News
MGCC Workforce Development Center Holds Ribbon Cutting
On August 15, 2023, Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) President Dr. John Rainone cut the grand opening ribbon for MGCC’s interim Workforce Development Center in Buena Vista. The event marked the phase 1 milestone of constructing the Wilson Workforce Development Center in the former Courtesy Ford Dealership building. MGCC students began courses the following Monday (August 21st) in the McCormick Building at 2045 Forest Avenue. MGCC programs will encompass HVAC, building, electrical, plumbing, industrial technology, precision machining, welding, diesel mechanics, and CDL training for these in-demand career fields.
Local representatives taking part in the ribbon cutting included Ramsey Real Estate owner Skip Ramsey, Rockbridge County Administrator Spencer Suter, Lexington City Council member Marilyn Alexander, Rockbridge Odd Fellows Society Treasurer Tony McFaddin, Buena Vista City Manager Jason Tyree, MGCC President, Dr. John Rainone, MGCC Technical Services employee Billy Oulds, and Lexington Mayor Frank Friedman.
Virginia for Development-Ready Communities Workshop
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development is hosting a Virginia for Development-Ready Communities Workshop with Joe Borgstrom of Place & Main Advisors on October 24 from 10:00AM – 3:30PM at the Church of the Incarnation, 75 N Mason St, Harrisonburg, VA. Attendees will be engaged in activities and learn how to determine their community’s readiness, evaluate market opportunities, and the right incentives to attract quality investments and investors. This half-day workshop includes modules on Property Marketing, Proforma 101, and Incentives. Join community leaders from across the state in this important learning opportunity – and get your community Development Ready!
$25 Early Bird registration (through September 15th)
$50 Regular (September 16th – October 15th)
The Afton Express Celebrates 2 Years of Service!
On September 1, 2021, the Afton Express took its maiden voyage across the mountain from Staunton, Fishersville, and Waynesboro to Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and the University of Virginia. Now, two years later it is still growing strong!
Ridership continues to grow steadily, improving each month as more commuters learn of the service. From September 2022 to August 2023, monthly ridership increased by 64%.
To celebrate this milestone, CSPDC staff will host pop-up events in Charlottesville and Staunton to engage with current and prospective riders.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Afton Express, or helping us celebrate this occasion, is invited to visit one of the pop-up events below.
September 14, 2023, from 3:30 – 6:00 pm at the University of Virginia, Hospital West Complex bus stop
September 28, 2023, from 4:00 – 7:30 pm at the Staunton Mall bus stop
The CSPDC would like to thank all the community partners who have helped this service succeed in these first two years. Our staff looks forward to year three and beyond!
Rideshare and BRITE Bus Participate in Discover Transit Month
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is engaged in the second “Discover Transit” campaign of the year.
Between mid-August and mid-September, DRPT is inviting Virginians to discover how public transportation can help connect them to the places they need to go.
The CSPDC’s Commuter Assistance Program, Rideshare, along with BRITE Bus will help promote the use of transit in our region. To encourage travelers to use transit, all BRITE Bus routes (including the Afton Express) will operate fare-free on September 20, 2023.
In addition to fare-free days, during the month of September, travelers who log their transit trips in their regional commuter assistance program’s smartphone app will be entered to win a $100 gift card courtesy of DRPT. Here in the central Shenandoah Valley, that would be the Rideshare App, which is available on both Apple and Android devices.
In addition to the statewide contest, riders who log their commute trips on the Afton Express will be entered to win additional prizes. Rideshare will select four winners in early October. All Afton Express commute trips logged in September will count as an entry for the drawing.
We hope you consider using transit for your daily trips this month. In the CSPDC region, you can explore routes in any of the following transit systems:
Harrisonburg Public Transportation Department (HDPT)
RADAR Transit (Maury Express)
Rockbridge Area Transportation System
Or – visit ConnectingVA.org and use the Virginia Transportation Finder – a tool that will help you locate transportation options in your region.
Highland Inn Receives ARC Grant
The Blue Grass Resource Center will receive a $700,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Construction Grant to support the completion of The Highland Inn Revitalization Project. On August 11th, Governor Youngkin recommended the Inn as one of sixteen projects in Virginia for ARC funding. The grant will fund Phase II of the effort to renovate the historic Highland Inn. Located on Main Street in Monterey, the Highland Inn is part of Highland County’s economic development strategy to increase tourism through retreat conferences and cultural events. In 2021, Phase 1 of the revitalization effort successfully stabilized and restored the Inn’s exterior. Phase II will restore the Inn’s interior, completing the final step necessary to reopen the hotel and restaurant.
For more information see: https://dhcd.virginia.gov/2023-appalachian-regional-commission-award-recommendations