News & Event Announcements
Stay Connected with CSPDC: Introducing Our Enhanced Engagement Hub
We’re excited to share a fresh new way to stay in the loop on the planning work happening across the Central Shenandoah region. Visit connect.cspdc.org to explore our new online engagement hub, where you can follow our programs, track projects you care about, and share your input — all in one place.
The site is organized around CSPDC’s program areas, making it easy to find what’s most relevant to you. Start at the “Around the Region“ hub for our annual report and monthly regional news, or head straight to the program area hub that interests you most — transportation, housing, environment, and more. Each hub showcases all of the related projects currently underway, so you’ll always have a clear picture of what we’re up to.
Subscribe or Follow — and Stay in the Know
This is where Connect really shines. You have two easy ways to stay current:
- Subscribe to a program area — Just enter your email address on any program area page to receive updates whenever new content is posted. No account needed.
- Follow a specific project — Interested in a particular project? Click the “Follow” button on the project page to receive targeted updates. This option requires a free Social Pinpoint account, which takes just a moment to set up.
Creating an account also lets you customize your experience — choose which parts of the region you want to hear about, select the types of projects that interest you, and set how often you’d like to receive notifications. You’re in control, and you can update your preferences or delete your account at any time.
Your Input Matters — Even After Engagement Closes
When a project is in an active engagement phase, you’ll find surveys, interactive maps, and other tools right on the project page. But project pages don’t disappear when an engagement window closes — they stay on the site to share results and provide ongoing project updates, so the conversation continues.
We hope you’ll take a few minutes to explore connect.cspdc.org. Subscribe to what interests you, follow the projects you want to track, and let us know what you think!
CSPDC Partners with Virginia Energy Sense to Bring Energy Efficiency Resources to the Region
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) is excited to announce a new partnership with Virginia Energy Sense, Virginia’s statewide energy education program, to connect residents and local partners across our region with free energy efficiency tools, tips, and resources.
Virginia Energy Sense operates under the guidance of the Virginia State Corporation Commission and is dedicated to helping Virginians reduce their energy use and save money — without sacrificing comfort. Through this partnership, the CSPDC will work to distribute Virginia Energy Sense’s educational materials to households, businesses, and community organizations throughout the planning district.
Whether you own your home, rent, or manage a business, Virginia Energy Sense has resources tailored for you. Their website offers guidance on do-it-yourself home energy audits, seasonal energy-saving tips, information on energy-efficient products, and a comprehensive directory of available incentives and rebates from federal, state, and utility providers that can help offset the cost of energy-efficient upgrades.
We encourage all residents and community partners to explore the free resources available at virginiaenergysense.org and to subscribe to their newsletter for ongoing energy-saving tips delivered straight to your inbox.
CSPDC Honored at ACEC Virginia Engineering Excellence Awards
Pictured Left to Right: Jeff LaHood, Jon Oliver, Chloe Harwood, Paula Melester, Ann Cundy, Duncan Stewart, and Alan Saunders
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia recognized CSPDC with a Merit Award for the Lewis Street Transit Hub Project at the 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on February 5th. The gala, held at the Dewey Gottwald Center at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, celebrated outstanding engineering achievements across the Commonwealth. CSPDC’s Executive Director, Ann Cundy and Director of Transportation Paula Melester joined Lewis Street Hub project team members Duncan Stewart (MBP), Alan Saunders (DRPT), and Chloe Harwood, Jeff LaHood, and Jon Oliver (all of Kimley-Horn) for the evening’s festivities. Paula and Jeff LaHood accepted the award on behalf of the project team.
The Lewis Street Transit Hub, completed in August 2024, represents a significant investment in BRITE Transit’s regional infrastructure and passenger experience. The Merit Award recognizes the project’s achievement in innovation, complexity, and value — a testament to the strong collaborative effort among CSPDC, Kimley-Horn, MBP, and DRPT throughout planning, design, and construction. CSPDC is proud to share this recognition with all the partners who helped bring this important transit facility to life.
Bath County Awarded $75,000 Housing Rehabilitation Planning Grant
Bath County has been awarded a $75,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Planning Grant by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to conduct a county-wide housing assessment to identify properties eligible for housing rehabilitation assistance. The grant will fund a comprehensive windshield survey as well as targeted home inspections to document existing housing conditions and rehabilitation needs.
According to the 2023 American Community Survey, 21.1% of Bath County residents live below the poverty line, more than double the statewide average. In addition, more than 200 households are cost-burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing, with at least one-third of those households allocating more than 50%. Many of these households include low-income seniors, single-earner families, and renters with extremely limited incomes. With few affordable housing options available, residents in Bath County may be at risk of displacement or homelessness if their homes become unsafe or uninhabitable.
Through this planning process, Bath County and its partners will be well positioned to develop targeted housing rehabilitation strategies to preserve existing housing stock. Bath County Administrator Mike Bender expressed appreciation for the award, stating, “We welcome efforts to support our citizens and are grateful to the Planning District Commission for assisting Bath County with this important work.”
Transit Equity Day & Winter Storm Fern Response
BRITE Bus celebrated Transit Equity Day on February 4 with fare-free rides on all BRITE routes. Transit Equity Day pays homage to Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks and her courageous acts in fighting for the right to equitable transportation. This day of action serves as a reminder of the importance of removing barriers to accessible transportation.
Prior to honoring Ms. Parks’ legacy, Winter Storm Fern impacted operations. BRITE Bus prepared for the storm by ending service early on January 24, and provided fare-free rides for the day so residents could access transportation without barriers to prepare for the storm. Once services resumed, BRITE staff reiterated to riders how to safely access BRITE services with the plethora of snow/ice around typical bus stops and pedestrian infrastructure. We thank the Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro and Augusta County staff who assisted in making the bus stop areas accessible to riders.