News
2025 Central Shenandoah Bike Walk Summit
On Friday, November 14, the CSPDC, Shenandoah Valley Bike Coalition, and Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley hosted the 2025 Central Shenandoah Bike Walk Summit at The Liberty St. Loft in Harrisonburg. For the first time, this event brought together stakeholders from the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro and Harrisonburg-Rockingham regions to discuss the potential of non-motorized transportation improvements to boost the Valley’s quality of life and how to unify active transportation efforts regionwide.
The day kicked off with a keynote address by Melicent R. Miller, DrPH, MSPH, a Chronic Disease and Obesity Prevention Consultant with the Virginia Department of Health and President of Health Forward LLC. Dr. Miller drew on her fifteen years of experience at the intersection between public health and the built environment to make the case that investing in safe places to walk, roll, and bike is an effective public health strategy, particularly when local governments, health systems, and community partners work together. Subsequently, JMU’s Institute for Constructive Advocacy and Dialogue facilitated breakout sessions exploring experiences and opportunities for building trust and momentum for safer biking, walking, and moving in communities.
Following the keynote and facilitated breakouts, the afternoon focused on local progress and on-the-ground implementation. The Shenandoah Rail Trail Partnership shared updates on the trail’s progress from Front Royal to Broadway while the City of Waynesboro Parks and Recreation staff discussed the Rockfish Gap Gateway Trail and other local greenway developments. To conclude the formal session, the City of Harrisonburg and the Harrisonburg Community Connectors Team gave attendees an overview of the recent demonstration project to reimagine North Mason Street as a complete two-lane street with shorter pedestrian crossings, temporary roundabouts, and activated public space. Afterwards, Harrisonburg Councilmember Monica Robinson gave a walking tour of the historic Northeast Neighborhood and North Mason Street Corridor, sharing history on the corridor’s pre-urban renewal character and results from the demonstration project.
For additional details on the Summit, please visit the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition website.
A New Chapter for Buena Vista: Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Virginia Innovation Accelerator
The City of Buena Vista officially welcomed a powerful new engine for economic growth on December 3rd, marking the culmination of years of collaborative effort. The Virginia Innovation Accelerator (VIA), housed in a revitalized former cigarette paper printing factory, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by The Advancement Foundation (TAF).
Since 2022, staff from the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) have worked closely with TAF to adapt and reuse this historic industrial building. The result is an inspired business hub poised to become a central force for agriculture value-added product development, small-scale manufacturing, and community revitalization.
The atmosphere at the event was lively, filled with the many individuals and organizations who helped bring the project to life. It was a powerful demonstration of how community partners, coming together, can turn visions into tangible realities. Mayor Tyson Coper of Buena Vista echoed this sentiment.
A key speaker at the event was Senator Chris Head, who highlighted the crucial importance of business hubs in fostering regional prosperity and shared successful examples he has witnessed.
Following the ribbon cutting, attendees gathered in the event space for a panel of entrepreneurs already utilizing the VIA. Testimonials showcased the hub’s diverse potential—from representatives of an agriculture tech company and a hobby mushroom grower who successfully transitioned to a mushroom farmer, to a talented baker. The collective energy of innovation and aspiration was evident.
The future looks bright and truly innovative for Buena Vista and the surrounding region, thanks to the VIA. The Virginia Innovation Accelerator is more than just a building; it is a collaborative platform designed to launch new businesses, support local food systems, and revitalize the community fabric.
Exciting news was shared during the celebration: Phase 3 of the project will include the development of 16 loft apartments, integrating residential living directly into this dynamic center of innovation.
We encourage everyone to visit the new location and witness this inspiring, innovative work firsthand!
Afton Express Begins Enhanced Commuter Schedule
The Afton Express introduced a revised weekday schedule on December 1 to better support regional workers traveling between the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville. The updated schedule is designed to align with major employer shift times, provide additional service during peak periods, and offer more consistency across trips throughout the morning and evening.
These changes follow ongoing analysis of ridership trends and feedback from commuters since the service launched in 2021. The improved schedule aims to enhance flexibility and coverage for employees across the corridor while supporting continued growth in commuter transit use along I-64.
As the Afton Express continues to see strong ridership, growing 25% since last year, the new schedule is expected to further strengthen access to employment opportunities and improve regional connectivity. Updated schedule information is available on the BRITE Bus website.
Regional Leaders Gather to Share Legislative Priorities Ahead of 2026 General Assembly Session
Left to Right: Delegate Terry Austin, Jeremy Holmes, Ann Cundy, and Senator Chris Head
On Monday, December 1st, local government administrators from Bath and Rockbridge Counties and the Roanoke Valley gathered at the historic Masonic Theater in Clifton Forge for a legislative lunch hosted by the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission and the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission.
Delegate Terry Austin and Senator Chris Head joined the roundtable discussion, listening as local leaders shared their perspectives on issues affecting their jurisdictions. The format allowed for candid conversation and meaningful dialogue between local governments and those who craft legislation in Richmond.
Attendees discussed a variety of municipal challenges, and common themes included housing, adequate funding for fire and rescue personnel and equipment, and maintaining local autonomy in land use decisions.
As the 2026 General Assembly Session approaches, the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission remains committed to facilitating these important regional dialogues and strengthening the connection between our member jurisdictions and their state representatives.
CSPDC Begins Regional Flood and Stormwater Resilience Plan
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) awarded the CSPDC a $270,000 grant through the Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) program to fund a Regional Flood and Stormwater Resilience Plan. The Plan includes 18 of the 21 localities in the CSPDC region and will allow localities to identify flooding/stormwater needs, identify priority projects such as conventional stormwater and green infrastructure improvements, and make localities eligible for DCR CFPF construction funding, which requires a locality to have an existing Resilience Plan.
The CSPDC is working with the Berkley Group to develop the plan, and the CSPDC held a plan kick-off meeting on October 24 to provide an overview of the plan and next steps. The plan process includes a public outreach phase and individual, in-person meetings with staff from each locality to identify flood and stormwater issues and projects.
The CSPDC is providing funding for the 10% grant match through the CSPDC Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) Program, and no match is required from localities. The plan will be complete in fall 2026.