News
Senator Warner Visits Staunton
On a tour through the Shenandoah Valley on March 26, Senator Mark Warner stopped in Staunton to talk with local officials about the future of passenger rail in the region. Amtrak has been awarded $500,000 to identify and study potential improvements to the Cardinal Service which currently serves the Downtown Staunton station three days a week. The study is funded through the Corridor Identification and Development Program with funds allocated to the Federal Railroad Administration from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Amtrak has seen an increase in ridership across the Commonwealth with rail traffic in the Lynchburg-Roanoke corridor up 130 percent. The study will explore the feasibility of expanding the Cardinal route’s service from three to seven days a week. Even with the increase in ridership, improvements are needed to make rail travel in the Commonwealth more accessible and efficient. The Senator noted several challenges along the corridor south of Washington D.C. that cause delays. Many of those delays resulting from trains waiting to access single-track segments, bottlenecks at bridges, and lack of electrified tracks.
Although the event was primarily focused on passenger rail, Senator Warner took questions from those in attendance on a range of topics of interest both locally and nationally such as the war in Ukraine, affordable housing, broadband, inflation, immigration reform, and renewable energy. During the meeting, he shared local accolades, calling out the ongoing Shenandoah Valley Airport project, and the Afton Express and BRITE Transit System. Senator Warner acknowledged Bonnie Riedesel’s recent retirement and thanked her for her many years of service to the region.
The Senator’s trip through the Valley also included stops in Harrisonburg and Buena Vista where he spoke about regionally significant projects.
Industrial Revitalization Fund Awarded to Buena Vista
On March 29, Governor Glen Youngkin announced the award of seven Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) grants totaling over $10M. The City of Buena Vista (BV), who applied for additional funding support for the Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) Wilson Workforce Development Center project, received an FY 2024 IRF award totaling $650,000.
The IRF funding leverages other financial sources to modernize the one-time Courtesy Ford facility. The dealership was built in 1916 and is part of the Downtown Buena Vista Historic District. It’s also listed on the Virginia and National Register of Historic Places. The structure has remained vacant since about 2010. During a BV Community Development Block Grant Business District Revitalization study in 2019, the building was identified as blighted. This designation will change as the 18,750 square foot location is transformed into the Wilson Workforce Development Center, an approximately $6.1M project.
The Center will offer degree and non-degree programs in hard trades (HVAC technician, Commercial Driver’s License, Diesel Mechanic, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding). These employment fields are included in the FastForward program, which provides tuition assistance to Virginians training for in-demand jobs. The projected enrollment is 125 in the first year, rising to 300 students by year five. MGCC leadership established industry agreements for a total of 60 new jobs and 40 retained jobs at three regional employers: 1. Modine Manufacturing, 2. Everbrite, and 3. Lee-Hi Travel Plaza. Additionally, MGCC anticipates the creation of 28 direct jobs as a result of this project. Collectively, these commitments represent over $2M in investment by the respective employers. The Center will be a cornerstone to BV’s downtown development as it will bring students, faculty, and staff from around the region and contribute directly to local merchants and restaurants.
The Governor’s news release stated, “Since 2012, the IRF program has funded 66 projects that have revitalized vacant, blighted buildings. These projects have generated more than $228 million in additional public and private investment and resulted in the creation of more than 1,200 jobs across Virginia. For more information on IRF, visit www.dhcd.virginia.gov/irf.”
CSPDC Supports HC4FD with Assistance to Firefighters Grant Application
The CSPDC recently aided Hose Company #4 Fire Department (HC4FD) leadership with their submission for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The HC4FD applied for $1.5M in funding to purchase a new rescue engine and equipment. The HC4FD has been serving the citizens of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County since 1890. Their first due area consists of 140 square miles which includes the communities of Belmont, Cross Keys, Keezletown, Lacy Springs, Lakewood, Linville, Massanetta Springs, McGaheysville, and Shen Lake along with 12 miles of Interstate 81. The HC4FD second due area includes three colleges (Blue Ridge Community College, Eastern Mennonite University, and James Madison University), the City of Harrisonburg, and the towns of Bridgewater, Grottoes, and Mount Crawford. They have over 70 members, with 50 active Firefighters or EMTs. The HC4FD is currently averaging 4,000 volunteer hours a month in Fire/EMS services via 12-hour shifts, seven days a week.
The primary goal of the AFG is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, the AFG program has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. The FY 2023 AFG notice of funding opportunity states the anticipated award date begins around April 30th and continues until all program grant awards are issued (no later than September 30th).
Use this link to learn about the FEMA AFG program: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters. In addition, interested organizations will find further information on the FY 2023 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and FY 2023 Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) programs.
DHCD IRF Program Application Timeline Open Through May 31
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) opened their FY 2025 Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) grant application timeframe on April 1, 2024. The IRF program aims to transform vacant, non-residential buildings from a physically and economically blighted state to structures that drive commercial success, community revitalization, and job creation. Qualifying facilities include ones previously used for manufacturing, logistics, power production, and mining. Additionally, large-scale buildings like shopping centers, schools, mixed-use (as long as 30% of the project is commercial), department stores, hotels, and theaters are eligible properties. Local governments, including economic/industrial development authorities, are eligible to submit applications for the IRF program.
Units of local government can apply for IRF funding to use on publicly owned property or on behalf of a for-profit or non-profit entity for privately owned property. The IRF grants or loans provide up to $1M in funding. To exhibit project viability and the applicant’s commitment, local governments must provide a 100 percent (1:1) match from private or public sources. The IRF funding priorities include: a) relationship to a local or regional economic development strategy; b) high degree of blight and deterioration to be addressed; c) project readiness; d) project with a clear end use; e) end use has clear and significant community economic impact; and f) high economic distress in project locality.
IRF grant applications are due in CAMS (Centralized Application and Management System) on May 31, 2024 with the grant award announcement expected in the summer of 2024. For more information on the IRF program, visit this DHCD webpage: https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/irf. For additional assistance, please contact the CSPDC at (540) 558-5174.
Virginia Recreational Trails Program Grant Applications Accepted Through May 7
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is accepting applications for the 2024 Virginia Recreational Trails (RTP) grant now through May 7, 2024, with approximately $1.9 million in RTP funding available.
The Recreational Trails Program is an 80-20 matching reimbursement program for building and rehabilitating trails and trail-related facilities. Funded by the Federal Highway Administration and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the program mandates allocations in non-motorized, diversified and motorized trail categories. City, county, town, tribal or other government entities may apply. Registered nonprofit groups partnered with a government body are also eligible.
For more information visit https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/trailfnd. Direct questions to Recreation Grants staff at recreationgrants@dcr.virginia.gov, or call Recreation Grants Coordinator Kellie Seaton at 804-786-1119. For additional assistance, you can also contact the CSPDC at (540) 558-5174.