Exceeding their 2010 Census response rate, the CSPDC localities of Augusta, Buena Vista, Rockingham, Staunton and Waynesboro recorded response rates of 70% or higher. However, Bath and Highland rank among the 10 lowest response rates in Virginia. Out of all responses collected in the CSPDC region, 50% of residents filled out the 2020 Census online.

The Census Bureau concluded data collection on October 15 and will report population counts to the President by December 31, 2020. This data helps determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and the amount of funds allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers each year.

The Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel will soon be open to the public for walking and biking. Project partners from the past 20 years joined Governor Northam and Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring and Virginia Tourism Corporation President and CEO Rita McClenny to formally dedicate the Tunnel on September 23, 2020. VDOT, Nelson County, and Waynesboro contributed just over $5 million over the life of the project to restore the Tunnel, and construct trails, parking lots, and interpretive signs along the trail. Congratulations to Nelson County on the completion of this landmark project! Stay tuned for details on the Tunnel’s official open date for the general public.

In January, Virginia Governor Northam announced more than $18.3 million in grants through the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) to support broadband expansion to underserved regions across Virginia. The CSPDC submitted an application with co-applicant BARC Electric Cooperative and was awarded a $2.2 million grant. After working through incumbent carrier challenges to the original project submission, the project areas were revised in order that the project could move ahead to broadband construction and deployment. The revised project will bring broadband access to 492 unserved homes and businesses in Rockbridge County resulting in approximately 111 miles of gigabit last mile fiber infrastructure and a total cost of $4.4 million dollars. The CSPDC will serve as the grant administrator and will work with Rockbridge County and BARC through the completion of the project.

On August 8, a stalled rainstorm caused up to several feet of flood water to invade many downtown Staunton businesses and homes. Two weeks later a second devastating storm caused additional damage throughout the City. To assist Staunton residents during this challenging time, the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge accepted donations for a Flood Relief Fund. The CSPDC partnered with the Community Foundation to contact residents and record their damages and assess what resources, including the Flood Relief Fund were available. The CSPDC is proud to provide disaster relief assistance such as this to the region’s residents and communities.

The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) is in the final stages of the 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan Update. The CSPDC is seeking input from the public on the proposed list of projects in the document. Instead of an in-person meeting, the Plan Update steps and the project list is being presented via an online StoryMap and questionnaire. The StoryMap provides detailed maps and infographics detailing the process and data used to identify and evaluate projects. The StoryMap and questionnaire will be open for the month of October.