On August 12, the U.S. Census released its first round of data collected during the 2020 Census. This rollout includes data on population growth, race, and the Hispanic population.

The population in the CSPDC region has grown by 6% over the past decade, from 286,781 in 2010 to 304,056 in 2020. This is slower than the 7.9% growth rate in the state. However, growth in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area exceeded the statewide growth rate, growing 8.3% since 2010.

In regards to race and ethnicity, white residents in our region slightly declined from 90.8% to 88.3%, while the percentage of residents among all other races has increased. The City of Harrisonburg is the region’s most racially diverse locality, with a population distribution of 10.3% Black residents, 5.5% Asian residents, and 18.2% of residents that identify as “Other race.” In contrast, Highland County is the region’s most racially homogenous locality, with 98.7% of the population being white. The 2020 Census revealed that 67.8% of Virginia residents identify as white, down from 71% in 2010.

Both the CSPDC region and the state of Virginia have seen a large increase in Hispanic population over the past ten years. The Hispanic population in Virginia grew 44%, from 631,825 to 908,749, while the CSPDC region saw a larger, increase of 64%. Harrisonburg has the largest concentration of Hispanic residents in the region at 23.2% of the city’s population, followed by Waynesboro with 8.8%. Highland County and Bath County have the lowest share of Hispanic residents, at 1.6% and 1.7% of the counties’ populations.

The CSPDC will continue to monitor the Weldon Cooper Data Center for future Census 2020 data rollouts. Anticipated data includes information on age, sex, and household characteristics.

In July, the Town of Goshen was awarded a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to determine the feasibility of converting a vacant school building into a mixed-use community center. If brought to fruition, the community center would provide a variety of services including a health center, food bank distribution, senior services, health classes, Wi-Fi access, and additional community meeting and outdoor recreation space. The building currently houses the regional library and child-care program, which are planned to remain through the transition. In August, Goshen will complete initial activities outlined by DHCD prior to beginning the feasibility study that is scheduled to complete in Spring of 2022.

Applications are currently being accepted for the Fiscal Year 2022 Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grant program. To help achieve Governor Northam’s goal for universal broadband coverage throughout the Commonwealth by 2024, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will award funds to eligible applicants to provide last-mile services to unserved areas in Virginia. The CSPDC is available to assist with regional applications that are due on September 14, 2021.

In June, GO Virginia Region 8 Council approved a proposal to fund the Agricultural Innovation Center in Buena Vista. Proposed by The Advancement Foundation, the Agricultural Innovation Center plans to transform a vacant 37,000 square-foot factory in downtown Buena Vista into a flagship, ag-tech innovation facility featuring a business accelerator and classrooms, ag and food tech labs, a small-scale manufacturing space, a processing and product development space, and a commercial kitchen. Requested GO Virginia funds would help to establish the Center’s business acceleration and commercialization program, execute the value-added product development program, and provide initial funding for the purchase of manufacturing and processing equipment. Partnering localities include the City of Buena Vista, Rockbridge County, Rockingham County, Town of Elkton, and City of Winchester.

The project is currently being reviewed by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and will be considered by the GO Virginia State Board at their September meeting for final funding approval. The CSPDC has provided grant support and administration.