In February, Agricultural Enterprise Center Feasibility Study consultant New Venture Advisors, presented a recommended operating model to the CSPDC and Study Team. The preferred model will continue to be evaluated throughout the duration of the study that is scheduled to complete in May. The model’s concept is to build a centralized agricultural facility and commercial kitchen that supports farmers, entrepreneurs and agricultural enterprises in the Central Shenandoah Valley. If brought to fruition, the Ag. Enterprise Center will provide warehousing for the aggregation, distribution and sale of local products; business incubation and support services for food businesses; and a certified commercial kitchen serving meat and vegetable producers and entrepreneurs.

Next steps include the identification of anchor tenants, development of a capacity model, preliminary breakeven model, building program and bubble diagrams and further financial analysis. Potential sites and a facility floorplan will also be included in the final report.

This winter, the CSPDC completed the Central Shenandoah Regional Wildfire Protection Plan (CSRWPP) to analyzes wildfire risk and offer mitigation strategies for structures in woodland areas. The CSPDC region has many forested and wildland areas including national forests and a national park that put woodland communities at a higher risk for wildfire. Representatives from federal and state agencies, wildfire professionals, local government staff, and citizens helped to develop the plan that was funded through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant. The CSRWPP is available to the public on the CSPDC website.

In February, the CSPDC in cooperation with the University of Virginia and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission conducted a public survey to ascertain the demand for a collective workspace in the Fishersville area. Out of 359 survey respondents, 72% stated that their employment has shifted entirely or partially to telework and 61% indicated that they anticipate continuing to telework in the future and utilizing a shared workspace between one and four days per week. The desired amenities for a shared workspace include privacy, security, and enhanced technology and cleaning services. Most respondents were located in Waynesboro (40%) followed by Stuarts Draft and Fishersville (18%) and Staunton (16%). The steering committee will reconvene in March to discuss the survey results and determine the next steps of development.