News
Telework!VA Provides Telework Program Assistance
Last fall the CSPDC worked with Telework!VA consultant, Robin Mack to host a staff retreat on the benefits, challenges and best practices of teleworking. Ms. Mack surveyed staff and created a customized presentation for both employees and managers to better succeed in our new virtual workplace.
Robin Mack and the Telework!VA team are available to assist other organizations, businesses and employers in the region create and implement a telework program. Contact RideShare or Telweork!VA directly to set up a free webinar and learn more about the services available.
Waynesboro Park & Ride Expands
An expansion of the Town Center Park and Ride commuter lot in Waynesboro began construction the end of March and is scheduled to be complete in May of 2022.
The $1 million project will increase parking capacity from 120 to about 175 spaces, install a bus stop with a covered shelter, and will repave and improve on-location lighting. Additional amenities include bicycle racks, sidewalks, landscaping and infrastructure to accommodate future charging stations for electric vehicles.
The commuter lot, located near the Interstate 64 exit 94 interchange at Route 340 (P. Buckley Moss Drive), will remain open during construction. Barricades will separate the work zone from areas open to the public. The project is funded by the SMART SCALE transportation prioritization program. Additional information can be found on the Virginia Department of Transportation project page.
American Rescue Bill
President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in early March. The $1.9 trillion relief bill provides direct assistance to state and local governments along with billions of dollars for public health, vaccines, education, transportation, housing and more.
In the CSPDC region, the counties of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge and Rockingham will receive a little over $36M based on population. The cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro will receive around $30M based on a modified CDBG grant formula. Unlike CARES funding, towns will receive their own allocation. The 11 towns in the CSPDC region are expected to receive over $21M in ARPA funding. Final amounts will be determined by the U.S. Department of Treasury when they issue their guidance.
Allowable uses of funds include 4 broad categories: (1) responding to the COVID-19 public health crisis and its negative economic impacts to households, small businesses and nonprofits, and the tourism, travel, and hospitality industries; (2) providing premium pay to essential workers of local government and local employers; (3) providing assistance for government services due to revenue reductions; (4) making necessary investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.
The U. S. Treasury Department will provide guidance, oversee and administer these payments to local governments and funds must be used by December 31, 2024. For more information on the American Rescue Plan Act; click here.
GO VA Site Enhancement Project Approved
The GO Virginia State Board awarded the Shenandoah Valley Partnership (SVP) $821,000 in GO Virginia funds to improve six sites in GO Virginia Region 8. The work to be performed will include Phase I environmental reviews, wetlands surveys, geotechnical subsurface evaluation, and characterization of each site for the Virginia Business Ready Sites Tier program. The six sites proposed for this program are those that were identified as having the greatest return on investment made possible by both public and private sector investments and commitments to the market. Partners included the counties of Augusta, Frederick, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren. The total budget for the Site Enhancement Program is $1,916,359 and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2022. The CSPDC will be providing grant administration services for the duration of the project.
The next GO Virginia Region 8 Council meeting will take place virtually on Tuesday, April 27. For more information about GO Virginia Region 8, please visit their website.
Hazard Mitigation Plan Approved by FEMA
The 2020 update of the Central Shenandoah Hazard Mitigation Plan (CSHMP) has been conditionally approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is pending adoption over the next few months by the jurisdictions in the Planning District. The CSHMP identifies hazards and vulnerabilities of the Region and mitigation strategies that can be implemented to make communities more resilient. Having an approved and adopted Hazard Mitigation Plan also allows the local jurisdictions to apply for hazard mitigation grant funds. A steering committee made up of local and state government agencies and other relevant stakeholders guided the planning process and helped to obtain public input. The plan is available on the CSPDC website.