News
Afton Mountain Transportation Site Assessment Being Finalized
The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) is completing a transportation site assessment at the Afton Mountain property located at the crossroads of I-64 and Rt. 250. The assessment is part of a larger, comprehensive site study being conducted by Augusta County.
The transportation assessment is reviewing existing transportation conditions, and also several future development scenarios at the site that could impact future traffic patterns along US 250. Depending on the extent of future development, study is recommending a roundabout at the intersection of US 250 and Howardsville Turnpike. The final draft of the report will be available on sawmpo.org later in May.
CSPDC’s Watershed Wellness Mini-Grant Program Awards Five Projects
The CSPDC is pleased to award five grants through the Watershed Wellness Mini-Grant Program. The grants are used for the planning and installation of stormwater best management practices through the Commission’s Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) program. The program is funded by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in support the State of Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction goals.
The grantees include the towns of Bridgewater, Buena Vista, and Elkton, and the non-profit Rockbridge Conservation based in Lexington. Four installation projects were awarded for the planting of native trees, shrubs, and compost application in dense urban settings and along stream banks to address erosion, run-off, and sediment. One planning study was awarded to identify BMPs to address streambank run-off along a walking trail.
The grant program provides up to $3,500 in non-match funding for stormwater BMP planning and installation for localities and non-profits in the CSPDC region.
Town of Goshen Selected for ARC READY Local Governments Program
As reported in the February 2024 CSPDC Newsletter, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) commenced the READY Local Governments program as one of their READY Appalachia capacity-building initiatives. The READY Local Governments funding provides no-cost training to assist local government representatives with identifying, securing, managing, and implementing federally sourced projects. The course capacity was limited to 180 local government officials, with no more than two representatives per community.
On April 24, the ARC announced the 90 local government entities, representing 12 Appalachian states, selected to participate in the READY Local Governments program. The Town of Goshen was among the 90 selectees. Mayor Tom McCraw and Assistant Town Clerk Trudy Martin will participate in the virtual, cohort-based learning program. The 9-week training course is scheduled to begin in spring 2024.
ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin stated in the READY Local Government press release, “ARC’s local government partners have always been the backbone of our on-the-ground work throughout our Appalachian communities. Through our READY Local Governments initiative, we are proud to help these partners enhance their work through training, resources, and expanded support, because when our local communities thrive, the entire Appalachian Region succeeds.”
To further assist communities, these 90 local governments are each eligible for up to $50K in funding to initiate in-house capacity-building projects after completing the training. No match is required. Visit this ARC webpage for more information on the READY Local Governments program: https://www.arc.gov/ready/localgovs/.
2024 Virginia Transit Association Annual Conference and Bus Expo
The Virginia Transit Association (VTA) is hosting their Annual Conference and Bus Expo on May 22-23, 2024 at the Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center Harrisonburg, Virginia. Industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across the state converge at the annual conference to explore the future of transit. From cutting-edge technology to sustainable solutions, this event promotes insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and actionable strategies to advance public transportation across the Commonwealth. Additionally, at the end of the conference there will be a graduation ceremony for the first cohort of Virginia Transit Leadership Institute (VTLI).
The conference is sold out, but if you would like to be added to a waitlist should there be a cancellation, please contact VTA at 804-643-1166.
Rita Whitfield Retires
Rita Whitfield, Office Manager of the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, retired after more than 46 years and was recognized for her outstanding and meritorious service at the Commission meeting on April 15, 2024.
Rita began her career with the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission on February 16, 1978, as Secretary I in the office Secretarial Pool, advancing to the position of Administrative Assistant; and then to the position of Office Manager that she held for 15 years.
Over her career, Rita worked for six Executive Directors and more than 150 Commissioners. She supported dozens of planners and staff by providing high quality administrative and management support.
On behalf of Commission and the region, we extend our sincere and grateful appreciation for her dedicated service to the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission and congratulate her on her well-earned retirement, and extend our best wishes for continued success, happiness, and good health in the years to come.