News from the CSPDC Region

December 2022

Highland Kicks Off Outdoor Recreation Strategic Plan

 The Highland County Recreation Commission (HCRC) received a technical assistance grant through the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program to develop an outdoor recreation strategic plan for Highland County and the HCRC. The Strategic Plan will identify how the HCRC and its partners can enhance outdoor recreation facilities, develop new recreation opportunities, improve community health, and cultivate a community culture that values physical activity and the environment in Highland County. 

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Update on Regional Housing Study

In September, the CSPDC and Virginia Center for Housing Research (VCHR) concluded several months of focus groups and interviews with realtors, lenders, service providers, developers, universities, and employers for the Regional Housing Study. The focus groups were held in Buena Vista, Fishersville, Monterey, and through several virtual sessions. On October 26, the CSPDC and VCHR convened the Regional Housing Study’s Leadership Team for their second meeting to discuss the findings of the focus groups and determine next steps for data analysis.



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Olivia Raines Presents at Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference

This November, CSPDC Housing Program Manager Olivia Raines, was invited to present at the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference (VAGHC) in Arlington, VA. The conference was held November 16 – 18, and the theme was ‘Build, Expand, Achieve,’ with an emphasis on linking affordable housing to economic development goals.

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Virginia Completes Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Plan

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is assisting with investing a projected $100 million over the next five years to install public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Virginia through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program, which is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIL). 

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Ann Cundy Presents at AMPO Conference

CSPDC Director of Transportation Ann Cundy presented at the Association of MPOs (AMPO) Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN in October. She and PlanRVA Director of Transportation Chet Parsons developed a session with consultants Avid Core, Inc. around hybrid public involvement.

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CSPDC Collects for United Way’s Greatest Needs Drive

The CSPDC is giving back during the holiday season by serving as a collection site for the United Way’s Greatest Needs Drive. Each year the United Way of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County holds a donation drive to collect the items most needed by organizations in the community.



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Staunton Selects Beauregard as City Manager

Staunton City Council appointed Leslie Beauregard as City Manager in October. Ms. Beauregard joined the City of Staunton in October of 2019 as Assistant City Manager. She was appointed Interim City Manager in February of 2022. Ms. Beauregard has an extensive background in local government budget management and analysis, serving as Director of Budget and Performance Management for the City of Charlottesville for 12 years before becoming an assistant city manager in 2015, and served in various budget and management analyst roles of increasing responsibility for the City of Hampton.

Harrisonburg Names New City Manager

Harrisonburg City Council unanimously approved Ande Banks as the new City Manager for the City of Harrisonburg. Mr. Banks, a Harrisonburg native, has served as the City’s Deputy City Manager since 2017, and as the Interim City Manager since January 1. He replaces Mr. Eric Campbell who resigned from the position at the end of 2021. Before serving as Deputy City Manager, Mr. Banks served as Assistant to the City Manager from 2016 to 2017, and as the City’s Director of Special Projects and Grants Management from 2009 to 2016. Previously, he was district representative to a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001 to 2009.

CSPDC Hires New Regional Planner

Joshua Smoot was recently hired as a regional planner at the CSPDC and began work on November 9th. Joshua graduated from the Master of Public Administration program at JMU. The MPA program allowed him to collaborate with local government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations, where he found his passion for economic and community development. He has spent the last several years working with local community organizations to help further their strategic goals.



Joshua is originally from the Greater Richmond Region, but has lived and worked in Harrisonburg and Staunton since 2014. He currently lives in Staunton with his wife, Laurie, and their 3-year-old dog, Zoë. Joshua is excited to be serving the Central Shenandoah area, and looks forward to growing his family in this beautiful region.

CSPDC Job Openings

Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission seeks an experienced Finance Director to join our 16-member planning and leadership team.This senior-level position reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for directing and supervising the fiscal operations of the organization.


For consideration submit a cover letter, resume, and references to Executive Director, Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, 112 MacTanly Place, Staunton, VA 24401 or email to rita@cspdc.org. Position is open until filled. EOE

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