places. The structure has remained vacant since about 2010. During a BV Community Development Block Grant Business District Revitalization study in 2019, the building was identified as blighted. This designation will change as the 18,750 square foot location is transformed into the Wilson Workforce Development Center, an approximately $6.1M project.

The Center will offer degree and non-degree programs in hard trades (HVAC technician, Commercial Driver’s License, Diesel Mechanic, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding). These employment fields are included in the FastForward program, which provides tuition assistance to Virginians training for in-demand jobs. The projected enrollment is 125 in the first year, rising to 300 students by year five. MGCC leadership established industry agreements for a total of 60 new jobs and 40 retained jobs at three regional employers: 1. Modine Manufacturing, 2. Everbrite, and 3. Lee-Hi Travel Plaza. Additionally, MGCC anticipates the creation of 28 direct jobs as a result of this project. Collectively, these commitments represent over $2M in investment by the respective employers. The Center will be a cornerstone to BV’s downtown development as it will bring students, faculty, and staff from around the region and contribute directly to local merchants and restaurants.

The Governor’s news release stated, “Since 2012, the IRF program has funded 66 projects that have revitalized vacant, blighted buildings. These projects have generated more than $228 million in additional public and private investment and resulted in the creation of more than 1,200 jobs across Virginia. For more information on IRF, visit www.dhcd.virginia.gov/irf.”

The CSPDC recently aided Hose Company #4 Fire Department (HC4FD) leadership with their submission for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The HC4FD applied for $1.5M in funding to purchase a new rescue engine and equipment. The HC4FD has been serving the citizens of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County since 1890. Their first due area consists of 140 square miles which includes the communities of Belmont, Cross Keys, Keezletown, Lacy Springs, Lakewood, Linville, Massanetta Springs, McGaheysville, and Shen Lake along with 12 miles of Interstate 81. The HC4FD second due area includes three colleges (Blue Ridge Community College, Eastern Mennonite University, and James Madison University), the City of Harrisonburg, and the towns of Bridgewater, Grottoes, and Mount Crawford. They have over 70 members, with 50 active Firefighters or EMTs. The HC4FD is currently averaging 4,000 volunteer hours a month in Fire/EMS services via 12-hour shifts, seven days a week.

The primary goal of the AFG is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, the AFG program has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. The FY 2023 AFG notice of funding opportunity states the anticipated award date begins around April 30th and continues until all program grant awards are issued (no later than September 30th).

Use this link to learn about the FEMA AFG program: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters. In addition, interested organizations will find further information on the FY 2023 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and FY 2023 Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) programs.