News

Community Emergency Response Training

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Would you like to help your neighbors and community in an emergency?
CERT training being offered this Spring. Sign up now!

Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County in partnership with the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission will be offering Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. from April 11 – May 23. The course will be held at the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission office in Staunton.

This seven-week course uses a standard 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. 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 no later than April 5 is required. To pre-register for the course contact Rebecca Joyce, CERT Coordinator by email at rebecca@cspdc.org. or by telephone at 540-885-5174 ext. 112.

DEQ Hosts Brightfields Solar Conference: April 9-10

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The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in partnership with Brownfield Listings, is hosting Brightfields 2019 – a solar conference – in Richmond, Virginia on April 9 and 10. This interactive two-day conference is a must-attend event for landowners, property managers, policy makers, solar developers, community leaders and individuals who are seeking to learn more about the application of land-based solar power production. Attendees interested in pursuing a solar project for their property will have opportunities to explore options with solar energy vendors and ensure their land is viable in the Brightfields marketplace. Registration is now open.

Statewide Agritourism Conference: April 3-4

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Agritourism entrepreneurs, economic development staff, and local government leaders will gather for the fifth annual Virginia Agritourism Conference on April 3 and 4 in Roanoke, Virginia. The Conference will provide resources, networking opportunities, and new ideas for agritourism entrepreneurs to enhance their business. This year topics will include developing an agritourism operation, managing the challenges of agritourism, delivering exceptional customer service, marketing, ensuring farm safety, hosting events, building a regional approach, and networking. Participants will also have the opportunity to tour local agritourism venues.

Farm2Fork Affair Showcases the Region’s Ag Producers

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Over 50 Shenandoah Valley agricultural producers, including 14 Fields of Goldmembers, exhibited their products during the Farm2Fork Affair on March 5 at the Rockingham County Fair Grounds. Buyers representing restaurants, universities, hospitals, and retail stores throughout Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. were able to sample and source products from this rich agricultural region. The event was hosted by a collaborative effort of regional economic development and tourism departments.
The Fields of Gold Farm Trail also showcased a booth, promoting the almost 250 agricultural businesses that make up this trail.

First Cohort Completes BRCC Cyber Security Training

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In 2018, the GO Virginia State Board awarded Blue Ridge Community College with a $200,000 grant to launch a Cyber Security Training Program. The CSPDC provides project management and grant assistance for this project.
The first cohort of 12 students completed their classroom training in February, 2019. Students will continue their studies with the Cybrary online training platform and assist with basic cyber risk assessments during their hands-on experience with Shenandoah Valley strategic IT consulting firms. Many of the students also earned their CompTIA Security+ certification along with their classroom training.
To welcome the second cohort of students, a new facility in Waynesboro will open this month. Graduates of the program will be placed in jobs that have an average wage of $54,000.