News
CEDS Public Notice
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) is seeking public comment on the draft Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The CEDS document is an economic development tool designed to leverage assets from across the Central Shenandoah Region to bolster the regional economy. The CEDS will prepare the CSPDC to pursue future funding opportunities with the Economic Development Administration and act as a roadmap for future economic development endeavors across the region.
The document, as well as the mandatory criteria used in the creation of the document, is available for review here or at the CSPDC Office, 112 MacTanly Place; Staunton, VA 24401. Comments may be submitted to the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission at elizabeth@cspdc.org or the above address. Comments will be accepted from September 12-October 12, 2018. The CEDS Committee will consider adoption of the CEDS document during the CSPDC meeting on October 15, 2018, at the CSPDC Office.
GO Virginia Region 8 Council Now Accepting Project Proposals
The GO Virginia Region 8 Council is pleased to announce that it is accepting proposals for projects to be funded through the State’s GO Virginia initiative. The Region 8 Council has approximately $1.6 million in GO Virginia funds to award to projects in the region. The upcoming application deadline is October 5, 2018, for per capita and enhanced capacity building proposals.
For a project to be considered by the Region 8 Council complete the application available on the Shenandoah Valley Partnership’s website at: https://theshenandoahvalley.com/govirginia/ Also at that link is an application guide that offers background information on GO Virginia and the Region 8 Council, provides the criteria for eligible projects, and outlines the application and award process.
September is National Preparedness Month
Annual Meeting Held
The CSPDC recently held its annual meeting at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel, with more than 60 people in attendance. Highlights of the event were keynote from Alex Tranmer, Camoin Associates on the CSPDC’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, presentations from staff, and the distribution of the FY 18 Year in Review.
We greatly appreciate the support of our sponsors for this event:
American Office
A. Morton Thomas & Associates, Inc.
Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P.
Draper Aden Associates
Hurt & Proffitt, Inc.
KFH Group, Inc.
Litten & Sipe, LLP
Timmons Group
Union Bank & Trust
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
Virginia Regional Transit (VRT)
DONATIONS: Joelle Zaretsky, Your Logo Here Promo’s, Inc.
BRITE Bus Launches New Website
BRITE Bus recently announced the launch of a new website featuring easy access to BRITE Bus information, particularly for mobile phone users. The site is located at www.britebus.org and includes real-time service alerts, schedules, fares, and information on all public transit services available in the Staunton, Waynesboro, and parts of Augusta County (SAW) region of Virginia. Designed and created by Vada Kelly and her team of professionals at Estland Design in Harrisonburg, VA, the website is user friendly and includes language translation functions. An interactive trip planning option is scheduled to go live in the next few weeks.
BRITE Bus provides fixed-route and ADA compliant Paratransit service in the SAW area. Services are administered by the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC), with operational recommendations provided by the BRITE Transit Advisory Committee. The new website is the latest major improvement to the BRITE Bus Transit System since the CSPDC assumed the administration in 2015. Since that time, BRITE Bus has accepted ownership of the BRITE transit facility in Fishersville; placed a fleet of nine new silver buses and one trolley into service; awarded a contract for transit service provision to Virginia Regional Transit; implemented route improvements; upgraded transit system bus stops, shelters, and signage; and initiated social media accounts to keep BRITE users up-to-date on important transit news.
For more information contact Nancy Gourley, nancy@cspdc.org (540)885-5174.