News

Draft BRITE Title VI Plan Available for Public Comment

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The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) hereby releases for public comment the BRITE Title VI Plan. Copies of the Title VI Plan may be reviewed online at www.britebus.org or in person by calling the Title VI Coordinator at 540-885-5174. If you would like to submit written comments, have questions regarding this document, would like a digital copy of the document, or would like to request a public hearing, please do so by contacting the Title VI Coordinator at 112 MacTanly Place, Staunton, VA 24401, at 540-885-5174, or via email to bonnie@cspdc.org. The public comment period closes on June 15, 2020, by 5:00 p.m. The CSPDC will vote on the Title VI Plan at the June 15, 2020, meeting at the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, 112 MacTanly Place, Staunton, VA 24401. The public is welcome to attend and comment in person. An office public hearing will be provided if requested in advance of the meeting. To request a public hearing, contact the CSPDC office no later than seven working days prior to the meeting.

The CSPDC ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you have questions or concerns about your civil rights in regards to this program, or require special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, please contact the Title VI Coordinator at 540-885-5174. Sign language or non-English language interpreters and accessible formats for the visually impaired will be provided if needed and requested from the CSPDC no later than seven working days prior to the meeting.

Free WiFi Hotspots Available

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With the help of local officials, schools, and libraries across Virginia, the Commonwealth Connect team and Virginia Tech have developed an interactive map of free, publicly available WiFi hotspots that Virginians can access from a vehicle.

FY21 Virginia Telecommunication Initiative

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The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has announced its plan to award $19 million through their Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) in Fiscal Year 2021. VATI provides last-mile broadband services to unserved areas across the Commonwealth. DHCD is accepting public comments for the Draft FY2021 VATI Program Guidelines and Criteria through May 18, 2020. Written comments can be submitted to vati@dhcd.virginia.gov.

A How-to-Apply webinar with important eligibility information and criteria will be hosted on June 9, 2020. Application are due August 17, 2020.

Grant Resource Guide

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For over 50 years, the CSPDC has been providing planning services and technical assistance to its member jurisdictions. One of many resources provided by the CSPDC is the Grant Resource Guide that contains regularly updated information on many of the grants available in our region. The Grant Resource Guide lists state and federal grant sources and links to grant agency websites. These grant resources are categorized by funding and project types, including opportunities related to COVID-19.

Elkton Sidewalk Project

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The CSPDC partnered with the Town of Elkton and VDOT to develop a town-wide Pedestrian Masterplan to prioritize the Town’s investments in pedestrian infrastructure. The CSPDC helped evaluate the condition of the Town’s existing pedestrian network, and developed an evaluation criteria to prioritize each of the 20 potential sidewalk projects that the Town can include in its comprehensive plan, future capital improvement plans, and as a baseline for future grant funding applications.

The study will be complete in June 2020 and is the result of the CSPDC’s Rural Work Program, which conducts one study every fiscal year on a transportation-related issue for our rural partners. Please contact the CSPDC if your locality is interested in conducting a study in Fiscal Year 2021.