News & Event Announcements
Danielle Gannon Graduates from Virginia Transit Leadership Institute
We are proud to share that Danielle Gannon, Transit Planner at CSPDC, has graduated from the Virginia Transit Association’s (VTA) Virginia Transit Leadership Institute (VTLI). The graduation ceremony was held during the VTA Annual Conference and Expo in Fredericksburg on May 19–20, 2026.
In August 2025, Danielle was selected to participate in the third cohort of VTLI, a nine-month intensive program designed to develop the next generation of transit leaders. Over the course of the program, Danielle joined peers from across Virginia’s transit providers for five immersive full-day sessions covering a broad range of transit-related topics. From legislation to funding to leadership development, service planning, and community outreach, the program offered a comprehensive, statewide perspective on public transportation.
The knowledge, professional connections, and leadership skills Danielle has gained through VTLI will directly benefit BRITE Transit and Afton Express operations, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of her work in transit planning and commuter assistance in our region. Please join us in congratulating Danielle on this well-deserved milestone.
VAPDC Hosts First Funding and Financing Workshop in Staunton
On May 13, the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC) kicked off a series of four “Finding Funding for the Future” workshops across the state. VAPDC designed these day-long events for local and regional government staff to learn from State agency partners and their peers about securing grant funding and financing programs for community development projects.
CSPDC was the host region for the first workshop in Staunton. Focused on projects in the Shenandoah Valley, Roanoke and Charlottesville, the workshop featured presentations by regional airport executives in a session titled “Innovative Funding and Real-World Aviation Case Studies.” Shawn Crumlish with the Virginia Resources Authority gave a keynote presentation on the housing, drinking water, and resiliency programs they back with State funding through various loan programs. An expert panel of housing advocates titled “Making Affordable Housing Profitable – Innovative Capital Stacks” rounded out the day demonstrating funding strategies for housing projects including adaptive reuse/mixed use, faith-based building conversions, workforce housing, and rural affordable housing.
The next workshop takes place June 17 in Wytheville, followed by Fredericksburg on July 15th and Farmville on August 12th. For more information and to register for the sessions visit 2026 VAPDC Super Regional Workshops.
Philippe Bone Selected for Virginia Rural Leadership Institute
We’re proud to share that Philippe Bone has been selected as a 2026 participant in the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI) — a competitive statewide program that develops the next generation of leaders committed to strengthening rural communities across the Commonwealth.
Administered by the Center for Rural Virginia, VRLI brings together emerging leaders from across the state for four immersive sessions held in different regions of Virginia. Fellows gain firsthand exposure to the challenges and opportunities shaping rural communities, and build lasting relationships with peers, mentors, and local stakeholders along the way.
A hallmark of the VRLI experience is the Community Impact Project — a capstone each participant develops to create tangible benefit for their community and organization. Philippe’s project will focus on one of the most pressing needs facing rural Virginia: affordable housing. He will explore the feasibility of developing an innovative revolving loan fund that would support affordable housing development through tax increment financing. If realized, this fund could become a powerful resource for expanding housing access and affordability in our region.
Philippe’s selection reflects his dedication to CSPDC’s mission and commitment to innovative approaches to community development. We look forward to supporting him throughout the program and sharing updates as the capstone project takes shape.
We look forward to supporting Philippe throughout the program and sharing updates as his capstone takes shape. Please join us in congratulating him on this well-deserved recognition.
Goshen Honors CSPDC Planning Director with Keys to the Town
There’s no higher local honor than the keys to a town — and this month, Goshen Mayor Tom McCraw and Vice Mayor Steve Bickley made the trip to our offices to deliver theirs in person. During what Jeremy Crute expected to be a routine Monday morning staff meeting, the two officials presented our Director of Planning with the keys to Goshen and a Certificate of Appreciation, recognizing his sustained work in support of the town’s growth and resilience.
Jeremy came to CSPDC after six years at Florida State University’s Barnebey Planning & Development Lab, drawn in part by deep family roots in the Shenandoah Valley. He quickly became a go-to resource for localities seeking planning assistance and competitive grant support — and Goshen became one of the clearest examples of what that partnership can produce. Working closely with town leadership, Jeremy helped secure multiple rounds of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, making possible a new Community Services Center that will expand access to food pantry services and health and wellness programming for residents across the town and Rockbridge County.
More recently, he secured a Community-Oriented Resilient Energy (CORE) grant from the Virginia Department of Energy, bringing Goshen its first backup power system for critical public facilities during emergencies.
The recognition reflects something we see in Jeremy’s work every day: technical skill paired with genuine investment in the communities he serves. For a small town with limited resources, that combination can be transformative — and Goshen’s story is becoming proof of it.
Afton Express Sees Ridership Surge
The Afton Express recorded a 38% increase in ridership this February compared to February 2025, a milestone for BRITE Transit’s commuter route connecting the Central Shenandoah Valley to Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
The increase follows a marketing campaign that launched in fall 2025 and runs through the end of June, 2026. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) provided grant funds for the campaign which includes television and streaming commercials, interviews, and digital display advertising. Staff also engaged a professional photographer and a graphic designer to develop polished, consistent promotional materials for the route.
Afton Express also implemented a new schedule on December 1, 2025 to better align departure and arrival times with employer schedules and rider requests — another driver of the ridership surge. For more information on Afton Express, see our 2025 Annual Report.