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Issue 10, Summer 2023
Lou Ann Wallace
VAPDC President
pictures from the VAPDC summer conference
get to know...Crater Planning District Commission and
Accomack-Northhampton Planning District Commission
The Crater Planning District Commission (Crater PDC) serves the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Prince George, Surry and Sussex, and the Cities of Colonial Heights, Emporia, Hopewell and Petersburg.
 
The Crater PDC (Planning District 19) focuses its work in the areas of transportation, economic and small business development, the environment, and serving as the convener for major military-related discussions among the region’s communities. As a certified economic development district by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Commission oversees development and maintenance of the district’s five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to support economic growth within the region.

Crater also manages a Revolving Loan Fund Program for small businesses within the region and a Housing Development Program for the region. The PDC serves as a member of the Civilian Military Council for Ft. Gregg-Admas and is in the process of creating a Military Affairs Committee for the region.
 
The Crater PDC region is composed of just under 2,500 square miles and is home to 568,080 people (Weldon Cooper Center estimate, July 1, 2022). The Chair of the CVPDC is Michelle Johnson (Charles City County) and the Executive Director is E. Jay Ellington.
The Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission (A-NPDC) is composed of the counties of Accomack and Northampton, and the town of Chincoteague, in area of just over 660 square miles. Formed in 1970 and reorganized in 1973, the A-NPDC (Planning District 22) works to support local planning and community development and provide technical assistance to its members. The A-NPDC focuses on issues of regional importance, staffing the regional Housing Authority and the Eastern Shore of Virginia Housing Alliance.

Since its inception, the A-NPDC’s primary mission has been to respond to local government requests for assistance in the region. This has included helping the localities 1) develop policies, plans and regulations to manage growth and development; 2) facilitate development of affordable housing and healthy communities; and 3) protect and wisely use natural resources. The A-NPDC also brings emerging issues of regional importance to the attention of its members, facilitates problem-solving by convening stakeholders and identifying funding sources, and assists with outreach to residents on issues of local and regional concern.

It has been a strong partner for its member governments by assisting them with diverse community development projects; grant writing, including the $23 million RAISE grant for a 16-mile extension of the Eastern Shore Rail Trail; financing of a regional broadband network and formation of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority; and construction of the Tangier Medical Center.

The A-NPDC area has a population of 44,965 (Weldon Cooper Center estimate, July 1, 2022). The Chair of the A-NPDC Board is Harrison Phillips (Accomack County) and the Executive Director is Elaine Meil.
in the news
In May, nearly $60 million in 2023 Virginia Telecommunication Initiatives (VATI) funding was announced. Three of the top six grant awards were for projects in the Southside and West Piedmont PDCs. Additionally, West Piedmont PDC is expected to receive an additional award pursuant to a letter of intent for another project. All told, the PDC awardees were granted nearly half of the total funds allotted. The VATI 2023 funding comes on the heels of federal dollars granted (through VATI) to more than half of our PDCs during the VATI 2022 grant round.
upcoming events/calendar
August 9, 2023
August 24, 2023
August 13, 2023
September 29, 2023
Special VAPDC Board of Directors meeting
VAPDC Program Committee meeting
VAPDC Board of Directors meeting
Executive Directors Committee meeting
Would you like to see your PDC newsletter or job listings on the VAPDC website?
thank you to our Newsletter Sponsor!
Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions | Website
869 Lynnhaven Parkway, Suite 113 #244
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452