Welcome to the CSPDC

The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) represents and serves the local governments of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge, and Rockingham counties and the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro as well as the 11 towns within the Central Shenandoah region.

The CSPDC works with its member jurisdictions, communities and agencies to provide high-quality planning, technical assistance, and facilitation of services that address local, regional and state needs in an innovative, timely and cooperative manner. Covering everything from land use planning, transportation, water and waste-water utilities, natural resource management, affordable housing, economic and community development, disaster mitigation and preparedness, agritourism to human services, the CSPDC is an invaluable asset to the quality of life in the Shenandoah Valley. For more information about the CSPDC, click here.

CSPDC Partners with Virginia Energy Sense to Bring Energy Efficiency Resources to the Region

Posted on March 19, 2026March 19, 2026 by Paula Melester

The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) is excited to announce a new partnership with Virginia Energy Sense, Virginia’s statewide energy education program, to connect residents and local partners across our region with free energy efficiency tools, tips, and resources.

Virginia Energy Sense operates under the guidance of the Virginia State Corporation Commission and is dedicated to helping Virginians reduce their energy use and save money — without sacrificing comfort. Through this partnership, the CSPDC will work to distribute Virginia Energy Sense’s educational materials to households, businesses, and community organizations throughout the planning district.

Whether you own your home, rent, or manage a business, Virginia Energy Sense has resources tailored for you. Their website offers guidance on do-it-yourself home energy audits, seasonal energy-saving tips, information on energy-efficient products, and a comprehensive directory of available incentives and rebates from federal, state, and utility providers that can help offset the cost of energy-efficient upgrades.

We encourage all residents and community partners to explore the free resources available at virginiaenergysense.org and to subscribe to their newsletter for ongoing energy-saving tips delivered straight to your inbox.

CSPDC Honored at ACEC Virginia Engineering Excellence Awards

Posted on February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 by Paula Melester

Pictured Left to Right: Jeff LaHood, Jon Oliver, Chloe Harwood, Paula Melester, Ann Cundy, Duncan Stewart, and Alan Saunders

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia recognized CSPDC with a Merit Award for the Lewis Street Transit Hub Project at the 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on February 5th. The gala, held at the Dewey Gottwald Center at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, celebrated outstanding engineering achievements across the Commonwealth. CSPDC’s Executive Director, Ann Cundy and Director of Transportation Paula Melester joined Lewis Street Hub project team members Duncan Stewart (MBP), Alan Saunders (DRPT), and Chloe Harwood, Jeff LaHood, and Jon Oliver (all of Kimley-Horn) for the evening’s festivities. Paula and Jeff LaHood accepted the award on behalf of the project team.

The Lewis Street Transit Hub, completed in August 2024, represents a significant investment in BRITE Transit’s regional infrastructure and passenger experience. The Merit Award recognizes the project’s achievement in innovation, complexity, and value — a testament to the strong collaborative effort among CSPDC, Kimley-Horn, MBP, and DRPT throughout planning, design, and construction. CSPDC is proud to share this recognition with all the partners who helped bring this important transit facility to life.

Bath County Awarded $75,000 Housing Rehabilitation Planning Grant

Posted on February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 by Paula Melester

Bath County has been awarded a $75,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Planning Grant by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to conduct a county-wide housing assessment to identify properties eligible for housing rehabilitation assistance. The grant will fund a comprehensive windshield survey as well as targeted home inspections to document existing housing conditions and rehabilitation needs.

According to the 2023 American Community Survey, 21.1% of Bath County residents live below the poverty line, more than double the statewide average. In addition, more than 200 households are cost-burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing, with at least one-third of those households allocating more than 50%. Many of these households include low-income seniors, single-earner families, and renters with extremely limited incomes. With few affordable housing options available, residents in Bath County may be at risk of displacement or homelessness if their homes become unsafe or uninhabitable.

Through this planning process, Bath County and its partners will be well positioned to develop targeted housing rehabilitation strategies to preserve existing housing stock. Bath County Administrator Mike Bender expressed appreciation for the award, stating, “We welcome efforts to support our citizens and are grateful to the Planning District Commission for assisting Bath County with this important work.”