Tag Archives: lexington

Business Innovation & Funding Forum Connects Local Entrepreneurs with Resources

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On January 15, the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) participated in the Business Innovation & Funding Forum, a collaborative event co-sponsored by the Rockbridge Shenandoah AFCEA Chapter and the Chamber of Commerce Serving Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County. The evening forum, held at the Rockbridge Innovation Center, brought together local businesses, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations to explore critical funding opportunities and innovation resources available in our region.

CSPDC Director of Planning Jeremy Crute joined an expert panel alongside Chuck Kirby of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), Lee Harris from the Virginia Mechanical Preservation Society (VMPS), and Ryan Hall of the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund (SCCF). The panel discussion focused on equipping local innovators and entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully pursue federal and state funding for business development, workforce initiatives, and innovation projects.

The forum addressed key topics including grant opportunities, funding resources for business initiatives, and workforce development programs. Panelists shared practical insights on navigating the application process and positioning projects for competitive success in securing public and private funding.

The strong turnout reflected the growing interest among local businesses and organizations in accessing funding opportunities to fuel growth, innovation, and workforce development in our region.

Rocks to Roofs: A Housing Symposium for Tomorrow

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Community leaders, developers, policymakers, and housing advocates will soon convene on Tuesday, October 21, from 8:30a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, to explore the area’s most pressing housing challenges. Through presentations from Virginia Housing, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and other partners, attendees will explore ways to advance housing opportunities across the Rockbridge area.

The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) will also share its findings and housing solutions from its Regional Housing Study. In February, the CSPDC released its Regional Housing Study, funded by Virginia Housing and developed in partnership with Virginia Tech’s Center for Housing Research and HousingForward Virginia. The study offers an in-depth analysis of housing markets across the Central Shenandoah region and presents locally tailored strategies to address housing needs.

Rockbridge-area solutions featured in the study include:

  • Empowering Economic Development Authorities to support housing development
  • Expanding incentives for residential construction and rehabilitation
  • Laying the groundwork for high-quality mixed-use development

Rocks to Roofs: A Housing Symposium for Tomorrow is a collaboration between Virginia Housing, Rockbridge County, Cities of Buena Vista and Lexington, Rockbridge Highlands Realtors Association, Central Shenandoah Planning District, and The Chamber of Commerce, Serving Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County. The official speaker lineup will be announced soon.

To learn more or register:
🔗 Rocks to Roofs: A Housing Symposium for Tomorrow

To explore additional materials related to the Regional Housing Study, visit our CSPDC Connects page.

Lexington Cuts Ribbon on North Main Street

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Image of a group of people standing across a road while the Secretary of Transportation cuts a ceremonial ribbon

The City of Lexington celebrated the completion of a transformative streetscape project on August 27th with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Members of the Virginia House of Delegates, the Secretary of Transportation and the entire 7th grade class from nearby Lylburn Downing Middle School were the honored guests who cut the ribbon across the North Main Street streetscape project. CSPDC worked with City of Lexington and VMI in 2016 to submit a SMART SCALE application for the $4.1 million six-block project, which stretches along U.S. 11 Business from Massie Street to Hook Lane. The street reconfiguration widened the east-side sidewalk by five feet to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and replaced on-street parking with a dedicated four-foot bike lane on the west side. The work also included replacing underground utilities and improving connections to the Chessie Trail and Washington and Lee University.

Lexington Completes Housing Assessment

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Summit Design and Engineering has presented the results of a city-wide Housing Conditions Study for Lexington to Threshold, Lexington’s Housing Commission. Funded by a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Planning Grant, the Housing Conditions Study assessed the state of residential properties across the City.

Summit’s team conducted a windshield survey in late October, evaluating nearly 2,100 residential properties from the public right-of-way. Each property was rated on a scale from one (in good condition) to five (appearing dilapidated). The findings revealed that 72 properties scored a three or higher, indicating significant wear or neglect, with these properties spread throughout Lexington.

In addition to the windshield survey, the study gathered input from local staff, real estate professionals, residents, and housing advocates, along with demographic data. Some of the findings included a high vacancy rate of 21%, primarily due to second homes, and that 44% of households are considered cost-burdened, spending 30% or more of their income on housing.

The study identified two main challenges: preserving and rehabilitating the current housing stock, and addressing barriers to new housing development. To tackle these issues, Summit recommended diversifying the housing stock and creating a targeted program to address the city’s most dilapidated properties.

This study is a critical step in advancing Lexington’s housing goals, as it helps to identify opportunities for revitalizing underused properties—a key solution highlighted in the CSPDC’s Regional Housing Study. With these insights in hand, the city can continue to build momentum toward improving housing conditions for all residents.

The full study is available on the Threshold Housing Commission’s webpage: : https://www.lexingtonva.gov/government/boards-and-commissions/threshold.