News & Event Announcements
Afton Express Study Continues
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is advancing the planning for the Afton Express transit service proposed to connect Staunton, Augusta County, Waynesboro and Charlottesville. DRPT has contracted with Kimley-Horn to confirm the need and projected ridership for the service from the Feasibility Study completed in 2017, and to refine a service plan and budget, as well as developing performance metrics. A stakeholder group representing the CSPDC and TJPDC, local jurisdictions and the University of Virginia met on September 23 to hear from the consultant on the planning work completed thus far, and to discuss next steps, including a preliminary discussion related to funding. The consultant presented an update on the study at the Joint MPO meeting on October 1, and will meet again with the stakeholder group in mid-November.
CSPDC Submits Chesapeake WIP III Final Reports to DEQ
Last Spring, additional funding was granted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to the CSPDC and 14 other Bay PDCs to continue the Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP III) efforts. The CSPDC held their third stakeholder meeting in August, 2019 to continue to develop regional Best Management Practices (BMP) project ideas and share funding opportunities. The CSPDC’s final WIP III reports were submitted to DEQ on September 30.
To meet the 2025 Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load requirements, the Office of the Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources, through DEQ, released the Virginia’s Final Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan in August. The new PDC WIP III Implementation Assistance program with DEQ is anticipated to begin this Fall.
CSPDC Sub-Region Participates in Walkability Institute
The Buena Vista/Lexington team participating in the Virginia Walkability Action Institute (VWAI) presented its Action Plan to the Virginia Department of Health on August 12, 2019. The VWAI focuses on opportunities to enhance walkability in communities, and brings together multi-disciplinary teams to pursue policy, systems and environmental changes to increase physical activity and reduce chronic disease. The team’s Action Plan focuses on using community planning processes already underway, such as the Comprehensive Plan updates and sidewalk condition inventories, to identify the most critical infrastructure projects for improving opportunities to walk while strengthening existing community partnerships.
The Virginia Department of Health is providing up to $15,000 to each team for quick-start mini grant activities to implement the Action Plans. The Buena Vista/Lexington team is developing trail maps for Glen Maury Park and trail signage for the Riverwalk in Buena Vista, and purchasing FitBits and gym memberships for those participating in VDH-sponsored wellness programs.
Grants to Increase Broadband Services Are Submitted
To help bring high-speed, affordable internet to unserved areas in the region, the CSPDC submitted two applications for the 2020 Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) program early in September. The first application was submitted on behalf of Bath and Rockbridge counties, with
co-applicant, BARC Electric Cooperative. If funded, this project would provide internet service to 1,085 residences and businesses. The project area includes Vesuvius, Big Hill, Effinger, South Buffalo, Glasgow and Buck Hill in Rockbridge County, and Warm Springs and Millboro in Bath County. The second application was submitted on behalf of Bath and Highland counties, with co-applicant, MGW Telephone. This project would service 240 residences and businesses and includes the project areas of Dry Run and Mountain Grove in Bath County, and the Doe Hill area of Highland County.
DHCD anticipates announcing the grant awards in December, 2019.
Facts & Figures Published
One of the CSPDC’s roles in economic development is to be a resource for data about the region and the PDC’s localities. To help support this important function, the CSPDC creates and distributes Facts & Figures, an easy-to-read snapshot of each sub-region’s people, jobs, schools, and other unique attributes. The four newly designed 2019 Facts & Figures documents were released this Fall and are available on the CSPDC website. Printed copies are set to be distributed throughout the remainder of this year.