The CSPDC is providing grant administration support for two infrastructure building broadband projects to benefit the underserved areas of Rockbridge County, including the towns of Goshen and Glasgow Both projects, a Virginia Telecommunication Initiate (VATI) program grant and an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) POWER Grant, will total over $3M in funding and will help build strong, competitive communities within this region. The VATI project alone, with a total cost of $4.4 million, will result in 111 miles of gigabit last mile fiber infrastructure that will reach 492 unserved homes and businesses. Local service provider BARC Electric Cooperative is contracted to complete both projects.

Other broadband access efforts in the Region include a project in Augusta County, through a partnership with MGW/Lingo, to construct a fiber-to-the-home network in the McDowell and Deerfield areas of Augusta and Highland Counties. This project totaling over $1M is expected to provide broadband access to 1,099 total locations, including 15 businesses.

On June 17, 2021 the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will be hosting an application how-to-apply webinar for the 2022 VATI program. Representatives from units of local government, internet service providers and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to participate. VATI applications are due on September 14, 2021.

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.