The CSPDC is hosting a second Rural Attraction Roundtable meeting on May 20 to discuss regional teleworking trends and assess the opportunity and best strategies on how to attract remote workers. The Rural Attraction Roundtable will feature a presentation on the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s National Remote Work Survey, an introduction to the state’s Telework!VA program, and an open discussion for regional stakeholders. For registration information, contact CSPDC Regional Planner Grace Blanchard at grace@cspdc.org.

This meeting is part of the CSPDC’s ongoing economic recovery efforts. For additional resources, upcoming events and data, visit the CSPDC’s COVID-19 Recovery webpage. New information is added regularly.

The Agricultural Enterprise Center Feasibility Study is in final review and is scheduled to complete in May. Since the study began in July, the CSPDC in partnership with a ten-member study team and consultants New Venture Advisors (NVA), have conducted and completed primary and secondary research that serve as the backbone for the study. From this research, NVA presented three potential operating models to the CSPDC and Study Team in which one, named the “Shenandoah Specialty Meat & Produce Hub” was chosen for further development. The final report will include a financial analysis, building diagram, funding strategy, potential site inventory and operator RFI and will be presented virtually on May 18 to stakeholders, local governments and the general public.

May is National Bike Month – an annual celebration to increase awareness and participation in bicycling, and showcase its many health and environmental benefits. This year, the League of American Bicyclists will be encouraging the pubic to bike ‘anywhere’ and document their ride with use of #BikeThere. Additional days to celebration and bring awareness to bicycling within National Bike Month are National Ride a Bike Day on May 2 and Bike to Work Day on May 21.

The Bike the Valley and RideShare programs, administered by the CSPDC, have created a digital social media campaign to bring public awareness to bicycling in our region. The campaign will be featured throughout the month.