News & Event Announcements
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.
CSPDC Selects New Contractor for BRITE Transit Operations
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) is pleased to announce the selection of Resource Management Systems, Inc. (RMS) as the new contractor for turnkey operations and maintenance of the BRITE Transit system. RMS will assume operations beginning July 1, 2026, under a five-year base contract with options to extend for up to nine years total.
RMS is a Georgia-based transit service provider with over 30 years of experience delivering public transportation, paratransit, and non-emergency medical transportation services to communities across the country. They are no strangers to regions like ours — RMS currently provides transit services to numerous rural counties and planning commissions across Georgia, giving them a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that come with serving rural communities. The CSPDC is confident that RMS’s experience and commitment to accessible, reliable transportation make them an excellent fit for BRITE and the communities we serve.
As recipients of federal and state funding, the CSPDC is required to conduct a fully open and competitive procurement at the end of each contract term. That process was completed this year, resulting in the award to RMS.
This transition also marks the close of a long and valued chapter with our outgoing contractor, Virginia Regional Transit (VRT). VRT has operated the BRITE system since before the CSPDC assumed oversight of the program, and their dedication to this region has been immeasurable. The hard work, institutional knowledge, and care that VRT’s team has brought to BRITE over the years has shaped the system into what it is today, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership and service.
As the June 30, 2026 contract end date approaches, the CSPDC will work closely with both VRT and RMS to ensure a seamless transition. Our top priority is continuity of service — riders should experience no disruption on July 1st. In fact, the most noticeable change may simply be some fresh, new vehicles on the road.
HRMPO Holds Open House on North Mason Street Corridor Study
The Harrisonburg Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO) held a public open house on Tuesday, February 24 at the Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center to share proposed improvement concepts for the MPO North Mason Street Study. Study is evaluating safety and streetscape improvements between East Market Street and North Main Street, and study builds on last summer’s demonstration project, which temporarily converted North Mason Street from four lanes to two. 1,500 people shared their input on the demonstration project.
February open house attendees reviewed the proposed design concepts, asked questions, and provided input on potential improvement strategies. Public input will inform the City’s selection of a preferred alternative, and will be documented in a final corridor study expected to be complete by summer 2026.
The study evaluates options for permanent changes to the corridor by replacing some existing roadway space with new public space. The designs also ensure adequate capacity for traffic while accommodating all modes of transportation, including pedestrians, people biking, trucks, emergency vehicles, and transit buses.
Following the preferred alternative selection, the City of Harrisonburg intends to submit the project for consideration through Virginia’s SMART SCALE transportation funding program. If funded, construction would begin after 2030.
You can review the informational boards from the meeting here: https://www.harrisonburgva.gov/sites/default/files/public-works/North%20Mason%20Boards.pdf.
For more information about the study, visit https://www.harrisonburgva.gov/transportation-studies-plans#NorthMasonStreetCorridorStudy.
Rockbridge Outdoors Begins 2026–2030 Strategic Planning Process
On March 12, 2026, graduate students in the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Virginia School of Architecture facilitated an on-site workshop at the Virginia Horse Center to support the Rockbridge Outdoors Strategic Plan update for 2026–2030. This marks the initiative’s third strategic planning process since the Rockbridge Outdoors Area Partnership launched in 2018.
Rockbridge Outdoors’ mission is to collaboratively advance, create, and promote outdoor recreational opportunities throughout the Rockbridge area. The initiative is made up of approximately 50 organizations excited about supporting a regional vision for outdoor recreation in the Rockbridge area.
During the session, the students introduced two engagement tools designed to gather community input: an asset map highlighting outdoor recreation resources and a public survey to capture feedback from partnership members. Rockbridge Outdoors’ project teams–Community Wellness, Marketing, Trails, and Water Trails—also met and reviewed existing action plans and established updated priorities for the next four years.
The strategic planning team is continuing its information-gathering process through several focus groups composed of outdoor recreation stakeholders. The finalized strategic plan is expected to be completed and delivered by the end of April.