CSPDC to Map Child Care Gaps Across the Blue Ridge Region
Where are the child care deserts in the Blue Ridge region — and what would it take to close them? CSPDC will help answer that question as part of a new statewide effort to strengthen child care access, in partnership with the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation.
Over the coming months, we will analyze regional child care supply and demand data, working alongside Ready Region Blue Ridge leadership to turn the findings into an action plan. The data and methodology come from a partnership between VECF, PlanRVA, and the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions — giving every region in the state a common starting point.
The results will feed directly into the region’s economic development strategy, tying child care access to workforce growth — recognizing that families can’t go to work if there’s nowhere for their kids to go.
Findings are due by the end of September.
Floodplain Management Workshop for Locality Staff
On Thursday, August 27, 2026, the CSPDC will host a Regional Floodplain Management Workshop in partnership with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
The free, half-day workshop will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the BRITE Transit Facility in Fishersville. Participants will hear about five key aspects of floodplain management — floodplain mapping, regulations, substantial improvement and substantial damage requirements, permitting, and flood insurance — with time reserved for questions and discussion.
CSPDC organized the workshop in response to a need identified during the early stages of the CSPDC’s Flood and Stormwater Resilience Plan, when localities expressed interest in additional training and resources to strengthen floodplain management and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) compliance.
The workshop is intended for local floodplain administrators, plan review staff, code officials, and anyone involved in—or interested in learning more about—floodplain management and NFIP requirements. Whether you are new to floodplain administration or simply looking for a refresher, this workshop is a chance to strengthen your knowledge, ask questions, and connect with regional peers.
For more information, please contact the CSPDC office. To inquire about registering, please email cspdc@cspdc.org.
BRITE Transit Begins New Chapter with Resource Management Systems
BRITE riders can expect the same dependable service, now with a fleet of new vehicles on the road. On July 1, Resource Management Systems (RMS) took over as BRITE’s turnkey operations and maintenance contractor, a transition CSPDC marked with fare-free rides for the entire week of June 29.
RMS was selected through an open and competitive procurement process, required of CSPDC as a recipient of federal and state funding. The Georgia-based provider brings more than 30 years of experience in public transportation, paratransit, and non-emergency medical transportation — including service to numerous rural counties and regional commissions across the Southeast — and will operate BRITE under a five-year base contract, with options to extend to nine years.
Visit www.britebus.org to learn more about BRITE.
Afton Express and UVA Recognized for Sustainability and Transit Partnership
This spring, the Afton Express and its partner, the University of Virginia (UVA), received two awards recognizing the route’s environmental impact and the strength of the regional partnership behind it.
On May 1, UVA honored the Afton Express at its annual Sustainability Leadership Awards luncheon. Paula Melester, Devon Thompson, and Danielle Gannon received the award on behalf of BRITE Transit and CSPDC alongside Kendall Howell and Patrick Clark of UVA Parking and Transportation.
The award recognizes the Afton Express and Wahoo Commute partnership, under which UVA faculty, staff and students ride free, which supported 23,725 passenger trips in 2025. Those passenger trips eliminated an estimated 733,103 vehicle miles traveled and 260 metric tons of tailpipe emissions as compared to people driving alone, and the average rider saved approximately $5,500 in commuting costs including gas, vehicle wear and tear, and parking.
On May 20, the Virginia Transit Association (VTA) presented UVA’s Department of Parking and Transportation with its Outstanding Contribution by a Partner Award at the 2026 Annual Conference for its sustained role in advancing the Afton Express. The award, selected from nearly three dozen submissions by transit colleagues across the Commonwealth, cited UVA’s sustained financial investment, technical engagement during the recent service procurement process, and its Wahoo Commute incentive program, which rewards employees who choose transit and other alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles. In 2025, the Afton Express recorded nearly 24,000 total passenger boardings, with approximately 80 percent of riders affiliated with UVA, generating an estimated $872,751 in avoided commuting costs for UVA riders.
CSPDC and UVA will continue working together to grow ridership, strengthen service, and expand sustainable commuting options for travelers between Augusta County, Waynesboro, and Charlottesville.
Watershed Wellness Stormwater Projects Complete in Lexington and Staunton
Two area nonprofit organizations recently completed projects under the CSPDC Watershed Wellness Program. Watershed Wellness provides 100% no-match funding for the planning, design, and implementation of nature-based stormwater projects that address water quality and flooding, supported by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
Boxerwood Education Foundation in Lexington installed a rainwater catchment system on its 1,200 square foot barn to support education and garden programs at its 15-acre facility. The system includes gutters and collection infrastructure to harvest approximately 28,000 gallons annually, addressing rainwater saturation that has caused soil erosion and structural damage around the barn. The collected rainwater will irrigate plantings in areas without water access.
Shenandoah Green worked with the Staunton Augusta YMCA (SAYMCA)00to improve a 0.35-mile segment of Lewis Creek at SAYMCA’s new facility on New Hope Road in Staunton. The improvements included planting 180 native riparian trees and vegetation along the stream. Shenandoah Green worked with a landscape engineer to design the site to improve its ecological function and make the stream publicly accessible.
The two-year program will award nearly $100,000 for stormwater planning and implementation projects across the region and is accepting applications on a rolling basis until funds are expended. Learn more at: https://www.cspdc.org/programs-services/wip-iii/