Tag Archives: Staunton

Watershed Wellness Stormwater Projects Complete in Lexington and Staunton

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Two area nonprofit organizations recently completed projects under the CSPDC Watershed Wellness Program. Watershed Wellness provides 100% no-match funding for the planning, design, and implementation of nature-based stormwater projects that address water quality and flooding, supported by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Boxerwood Education Foundation in Lexington installed a rainwater catchment system on its 1,200 square foot barn to support education and garden programs at its 15-acre facility. The system includes gutters and collection infrastructure to harvest approximately 28,000 gallons annually, addressing rainwater saturation that has caused soil erosion and structural damage around the barn. The collected rainwater will irrigate plantings in areas without water access.

Shenandoah Green worked with the Staunton Augusta YMCA (SAYMCA)00to improve a 0.35-mile segment of Lewis Creek at SAYMCA’s new facility on New Hope Road in Staunton. The improvements included planting 180 native riparian trees and vegetation along the stream. Shenandoah Green worked with a landscape engineer to design the site to improve its ecological function and make the stream publicly accessible.

The two-year program will award nearly $100,000 for stormwater planning and implementation projects across the region and  is accepting applications on a rolling basis until funds are expended. Learn more at: https://www.cspdc.org/programs-services/wip-iii/

VAPDC Hosts First Funding and Financing Workshop in Staunton

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On May 13, the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC) kicked off a series of four “Finding Funding for the Future” workshops across the state. VAPDC designed these day-long events for local and regional government staff to learn from State agency partners and their peers about securing grant funding and financing programs for community development projects.

CSPDC was the host region for the first workshop in Staunton. Focused on projects in the Shenandoah Valley, Roanoke and Charlottesville, the workshop featured presentations by regional airport executives in a session titled “Innovative Funding and Real-World Aviation Case Studies.” Shawn Crumlish with the Virginia Resources Authority gave a keynote presentation on the housing, drinking water, and resiliency programs they back with State funding through various loan programs. An expert panel of housing advocates titled “Making Affordable Housing Profitable – Innovative Capital Stacks” rounded out the day demonstrating funding strategies for housing projects including adaptive reuse/mixed use, faith-based building conversions, workforce housing, and rural affordable housing.

The next workshop takes place June 17 in Wytheville, followed by Fredericksburg on July 15th and Farmville on August 12th. For more information and to register for the sessions visit 2026 VAPDC Super Regional Workshops.

Afton Express Sees Ridership Surge

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The Afton Express recorded a 38% increase in ridership this February compared to February 2025, a milestone for BRITE Transit’s commuter route connecting the Central Shenandoah Valley to Charlottesville and Albemarle County.

The increase follows a marketing campaign that launched in fall 2025 and runs through the end of June, 2026. The Virginia  Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) provided grant funds for the campaign which  includes television and streaming commercials, interviews, and digital display advertising. Staff also engaged a professional photographer and a graphic designer to develop polished, consistent promotional materials for the route.

Afton Express also implemented a new schedule on December 1, 2025 to better align departure and arrival times with employer schedules and rider requests — another driver of the ridership surge. For more information on Afton Express, see our 2025 Annual Report.

 

CSPDC Selects New Contractor for BRITE Transit Operations

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The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) is pleased to announce the selection of Resource Management Systems, Inc. (RMS) as the new contractor for turnkey operations and maintenance of the BRITE Transit system. RMS will assume operations beginning July 1, 2026, under a five-year base contract with options to extend for up to nine years total.

RMS is a Georgia-based transit service provider with over 30 years of experience delivering public transportation, paratransit, and non-emergency medical transportation services to communities across the country. They are no strangers to regions like ours — RMS currently provides transit services to numerous rural counties and planning commissions across Georgia, giving them a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that come with serving rural communities. The CSPDC is confident that RMS’s experience and commitment to accessible, reliable transportation make them an excellent fit for BRITE and the communities we serve.

As recipients of federal and state funding, the CSPDC is required to conduct a fully open and competitive procurement at the end of each contract term. That process was completed this year, resulting in the award to RMS.

This transition also marks the close of a long and valued chapter with our outgoing contractor, Virginia Regional Transit (VRT). VRT has operated the BRITE system since before the CSPDC assumed oversight of the program, and their dedication to this region has been immeasurable. The hard work, institutional knowledge, and care that VRT’s team has brought to BRITE over the years has shaped the system into what it is today, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership and service.

As the June 30, 2026 contract end date approaches, the CSPDC will work closely with both VRT and RMS to ensure a seamless transition. Our top priority is continuity of service — riders should experience no disruption on July 1st. In fact, the most noticeable change may simply be some fresh, new vehicles on the road.

CSPDC Holds Inaugural State of Transit Event

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The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) hosted a “State of Transit” event to celebrate public transportation and highlight the accomplishments of the BRITE Bus system over the past year. The event brought together regional partners, stakeholders, and community members for an afternoon focused on reflecting on progress, discussing what lies ahead for transit in the region, and premiering BRITE’s “Value of Transit” video.

Attendees heard from voices in the transit community as CSPDC staff outlined recent service improvements, expanded partnerships, and efforts to improve accessibility across the BRITE network. The program emphasized how public transit continues to support access to jobs, services, and daily destinations throughout the region, while also sharing updates on the BRITE system and exploring what lies ahead.

The event concluded with the premiere of BRITE’s new “Value of Transit” video, which showcased the essential role public transportation plays in supporting regional mobility and quality of life. The video highlighted the many ways BRITE connects communities and reinforces the importance of continued investment in transit as a vital regional resource. You can view the video below.

Afton Express Begins Enhanced Commuter Schedule

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The Afton Express introduced a revised weekday schedule on December 1 to better support regional workers traveling between the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville. The updated schedule is designed to align with major employer shift times, provide additional service during peak periods, and offer more consistency across trips throughout the morning and evening.

These changes follow ongoing analysis of ridership trends and feedback from commuters since the service launched in 2021. The improved schedule aims to enhance flexibility and coverage for employees across the corridor while supporting continued growth in commuter transit use along I-64.

As the Afton Express continues to see strong ridership, growing 25% since last year, the new schedule is expected to further strengthen access to employment opportunities and improve regional connectivity. Updated schedule information is available on the BRITE Bus website.