News & Event Announcements
Regional MPOs Hold Joint Policy Board Meeting
The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAW-MPO) and Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization (CA-MPO) came together on September 30, 2025, for their biennial Joint Policy Board Meeting at the North Fork Meeting Center in Charlottesville. This meeting represents a continuation of the collaborative partnership formalized through a 2017 Memorandum of Understanding, which established a framework for inter-regional transportation planning along the critical I-64 corridor.
The meeting featured presentations on several significant regional initiatives, including updates on the Afton Express transit service, which has seen steady ridership growth since its 2021 launch and serves stops from Staunton to Charlottesville. Other presentations topics included the newly founded Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Transit Authority (CARTA), the Virginia Statewide Rail Plan, and the Three Notched Trail project. Representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Culpeper and Staunton Districts also shared progress reports on corridor improvements, including the I-64 Afton Mountain Congestion Warning System, interchange upgrades, and the new Exit 107 Park and Ride Lot scheduled to begin construction in Spring 2026. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) provided an update on statewide transit initiatives of interest to the region, such as the Virginia Breeze expansion, the update to the Coordinated Human Service Mobility Plan update, and the ongoing review of the MERIT Capital and Operating funding formulas.
The joint meeting underscores the continued commitment of both MPOs to coordinate transportation planning across jurisdictional boundaries, addressing the needs of the 37-mile I-64 corridor that serves as a vital link for inter-regional and interstate commerce. Through these collaborative efforts, the organizations continue to advance projects and initiatives that benefit the entire region’s transportation network. The SAWMPO will host the next meeting in 2027.
Transit Staff Host Pop-Up Events to Engage Afton Express Riders
CSPDC transit staff hosted two early morning pop-up events in late September at Afton Express stops to celebrate the commuter bus service’s fourth anniversary while engaging directly with riders and sharing information about service improvements and commuter resources.
The events took place at the Staunton Crossing Park and Ride on September 23 and the Waynesboro Park and Ride on September 29. Staff greeted riders with cookies, Afton Express swag, and provided an opportunity to discuss the commuter bus service and gather feedback on schedule revisions—all before 7:00 AM!
Staff also highlighted benefits of the Rideshare Commuter Assistance Program in recognition of September’s Try Transit Month, including the Ride Home Rewards program that provides emergency rides home for regular commuters, and the opportunity to earn rewards through the ConnectingVA platform.
The pop-up events were part of a broader outreach campaign to raise awareness about transit as a commuting option. During this initiative, the number of transit riders logging trips in the ConnectingVA platform increased by 27% from August to September.
These direct engagement efforts reflect CSPDC’s commitment to enhancing regional transportation options and connecting the communities of the region.
GO Virginia Region 8 Charts Course for Economic Growth with Updated Strategic Plan
The CSPDC recently updated Region 8’s Economic Growth and Diversification Plan. The Plan provides a blueprint to guide Region 8’s grant funding decisions, establishing a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the Shenandoah Valley’s economy through targeted investments in workforce development, entrepreneurship, industrial clusters, and site readiness.
The 34-locality region, spanning the CSPDC’s and the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission’s footprint, demonstrated strong economic momentum, with employment growing 4.4% over the past five years and average wages increasing 8.3% to reach $53,347. The region now supports over 253,000 workers across a diverse economic landscape.
The Plan identifies five targeted industries that are driving regional growth, collectively representing 56,158 jobs and accounting for more than one-third of recent employment gains:
- Agriculture & Value-Added Food
- Transportation & Logistics
- Manufacturing
- Life Sciences
- Information Technology & Emerging Technology
To support long-term growth of the targeted sectors, the Plan then develops economic strategies through GO Virginia’s Four Strategic Investment Priorities.
Talent Pipeline initiatives will increase skills availability, align career pathways with employer needs, strengthen regional talent retention, and attract workers to high-paying regional jobs.
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem strategies focus on filling early-stage funding gaps, supporting student entrepreneurship, and encouraging technology, innovation, and startup hubs throughout the valley.
Cluster Scale-Up efforts will build business-to-business connections, support expanding R&D capabilities, encourage sector partnerships, and increase access to capital for business growth.
Site Development investments will enhance the readiness of the region’s 75 business-ready sites, identify necessary infrastructure improvements, and explore opportunities for mega-site development through regional collaboration.
The GO Virginia Region 8 Regional Council will vote to adopt the Plan at their next meeting on October 28th. Once adopted, the Growth and Diversification Plan will be available at the GO Virginia Region 8 website.
GO Virginia is a statewide initiative that fosters private-sector growth and job creation through incentives for regional collaboration by business, education, and government. Region 8 encompasses 34 localities across the Shenandoah Valley, including the Central Shenandoah Planning District and Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission.
BRITE Bus Demonstrates the Value of Transit
BRITE Transit has debuted a promotional campaign highlighting the vital role that public transit plays in strengthening communities across the Central Shenandoah region. Through a variety of outreach efforts including social media and videography content, this initiative spotlights the ways public transit contributes to economic growth, social connection, and community resilience in our region.
The campaign began with a series of educational posts across its social media platforms with a clear message: investing in transit is investing in the health, strength, and future of our region.
This campaign is a celebration of the value of public transportation and reinforces the message that transit is an essential service. We hope you all will stay tuned as we share stories and BRITE Faces interviews with our riders, drivers, and partners who help make BRITE and Afton Express the vital services that they are for our community.
To follow along and share in the campaign, find BRITE on social media @britebus
Rocks to Roofs: A Housing Symposium for Tomorrow
Community leaders, developers, policymakers, and housing advocates will soon convene on Tuesday, October 21, from 8:30a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, to explore the area’s most pressing housing challenges. Through presentations from Virginia Housing, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and other partners, attendees will explore ways to advance housing opportunities across the Rockbridge area.
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) will also share its findings and housing solutions from its Regional Housing Study. In February, the CSPDC released its Regional Housing Study, funded by Virginia Housing and developed in partnership with Virginia Tech’s Center for Housing Research and HousingForward Virginia. The study offers an in-depth analysis of housing markets across the Central Shenandoah region and presents locally tailored strategies to address housing needs.
Rockbridge-area solutions featured in the study include:
- Empowering Economic Development Authorities to support housing development
- Expanding incentives for residential construction and rehabilitation
- Laying the groundwork for high-quality mixed-use development
Rocks to Roofs: A Housing Symposium for Tomorrow is a collaboration between Virginia Housing, Rockbridge County, Cities of Buena Vista and Lexington, Rockbridge Highlands Realtors Association, Central Shenandoah Planning District, and The Chamber of Commerce, Serving Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County. The official speaker lineup will be announced soon.
To learn more or register:
🔗 Rocks to Roofs: A Housing Symposium for Tomorrow
To explore additional materials related to the Regional Housing Study, visit our CSPDC Connects page.