News
Last Chance to Review Draft 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan
The review period for the Harrisonburg Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (HRMPO) draft 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) closes Thursday, May 18.
You can review the draft plan online and submit feedback directly on a digital version of the document.
Physical copies of the draft 2045 LRTP are also available for review at the Harrisonburg City Hall, the Rockingham County Administration Center, Town of Dayton City Hall, Mt. Crawford Town Municipal Building, Bridgewater Community Center, and the Massanutten Regional Library.
HRMPO, which is staffed by CSPDC, developed the draft 2045 LRTP based on input from a record number of community members. Your review of the draft document, which includes 55 transportation projects across the region, will help ensure the plan captures our region’s transportation needs and that the projects and proposed studies in the draft plan help meet those needs.
Visit hrvampo.org/lrtp for more information and to sign up to receive email updates on the LRTP.
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Process Kicks Off
In April 2023, the CSPDC launched its update of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). As the region’s 5-year plan for economic development, the CEDS provides a vision and a blueprint for greater economic prosperity and growth. This region-wide planning effort offers a platform for various stakeholders including local governments, institutions of learning, and private industry to engage in a meaningful conversation about capacity building efforts that would best foster economic development in the region. This process will involve baseline economic analyses, goal and strategy identification, and performance measure development for local and regional strategies. The theme of economic resilience will be incorporated throughout the CEDS.
Following a public procurement process, the CSPDC awarded a contract to Mangum Economics and their partners Spectrum Growth Solutions and Timmons Group to assist in the CEDS’ development. The planning process kicked off in April with the formation of a Working Group that includes representatives from local economic development and planning staff, community colleges, workforce development organizations, and small business accelerators from around the region. The Working Group held a kickoff meeting on April 18th and will meet periodically to guide the development of the plan. The updated CEDS is anticipated to be completed in October 2023.
City of Buena Vista Holds Recreation Economy for Rural Communities Workshop
In 2021, the City of Buena Vista applied for a Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) planning assistance program grant to help grow its outdoor recreation economy and revitalize its Main Street. The city was one of 25 communities across the nation to receive this technical assistance award sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the USDA Forest Service, the Northern Border Regional Commission, and the Appalachian Regional Commission.
On April 4-5, 2023, the City of Buena Vista hosted a workshop, where local stakeholders came together with city officials, regional, state, and federal partners, and the RERC planning assistance team to develop action plans to strengthen their downtown and their outdoor recreation sectors. During the first session on Tuesday, April 4, roughly 70 participants attended the nighttime workshop to learn about the project and participate in community visioning exercises. During the second and third sessions, on Wednesday, April 5, roughly 45 participants attended the daytime workshop to develop strategies to boost the recreation economy and downtown revitalization, identify actions to implement those strategies, prioritize actions, and develop an action plan to implement high-priority actions.
The RERC workshop was an incredible community-driven process that will result in a concrete, implementable action plan that the City of Buena Vista will be able to use to make visible progress over the next 2-3 years.
Chessie Trail Named to USA Today Top Trails List
USA Today recently announced their 2023 list of America’s Top 10 Recreational Trails, with Lexington’s Chessie Trail snagging the #3 spot. After being nominated by a panel of experts, the trail was entered into a readers’ choice election and placed third overall. The 7-mile rail-trail was noted for its scenic location in proximity to the Maury River, and access to both canal towpaths and the former Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad bed. In 2021, regional partners including Rockbridge County, the cities of Buena Vista and Lexington, VMI, and Friends of the Chessie Trail concluded a multi-year effort to replace a railroad bridge that was damaged after Hurricane Isabel in 2003. This reconstruction effort closed a key gap in the 7-mile trail and allowed visitors to walk the trail without making a detour. This addition enhanced an already well-loved regional trail and allowed more visitors to enjoy its natural beauty and wildlife.
Public Comment Period on 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan Opens Soon
Using data on where deficiencies in the transportation system exist today, where residential growth and development in the regional will occur tomorrow, as well as community feedback on the vision for the region’s transportation system, the Harrisonburg Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO) has developed its draft 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). Input from a record number of community members over the past year has shaped the draft 2045 LRTP, which includes 55 transportation projects across the region.
The public comment period for the draft 2045 LRTP opens on April 20, 2023. HRMPO will be accepting comments and feedback until May 18, 2023. Once the comment period opens you can review the draft plan online and submit feedback directly in a digital version of the document.
Physical copies of the draft 2045 LRTP will be available for review at the Harrisonburg City Hall, the Rockingham County Administration Center, Town of Dayton City Hall, Mt. Crawford Town Municipal Building, Bridgewater Community Center, and the Massanutten Regional Library.
HRMPO, which is staffed by CSPDC, is also offering virtual and in-person opportunities to review the draft LRTP, ask questions, and share feedback.
Save the date and make plans to attend one of the following events:
Webinar on April 25, 2023
HRMPO is offering two webinar sessions. The webinar recording will be made available on the HRMPO website after the sessions.
Public Meeting on May 4, 2023
Mark your calendar for HRMPO’s public meeting on May 4, 2023 in the Community Room at the Rockingham County Administration Center. Drop by any time between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Visit hrvampo.org/lrtp for more information and to sign up to receive email updates on the LRTP.
Announcements
Please stay tuned for events and more information from the CSPDC.
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