News

50 Years of Population Growth in the Region

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The CSPDC is proud to serve the estimated 301,485 residents within the five rural counties, five cities, and eleven towns that comprise the region. Over the past five decades, the region’s population has increased 61.8%, going from 186,306 in 1970 to an estimated 301,485 in 2018. The region gained the most residents (33,738) between 1990 and 2000. Although population increases have slowed since 2010, the region still displays healthy and steady growth patterns.
The City of Harrisonburg with an astounding 274% increase, gained more people than any other locality in the region since 1970 and was designated a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) following the 2000 U.S. Census. Ten years later, following the 2010 Census, the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro area was designated an MSA. This reflects their role as an area with a high level of social and economic interaction between the cities and county. As it was in 1969, Rockingham County is the CSPDC’s most populated locality while Highland County remains the lowest populated locality with 2,265 people.

Farm2Fork Affair: March 5

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The Fields of Gold Farm Trail will have an information booth at the one-day Farm2Fork Affair. This event connects Shenandoah Valley farmers and producers with buyers throughout Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. Buyers representing restaurants, universities, hospitals, lodgings and retail establishments can conveniently sample and source products from our rich agricultural region.
This year the Farm2Fork Affair will be held at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds on March 5 and is a collaborative effort of Shenandoah Valley economic development and tourism organizations. Prior to the event, a workshop will provide guidance to participating producers on how to create a professional display and effectively network with potential clients.

Governor Northram Announces Support for I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan

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On January 8, 2019, Governor Ralph Northam issued a press release announcing the administration and a group of bi-partisan legislators’ support for the I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan, and a I-81 Improvement Fund that would raise $2.2 billion for improvements along the interstate corridor. Interstate tolls would raise revenues for the Improvement Fund. The proposal would establish limits on toll rates, and give automobiles and small trucks the ability to purchase an annual pass allowing unlimited use of I-81 for a fixed yearly fee. Revenues collected would only be used for improvements included in the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Plan that was adopted by the Commonwealth Transportation Board at its December meeting.

The CSDPC, HRMPO, and SAWMPO all passed resolutions of support for the Improvement Plan and a dedicated funding source for the critical improvements to I-81. The resolutions were sent to our full General Assembly delegation in December, 2018. The Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program legislation will be patroned by Senators Mark Obenshain and Bill Carrico in the Senate, and by Delegates Steve Landes and Terry Austin in the House.

Read the Full release here. The Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Plan can be found at www.va81corridor.org.

New Staff Members: Rachel Salatin & Zach Beard

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We are pleased to announce that on January 2, Rachel Salatin joined our staff as our new  Fields of Gold Agritourism Coordinator and Zach Beard as a Transportation Planner.

For the past three years, Rachel Salatin has been the Executive Director of the Beverley Street Studio School. Prior to that, she was the Membership Coordinator for the Artisan Center of Virginia. Rachel has extensive experience with branding, marketing, social media and websites, and planning and hosting events and conferences. Rachel grew up on a local family farm, Polyface Farm in Augusta County, and has a deep appreciation and understanding of the region’s rich agricultural landscape. She is looking forward to supporting our small businesses and inviting visitors to enjoy our diverse and unique agritourism destinations.

Zach Beard is a native of Rockingham County, and joins the CSPDC after working for the West Virginia University Land Use and Sustainable Development

Law Clinic in Morgantown, WV. Prior to that, Zach worked as a local foods coordinator for our partners at the Highland Center in Monterey. Zach holds a master’s of Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia, and recently received his American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification. Zach will help staff our urban and rural transportation planning programs.