News
SAWMPO Study Evaluating Safety Improvements at Six Intersections
The SAWMPO is beginning a new study to address priority safety concerns at six intersections in Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro. The study will evaluate safety improvements based on crash history, current and future traffic volume, roadway design, and other site characteristics to identify candidate projects for future grant applications through programs such as SMARTSCALE, TAP, Revenue Sharing, and the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The consultant-led study is expected to be complete in Spring 2023.
Go Virginia Region 8 Council to Consider Airport Proposal
The GO Virginia Region 8 Council will meet at Blue Ridge Community College on October 18 to consider a funding request from the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission for the continued development of the Shenandoah Valley Aviation Technology Park. The Airport Commission includes representatives from the counties of Augusta and Rockingham and the cities of Staunton, Waynesboro, and Harrisonburg. The proposed GO Virginia project will relocate utilities from the middle of the 58-acre site to its perimeter. This will create the opportunity to construct additional hangars to meet the distinctive needs of aviation-related businesses. The utility relocation project directly follows a design and engineering phase that was supported by a GO Virginia Enhanced Capacity Building grant and a hangar construction project, currently underway, that is supported by an Economic Development Administration Public Works grant. The CSPDC provided technical assistance and grant administration services for these projects.
CSPDC Holds Staff Retreat
The CSPDC held its annual staff retreat at Montgomery Hall Park in Staunton for a group picture painting session with art instructor, Noelia Nunez. As part of the staff retreat, a webinar on cyber security in the workplace will be held later in the month.
Mountain Gateway Project Awarded EDA Grant
The development of Mountain Gateway Community College’s (MGCC) Workforce and Entrepreneurial Center just got a boost from a $3 million grant through the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Assistance to Coal Communities initiative. Funding will be used to renovate an existing building in downtown Buena Vista as a manufacturing training center and entrepreneurial innovation laboratory. The project will expand the college’s capacity to deliver training and award industry credentials to meet local employers’ workforce needs in the areas of advanced manufacturing, machining, welding, HVAC, and diesel mechanics. The facility also will serve as an innovation lab where entrepreneurs can exchange ideas and collaborate as they start or grow businesses. As a designated EDA Economic Development District, the CSPDC provided technical assistance for MGCC’s application.
Bath County Hires New County Administrator
Following a nationwide search, Bath County’s Board of Supervisors has named Michael Bender as the County Administrator. A native of Chesterfield, Virginia, Mr. Bender has over 28 years of experience in public service. He most recently served as a Division Commander for the Richmond, Virginia Police Department.
As the County Administrator, Mr. Bender will manage and coordinate the overall day-to-day operations and activities of the County government. He will relieve Janet Bryan who has diligently served as the Interim County Administrator since the departure of Ashton Harrison earlier this year. Ms. Bryan will return to her role as the Executive Assistant/Deputy Clerk to the Board.
Mr. Bender holds a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, and a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.