News

Virginia Telecommunications Initiative Grant Announced

Posted on by
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) grant for FY19. The primary objective of VATI is to provide financial assistance to supplement construction costs by private sector broadband service providers, in partnership with local units of government, to extend service to areas that presently are unserved by any broadband provider.

The goal is to enhance sustainability and competitive advantages of communities throughout the Commonwealth by preparing those communities to build, utilize, and capitalize on telecommunications infrastructure. Consistent with the enabling legislation, DHCD will award the $4 million FY 2019 appropriation to eligible applicants to provide last-mile services to unserved areas of the State.

October is Rideshare Month

Posted on by
In celebration of Rideshare Month, the CSPDC will be sending out Rideshare postcards and brochures to regional employers, as well as highlighting Vanpool!VA, a website launched by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation as a single resource for vanpool matching across the state.
RideShare is a program of the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission that provides outreach and other services to reduce single-occupant vehicles on the road by facilitating the use of alternative transportation, such as carpooling, walking, biking, and using transit.

Tour de Farm Unveils Logo

Posted on by
Tour de Farm is a developing bike-to-farm program that combines the Bike the Valley and Fields of Gold Farm Trail programs, both administered by the CSPDC, and is guided by a working group of bicyclists, Fields of Gold members, tourism staff, CSPDC staff, and community leaders.

The working group is identifying and mapping routes, determining potential Farm Trail stops along routes, creating a marketing plan, and identifying funding opportunities.

At a recent meeting of the working group, the Tour de Farm logo was unveiled. Pulling elements from both the Fields of Gold and Bike the Valley logos, the Tour de Farm logo is comprised of a bicycle wheel tread encircling the Blue Ridge Mountains, a rooster in the foreground, and a bold Tour de Farm ribbon with a golden bike gear as a focal point. The costs to create the logo were supported with funding from the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Ultimately, Tour de Farm route and event information will be available on both Bike the Valley and Fields of Gold websites and widely marketed and promoted.

CEDS Public Notice

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

17ef8209-4843-4f37-97af-b0ce88785bc9

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.