News
GO Virginia Region 8 Council Approves Talent Pathways Initiative Proposal
GO Virginia’s Region 8 Council convened for their regular session at the Aviation Technology Park’s newest hangar located within Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. The Council met in one of two recently constructed 14,000 square foot corporate aircraft hangars, funded with support from USDA Rural Development and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration.
At the meeting, the Region 8 Council approved funding for the Shenandoah Valley Workforce Development Board’s Talent Pathways Initiative Project Proposal. This initiative focuses on analyzing the region’s manufacturing, transportation, and logistics industries, with the aim of identifying labor demands and opportunities for training and workforce development. The council also approved a planning grant for a workforce study for the Winchester Regional Airport. Both applications will be considered by the State GO Virginia Board at their next meeting.
Additionally, the Council announced significant changes to the administration of GO Virginia grants. Going forward, applicants for grants must now only provide a 2:1 match, a shift from the previous requirement of a 1:1 match. Moreover, the maximum award for planning grants has increased from the $250,000 cap to 25% of the total project cost. Lastly, recognizing that a shortage of healthcare services was impeding regional growth, previously ineligible healthcare projects are now eligible for GO Virginia funding if they address demonstrated needs for healthcare workers and services.
CSPDC Welcomes New Staff
Garreth Bartholomew, Kimberly Miller and Philippe Bone have been hired to fill open positions at the CSPDC.
Garreth Bartholomew joined the CSPDC as their newest Transportation Planner on April 18. He is a recent graduate of the University of Virginia’s Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy with a Masters in Public Policy, specializing in rural economic and community development. He was a Graduate Assistant for both UVA Student Health and Wellness for basic needs and a Graduate Assistant at UVA School of Architecture, along with Director of Special Projects for the Remote Area Medical Free Pop-up Clinic at the Augusta Expo Center in Fishersville. His hobbies are riding his folding bike and volunteering with local non-profit entities in the SAW and Piedmont regions.
Kimberly Miller recently rejoined the CSPDC as Office Manager replacing Rita Whitfield, who retired. Kimberly has over 10 years of experience at the PDC and was the primary administrative support for the SAWMPO, oversaw the HOME Downpayment and Closing Cost Assistance program, and assisted with many planning grants and programs in her tenure. In 2023, she took time with her husband and three cats to travel in their RV and is now back in the area full time to be near family. She is looking forward to assisting the PDC in the role of Office Manager.
Philippe Bone recently joined the CSPDC as their newest Regional Planner, stepping into his role on April 16. Prior to this, he supported corporate social responsibility at Ceres, Inc., and with the EIRIS Conflict Risk Network, where he collaborated with institutional investors to advocate for peace and stability in conflict-affected areas. He has also conducted multiple qualitative and quantitative research projects throughout West Africa on topics including violent extremism, good governance, and development for federal agencies. Philippe holds an MA in Conflict, Security, and Development, along with a BA in History and International Relations from the University of Exeter. He currently resides in Waynesboro, VA. Philippe looks forward to contributing to the CSPDC’s mission and aims to make a positive impact in our communities. In his free time, Philippe enjoys hiking and spending time with his two daughters.
Afton Mountain Transportation Site Assessment Being Finalized
The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) is completing a transportation site assessment at the Afton Mountain property located at the crossroads of I-64 and Rt. 250. The assessment is part of a larger, comprehensive site study being conducted by Augusta County.
The transportation assessment is reviewing existing transportation conditions, and also several future development scenarios at the site that could impact future traffic patterns along US 250. Depending on the extent of future development, study is recommending a roundabout at the intersection of US 250 and Howardsville Turnpike. The final draft of the report will be available on sawmpo.org later in May.
CSPDC’s Watershed Wellness Mini-Grant Program Awards Five Projects
The CSPDC is pleased to award five grants through the Watershed Wellness Mini-Grant Program. The grants are used for the planning and installation of stormwater best management practices through the Commission’s Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) program. The program is funded by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in support the State of Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction goals.
The grantees include the towns of Bridgewater, Buena Vista, and Elkton, and the non-profit Rockbridge Conservation based in Lexington. Four installation projects were awarded for the planting of native trees, shrubs, and compost application in dense urban settings and along stream banks to address erosion, run-off, and sediment. One planning study was awarded to identify BMPs to address streambank run-off along a walking trail.
The grant program provides up to $3,500 in non-match funding for stormwater BMP planning and installation for localities and non-profits in the CSPDC region.
Town of Goshen Selected for ARC READY Local Governments Program
As reported in the February 2024 CSPDC Newsletter, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) commenced the READY Local Governments program as one of their READY Appalachia capacity-building initiatives. The READY Local Governments funding provides no-cost training to assist local government representatives with identifying, securing, managing, and implementing federally sourced projects. The course capacity was limited to 180 local government officials, with no more than two representatives per community.
On April 24, the ARC announced the 90 local government entities, representing 12 Appalachian states, selected to participate in the READY Local Governments program. The Town of Goshen was among the 90 selectees. Mayor Tom McCraw and Assistant Town Clerk Trudy Martin will participate in the virtual, cohort-based learning program. The 9-week training course is scheduled to begin in spring 2024.
ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin stated in the READY Local Government press release, “ARC’s local government partners have always been the backbone of our on-the-ground work throughout our Appalachian communities. Through our READY Local Governments initiative, we are proud to help these partners enhance their work through training, resources, and expanded support, because when our local communities thrive, the entire Appalachian Region succeeds.”
To further assist communities, these 90 local governments are each eligible for up to $50K in funding to initiate in-house capacity-building projects after completing the training. No match is required. Visit this ARC webpage for more information on the READY Local Governments program: https://www.arc.gov/ready/localgovs/.