Tag Archives: economic development

Finding Funding for the Future: May Workshop Tackles Aviation and Affordable Housing

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The funding landscape for local governments has never been more complex—or more consequential. On May 13th, VAPDC is bringing together local government staff, economic developers, state agency partners, and EDA/IDA board members in Staunton for the next installment of Finding Funding for the Future, a workshop series built around one practical goal: helping regional partners compete more successfully for the resources that move communities forward.

This session features two deep dives that couldn’t feel more timely.

Cleared for Takeoff will examine innovative funding mechanisms for aviation infrastructure, drawing on real-world case studies that show how communities have secured—and used—resources to modernize and expand regional air capacity. Whether you’re new to aviation finance or already working on a project, you’ll leave with a clearer picture of what’s possible and how to pursue it.

Unlocking the Capital Stack turns to one of the region’s most pressing needs: affordable housing. Who actually funds housing development? How do federal, state, local, and private sources layer together—and where do competitive proposals typically fall short? This session breaks down the capital stack and highlights what approaches are working on the ground.

The event takes place at Hotel 24 South in Staunton. CSPDC encourages our member jurisdictions and regional partners to attend—registration is open now at this link.

Hot Off the Press: New Socio-Economic Data Profiles

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CSPDC supports regional economic development as a comprehensive resource for data about the region and our localities. Every other year, we publish easy-to-read data profiles covering people, jobs, schools, and other unique attributes for every locality and sub-region in the Central Shenandoah region. The profiles highlight the defining characteristics of a locality or sub-region, offering a quick but meaningful picture of what makes that area distinctive.

The 2025 Facts & Figures brochures are now available on the CSPDC website. Whether you’re researching workforce demographics, educational attainment, employment trends, or community assets, these updated profiles are your starting point for understanding the Central Shenandoah region. Visit the CSPDC website to download the latest edition for your locality.

CSPDC Joins Virginia PDCs on Capitol Hill

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Earlier this month, CSPDC participated in the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Policy Conference, held March 8–11 in Washington, DC. The conference brought together development district professionals from across the country to engage with federal policymakers on issues critical to regional communities.

As part of the conference, Virginia’s PDC community turned out in force for a luncheon meeting with Congressional staff from both Senate offices and three House representatives’ offices. The conversation centered on three priorities directly relevant to the work of regional planning districts and the communities we serve.

First, increased funding for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) — a cornerstone federal partner for economic resilience and regional development investment. Second, support for the BASICS Act, the current vehicle for surface transportation reauthorization, which shapes the framework for how federal transportation dollars flow to states and regions. Third, the Road to Housing Act, which addresses the national housing affordability and supply challenges that are equally pressing here in the Shenandoah Valley.

We also recently shared our Senators’ call for congressionally directed spending requests, and encourage our member jurisdictions to communicate your project ideas to their staff, and call on the PDC for assistance with your requests.

Save the Date: VAPDC Funding and Financing Workshop

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On May 13th, 2026, CSPDC will host the first of four super-regional workshops organized by the Virginia Association of PDCs (VAPDC). The day-long workshop is intended for local and regional economic development staff, lenders and developers to learn about funding and financing opportunities available from state and federal agencies for public infrastructure projects. The Virginia Resources Authority will provide a lunch-time keynote presentation.  

The workshop will take place at Hotel 24 South in Staunton. We look forward to sharing more details about registration and the final agenda this spring.  

A New Chapter for Buena Vista: Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Virginia Innovation Accelerator

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The City of Buena Vista officially welcomed a powerful new engine for economic growth on December 3rd, marking the culmination of years of collaborative effort. The Virginia Innovation Accelerator (VIA), housed in a revitalized former cigarette paper printing factory, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by The Advancement Foundation (TAF).

Since 2022, staff from the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) have worked closely with TAF to adapt and reuse this historic industrial building. The result is an inspired business hub poised to become a central force for agriculture value-added product development, small-scale manufacturing, and community revitalization.

The atmosphere at the event was lively, filled with the many individuals and organizations who helped bring the project to life. It was a powerful demonstration of how community partners, coming together, can turn visions into tangible realities. Mayor Tyson Coper of Buena Vista echoed this sentiment.

A key speaker at the event was Senator Chris Head, who highlighted the crucial importance of business hubs in fostering regional prosperity and shared successful examples he has witnessed.

Following the ribbon cutting, attendees gathered in the event space for a panel of entrepreneurs already utilizing the VIA. Testimonials showcased the hub’s diverse potential—from representatives of an agriculture tech company and a hobby mushroom grower who successfully transitioned to a mushroom farmer, to a talented baker. The collective energy of innovation and aspiration was evident.

The future looks bright and truly innovative for Buena Vista and the surrounding region, thanks to the VIA. The Virginia Innovation Accelerator is more than just a building; it is a collaborative platform designed to launch new businesses, support local food systems, and revitalize the community fabric.

Exciting news was shared during the celebration: Phase 3 of the project will include the development of 16 loft apartments, integrating residential living directly into this dynamic center of innovation.

We encourage everyone to visit the new location and witness this inspiring, innovative work firsthand!

CSPDC Housing Study Topic of JMU Stakeholder Discussion

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On April 29th, JMU’s Office of Economic & Community Development hosted a discussion session on the CSPDC’s Regional Housing Study. The session provided space for local housing planners, service providers, real estate, and finance partners to engage with the Housing Study’s data and recommended solutions more deeply. Twenty community leaders collaboratively worked through two case studies with the goal of identifying next steps community partners can pursue to address our region’s housing issues. This is the first of a series of quarterly discussion sessions JMU will host over the next year on a variety of pressing community topics.

GO Virginia Region 8 Hosts Project Pipeline Brainstorming Sessions

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GO Virginia Region 8 recently wrapped up a series of four Project Pipeline Brainstorming Sessions. Community members, employers, chamber representatives, economic developers, industry leaders, and other regional stakeholders came together to identify local needs, propose project ideas, and collaborate on solutions within GO Virginia’s key focus areas: startup ecosystems, cluster scale-up, workforce development, and site/infrastructure development. The sessions, held at Laurel Ridge Community College, the Shentel Center, the VA Innovation Accelerator, and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership office explored the GO Virginia grant process and upcoming funding opportunities while brainstorming potential projects that may be eligible for GO Virginia funding.

GO Virginia is a statewide business-led economic development initiative with funding to invest in collaborative projects that lead to high-paying jobs. The mission of GO Virginia is to encourage collaboration among business, education, and government. GO Virginia Region 8, one of nine regions in Virginia, includes the CSPDC’s ten cities and counties plus another 6 localities to the north.