News & Event Announcements
CSPDC Undertakes Strategic Agency Assessment
In early 2025, CSPDC engaged the Southeastern Executive Research Institute (SERDI) to conduct an assessment of the agency. Through surveys and in-person focus groups, SERDI staff engaged with the Commission, local government managers, planners, and CSPDC staff to understand what’s working well, and how the agency can best serve its member localities.
SERDI executive director Jim Youngquist will present draft recommendations from the assessment to the Commission at the October 20th meeting, and then finalize the report. The surveys and focus group discussions were generally positive about the value that the CSPDC provides to localities and the ways in which we strengthen the region. It also recognized the need to expand awareness and understanding of our mission to all local elected officials and explore opportunities to provide new services to our localities such as enterprise GIS data management and mapping and water resources and stormwater management expertise.
VDOT Completes Phase 2 of Shenandoah Valley Rail with Trail Assessment
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has published its Phase 2 report for the Shenandoah Valley Rail with Trail Assessment. The report evaluates track and structure conditions in relation to requirements for the feasibility of future rail operations along the 49-mile stretch of the Norfolk Southern-owned corridor between Broadway and Front Royal.
The Phase 2 report, released in September 2025, includes five appendices: environmental desktop review, drainage and stormwater management, track rehabilitation, bridge load ratings, and public input from spring 2025 meetings in Timberville, Front Royal, and Woodstock. The assessment compares the engineering requirements and costs of restoring rail service with an adjacent trail to the previously studied rail-to-trail conversion. VDOT is conducting this as a fact-finding effort to assist the Commonwealth in determining next steps for the $35 million allocated for the corridor by the General Assembly through the 2020-2022 budget.
The final phase, Phase 3, will include cost estimates and documentation of assessment outcomes. VDOT expects to release the Phase 3 report this fall, followed by public engagement with in-person meetings and an online survey.
For more information and to view the Phase 2 report, visit the VDOT’s project page here: https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/staunton-district/rockingham-shenandoah-and-warren-counties—shenandoah-valley-rail-with-trail-assessment/
VDOT I-81 Public Input Meeting at Blue Ridge Community College on October 29
VDOT is holding a public meeting at Blue Ridge Community College Plecker Center on October 29 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. to review the final prioritized list of recommended projects in the new I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP). The meeting is an opportunity to learn more about the CIP process, the proposed projects identified for funding along the I-81 corridor in our region, and to provide comment on the draft prioritized project list. The current CIP builds on the 2018 CIP, which identified 65 construction projects worth approximately $3 billion that are now completed or in development.
In our region, the new CIP recommendations include over 70 lane miles of 3-lane widening along I-81 in both directions between Staunton and Harrisonburg to compliment the current and planned widening projects. After the public input review, the Commonwealth Transportation Board will finalize project selections in December. Additional information and meeting details are available at improve81.org.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Blue Ridge Community College, Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center, One College Lane, Weyers Cave, VA 24486
CSPDC Awarded $4.5 Million in SPARC Funds to Support First-Time Homebuyers
Virginia Housing’s Sponsoring Partnerships & Revitalizing Communities (SPARC) Program awarded CSPDC $4.5 million to help first-time homebuyers across the Central Shenandoah Valley. The announcement was shared with local lenders on September 8, 2025. This is the third consecutive year that CSPDC has sponsored the program, and its largest allocation to date.
Through the SPARC program, eligible buyers earning up to 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) receive a 1% reduction on Virginia Housing’s prevailing mortgage interest rates, a benefit that can save families thousands of dollars over the life of their loan. The program also complements CSPDC’s existing First-Time Homebuyer Program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to income-qualified households earning up to 80% of AMI.
Due to strong demand, allocations are often fully reserved in a matter of months, with the funds being offered on a first-come, first-served basis. With the previous allocation, the CSPDC was able to assist 11 households in purchasing homes: seven in Rockingham County, three in the City of Harrisonburg, and one in the City of Waynesboro. Each program participant completed a Virginia Housing Homebuyer Education course and received housing counseling from the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc. (SERCAP).
“With this year’s allocation, the CSPDC is excited to help even more families achieve homeownership,” said Regional Planner Philippe E. Bone. “Our goal is to assist approximately sixteen buyers across the Central Shenandoah region,”
For more information about the CSPDC’s First-time homebuyer’s program and our other housing initiatives, visit the SPARC Program page on CSPDC Connects.
The Afton Express Celebrates Four Years While Planning for the Future
The Afton Express is celebrating its fourth anniversary this September, marking a major milestone for a service that has become a key asset for commuters traveling along the I-64 corridor. Since its launch in 2021, Afton Express has seen steady growth, with ridership increasing by 56% from its inception to the end of 2024, with a projected increase of 84% from inception to December 2025.
In addition to the anniversary, a new proposed schedule for the Afton Express is now available for public comment. We are revising the schedule using rider and stakeholder feedback as well as ridership data to better align with passenger needs. The public can provide feedback on the proposed schedule by visiting the Afton Express page on CSPDC Connects.
To celebrate the anniversary and discuss the future of the service, CSPDC staff are hosting pop-up events at the Staunton and Waynesboro Park and Ride lots and the UVA Bavaro Hall stop in Charlottesville. These events will provide an opportunity for staff to thank riders, share Rideshare resources, and engage with the Afton Express community.
Following the public comment period, we will make necessary revisions and implement the new schedule on Monday, November 3.