News
Farm2Fork Affair Showcases the Region’s Ag Producers
Over 50 Shenandoah Valley agricultural producers, including 14 Fields of Goldmembers, exhibited their products during the Farm2Fork Affair on March 5 at the Rockingham County Fair Grounds. Buyers representing restaurants, universities, hospitals, and retail stores throughout Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. were able to sample and source products from this rich agricultural region. The event was hosted by a collaborative effort of regional economic development and tourism departments.
The Fields of Gold Farm Trail also showcased a booth, promoting the almost 250 agricultural businesses that make up this trail.
First Cohort Completes BRCC Cyber Security Training
In 2018, the GO Virginia State Board awarded Blue Ridge Community College with a $200,000 grant to launch a Cyber Security Training Program. The CSPDC provides project management and grant assistance for this project.
The first cohort of 12 students completed their classroom training in February, 2019. Students will continue their studies with the Cybrary online training platform and assist with basic cyber risk assessments during their hands-on experience with Shenandoah Valley strategic IT consulting firms. Many of the students also earned their CompTIA Security+ certification along with their classroom training.
To welcome the second cohort of students, a new facility in Waynesboro will open this month. Graduates of the program will be placed in jobs that have an average wage of $54,000.
Rails to Trails Summit Held
Town mayors, trail advocates, and state, regional and local government staff gathered in Woodstock, Virginia on February 22 to create a vision for a 36-mile trail that would link eight towns following a discontinued rail line between the Town of Strasburg in Shenandoah County and the Town of Broadway in Rockingham County. Citizens from the Town of Woodstock incubated the idea and hosted the Summit. Attendees evaluated the economic feasibility of the trail, and discussed ways to expand local and state government support for the project. The CSPDC is partnering with neighboring regional commission, Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission, to support the effort.
GO Virginia Funds the Shihadeh Innovation Project
The GO Virginia State Board awarded $540,000 to Winchester Public Schools to renovate the former 50,000 square-foot John Kerr Elementary School into the Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center, an advanced facility for career and technical education programs. Winchester Public Schools and Clarke County Public Schools will provide the local funding match and partner with Lord Fairfax Community College Workforce Solutions and regional industries to implement the project.
Curriculum at the new center will be offered through a Professional Skills Academy, a Health Sciences Academy, and an Information Technology Academy. These academies will be supported by an expanded Work-Based Learning program to connect students to regional businesses filling high-wage jobs within these targeted industries. The seven-phase renovation project is scheduled to be completed in September of 2020.
GO Virginia Region 8 is comprised of the 16 localities in the CSPDC and the Northern Shenandoah Regional Commission regions. The CSPDC provides staff support to the Region 8 council and assists with GO Virginia project development and applications.
BRITE Bus Launches New Farecards
On March 4 BRITE bus began selling and accepting pre-paid farecards for the convenience of BRITE bus riders. These twelve-punch farecards are an alternative to needing exact change or a token to ride the bus and are available in 25 cent or 50 cent increments. Riders can purchase either a $3 (25 cent) or $5 (50 cent) card from the driver on the bus, at the BRITE Transit Facility or at the CSPDC offices. Farecards may be used for fare payment on the BRITE fixed routes or for BRITE Access service.
Learn more about the BRITE transit system from Transit Manager, Nancy Gourley’s, recent interview with WHSV TV3.