Tag Archives: Bath County

Regional Leaders Gather to Share Legislative Priorities Ahead of 2026 General Assembly Session

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Left to Right: Delegate Terry Austin, Jeremy Holmes, Ann Cundy, and Senator Chris Head

On Monday, December 1st, local government administrators from Bath and Rockbridge Counties and the Roanoke Valley gathered at the historic Masonic Theater in Clifton Forge for a legislative lunch hosted by the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission and the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission.

Delegate Terry Austin and Senator Chris Head joined the roundtable discussion, listening as local leaders shared their perspectives on issues affecting their jurisdictions. The format allowed for candid conversation and meaningful dialogue between local governments and those who craft legislation in Richmond.

Attendees discussed a variety of municipal challenges, and common themes included housing, adequate funding for fire and rescue personnel and equipment, and maintaining local autonomy in land use decisions.

As the 2026 General Assembly Session approaches, the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission remains committed to facilitating these important regional dialogues and strengthening the connection between our member jurisdictions and their state representatives.

Recent Flood Mitigation Initiatives in the Region

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Image of a flooded road

July proved to be a busy month for regional flood preparedness efforts, with $652,160 awarded in state funding to regional partners and multiple applications submitted for post-disaster federal funding.

On July 2nd, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) announced Round 5 awards for the Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF), with three coming to our region:

  • CSPDC received $270,000 to develop a Regional Flood Resilience Plan, with nearly all of our localities participating. This plan will identify and prioritize flood mitigation projects for implementation, ultimately streamlining future grant applications and unlocking additional funding opportunities.
  • City of Waynesboro received $172,160 to update its Stormwater Capital Improvement Plan, building on previous drainage studies to identify and prioritize site-specific stormwater management projects. The plan will also support the city’s Chesapeake Bay water quality requirements.
  • Town of Craigsville received $210,000 to develop a local resilience plan. Through this planning process, the town will gain a more detailed and technical study of flood occurrences and a list of future projects to reduce the impact of flooding.

Several localities in the region have also submitted applications for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) following Hurricane Helene, including:

  • Bath and Highland Counties applied for funds to install a joint enhanced flood monitoring system with 14 real-time stream gauges connecting to West Virginia’s flood warning network, benefiting both local communities and neighboring areas.
  • City of Harrisonburg proposed major upgrades to stormwater infrastructure along the Chicago Avenue and Waterman Drive corridor to address chronic flooding, building damage, and safety hazards for motorists and pedestrians.

Note: Round 6 of the Community Flood Preparedness Fund is expected to open this fall.

Andy Seabolt Receives Stanley Everett Crigger Humanitarian Award

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The 2025 Virginia Emergency Management Symposium (VEMS) took place from March 17-20 in Roanoke, VA. During the event, Andy Seabolt, Bath County’s Emergency Services Coordinator, was honored with the Stanley Everett Crigger Humanitarian Award. This award recognizes an emergency management professional who has demonstrated empathy, kindness, and compassion in their work. It is named in memory of Stan Crigger, who exemplified these qualities throughout his career and in his service to both his colleagues and community. We congratulate Andy on this award.

VEMS is an annual event co-sponsored by the Virginia Emergency Management Association (VEMA) and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM). It provides a platform for discussing current trends, sharing information about the latest tools and practices in emergency management, and exploring advancements in homeland security. The symposium encourages collaboration among stakeholders from all levels of government, the private sector, public health, and other related fields to protect lives and property from disasters. The next symposium is scheduled for March 16-19, 2026, in Norfolk, VA.