News
Farmers Market Conference Held
The Virginia Farmers Market Association hosted their 7th annual Farmers Market Conference in Staunton at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel on November 13-15. This three-day event featured workshops, presentations, and social networking events including tours of Fields of Gold member farms – Project Grows, Overlook Farm and Bluestone Winery. This year’s theme focused on agritourism, a popular path for connecting customers to farmers and farmers markets. CSPDC Agritourism Coordinator, Rachel Salatin, presented on the Fields of Gold Farm Trail and participated as a vendor. In attendance were over 150 market managers, vendors, farmers, and agricultural leaders.
GO Virginia’s RAAMP Project Completed
Byers Technical Institute (BTI), a technical training center in Rockbridge County, partnered with the City of Buena Vista and the Rockbridge County Economic Development Authority to address the high demand for skilled welders throughout the Shenandoah Valley. In 2018, the Rockbridge Area Advanced Manufacturing Program (RAAMP) was awarded $100,000 in GO Virginia funds that were matched by the two localities and BTI with an additional $100,000. Funds were used to support instructors, purchase equipment and machinery, and modify and upgrade the building to expand BTI’s ability to enroll and train welders. As of September, 34 students have completed BTI’s welding program and are now employed by 13 different companies with an average annual starting salary at $46,179. BTI has had 100% job placement of their students. All grant activities are completed, but BTI will continue to track and report on jobs and salaries that result from this investment. Over the next 5-years this program is expected to graduate 72 welders.
The next project application deadline for GO Virginia Region 8 is December 13, 2019. Proposals submitted by this deadline will be presented to the Region 8 Council in January 2020. The CSPDC serves as a support organization for the GO Virginia Region 8 Council and provides grant administration for GO Virginia projects funded within the CSPDC.
Census Complete Count Committee Forms
The 2020 Census is right around the corner and local governments and communities across the U.S. are working to educate their citizens about the importance of completing the Census by forming Complete Count Committees (CCCs). CCCs are comprised of government and community leaders from education, business, healthcare, faith-based groups and other community organizations. The CSPDC is currently working with Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County to form the SAW CCC that will collaboratively use existing resources to teach citizens how to take the Census and why an accurate count helps to secure financial resources to provide essential services and crucial programs within the region.
A workshop to train organizations on how to “help folks take the Census,” will be held on December 4th at the BRITE Transit facility in Fishersville. For more information and to sign up for the training, contact Rebecca Joyce at the CSPDC.
Augusta County Supervisor Plants Fields of Gold
Augusta County farmer, Gerald Garber, planted 150 acres of his land surrounding the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport in sunflowers to welcome travelers to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. The sunflowers attract thousands of butterflies and were planted along with other crop cover plants to help fertilize the land on his Cave View Farm in Weyers Cave. Mr. Garber is the chair of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors, chair of the Shenandoah Valley Airport Commission and an ardent supporter of agribusiness in the region.
GO Virginia BRCC Cyber Security Graduates
Six graduates of Blue Ridge Community College’s GO Virginia cyber security training program have obtained positions with Tiber Creek Consulting, which is opening a new office in Waynesboro, VA, in the same building as BRCC’s Online Outpost. In addition, more students will participate in paid internships with Tiber Creek this fall. BRCC students will be performing cyber security assessments for federal contractors in Virginia as part of a $1.4 million Department of Defense grant awarded to GENEDGE Alliance.
The BRCC students received reduced-cost training from a GO Virginia grant awarded to BRCC in 2018. The goal of the grant is to train and employ 50 Tier I Cyber Security Analysts by July 2020, and to partner with local companies to offer in-demand, excellent-paying employment opportunities. The GO Virginia training program includes a security review course, CompTIA Security+ Exam, Cybrary online training, and on-the-job training, and takes approximately three months to complete.