News & Event Announcements
Finding Funding for the Future: May Workshop Tackles Aviation and Affordable Housing
The funding landscape for local governments has never been more complex—or more consequential. On May 13th, VAPDC is bringing together local government staff, economic developers, state agency partners, and EDA/IDA board members in Staunton for the first installment of Finding Funding for the Future, a workshop series built around one practical goal: helping regional partners compete more successfully for the resources that move communities forward.
This session features two deep dives that couldn’t feel more timely.
Cleared for Takeoff will examine innovative funding mechanisms for aviation infrastructure, drawing on real-world case studies that show how communities have secured—and used—resources to modernize and expand regional air capacity. Whether you’re new to aviation finance or already working on a project, you’ll leave with a clearer picture of what’s possible and how to pursue it.
Unlocking the Capital Stack turns to one of the region’s most pressing needs: affordable housing. Who actually funds housing development? How do federal, state, local, and private sources layer together—and where do competitive proposals typically fall short? This session breaks down the capital stack and highlights what approaches are working on the ground.
The event takes place at Hotel 24 South in Staunton. CSPDC encourages our member jurisdictions and regional partners to attend—registration is open now at this link.
Hot Off the Press: New Socio-Economic Data Profiles
CSPDC supports regional economic development as a comprehensive resource for data about the region and our localities. Every other year, we publish easy-to-read data profiles covering people, jobs, schools, and other unique attributes for every locality and sub-region in the Central Shenandoah region. The profiles highlight the defining characteristics of a locality or sub-region, offering a quick but meaningful picture of what makes that area distinctive.
The 2025 Facts & Figures brochures are now available on the CSPDC website. Whether you’re researching workforce demographics, educational attainment, employment trends, or community assets, these updated profiles are your starting point for understanding the Central Shenandoah region. Visit the CSPDC website to download the latest edition for your locality.
Virginia Breeze Launches Tidewater Current, Connecting the Valley to the Coast
Getting from the Shenandoah Valley to Virginia Beach is about to get a lot easier. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is launching the Tidewater Current, a new Virginia Breeze intercity bus route that will begin service on April 20. This is the first east-west transit service in the Virginia Breeze network, linking Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads with Richmond, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Harrisonburg along the I-64 corridor.
For Valley residents already familiar with the Virginia Breeze’s Valley Flyer, which connects Blacksburg to Washington, D.C., the Tidewater Current provides even more opportunities for connections in an entirely new direction. The route makes ten stops across the state:
- Virginia Beach Convention Center
- Norforlk – Military Highway Park & Ride
- Newport News – Newport News Transportation Center
- Williamsburg – Williamsburg Transportation Center
- New Kent – Colonial Downs/Rosie’s Gaming Emporium
- Richmond International Airport
- Richmond Main Street Station
- Charlottesville – Scott Stadium
- Staunton – Crossing Way Park & Ride
- Harrisonburg – Godwin Transit Center
“Expanding the Virginia Breeze intercity bus network is part of our commitment to providing more transportation choices for all Virginians,” said Mariia Zimmerman, director of DRPT. “The Tidewater Current creates an important east-west connection across the Commonwealth, helping people travel safely, affordably, and conveniently while supporting tourism and economic opportunity.”
Ticket pricing is destination based, and buses include roomy seating, a restroom, free Wi-Fi, and in-seat power outlets. All vehicles are wheelchair accessible and include luggage storage.
Tickets are available at virginiabreeze.drpt.virginia.gov.
CSPDC Title VI Plan Released for Public Comment
The CSPDC has released a Draft Title VI Plan for a 14-day public comment period, open through April 15, 2026.
The Title VI Plan describes how the CSPDC, and all it’s programs, ensure nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in their planning processes, public participation activities, consultant contracting, and distribution of federal funds, in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
You can review the draft CSPDC Title VI Plan here.
Previously, each MPO and BRITE Transit each maintained their own Title VI Plans. This 2026 update creates one plan for all CSPDC programs receiving federal funding with the exception of BRITE Transit. Due to the complexity of the Public Transit program, BRITE will continue to maintain its own plan which can be accessed on the BRITE website at www.britebus.org
Comments may be submitted via email to CSPDC@cspdc.org or via phone call to 540-885-5174. The plan will be considered for final adoption at the April 20, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting.
CSPDC Joins Virginia PDCs on Capitol Hill
Earlier this month, CSPDC participated in the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Policy Conference, held March 8–11 in Washington, DC. The conference brought together development district professionals from across the country to engage with federal policymakers on issues critical to regional communities.
As part of the conference, Virginia’s PDC community turned out in force for a luncheon meeting with Congressional staff from both Senate offices and three House representatives’ offices. The conversation centered on three priorities directly relevant to the work of regional planning districts and the communities we serve.
First, increased funding for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) — a cornerstone federal partner for economic resilience and regional development investment. Second, support for the BASICS Act, the current vehicle for surface transportation reauthorization, which shapes the framework for how federal transportation dollars flow to states and regions. Third, the Road to Housing Act, which addresses the national housing affordability and supply challenges that are equally pressing here in the Shenandoah Valley.
We also recently shared our Senators’ call for congressionally directed spending requests, and encourage our member jurisdictions to communicate your project ideas to their staff, and call on the PDC for assistance with your requests.