CSPDC Assisting Waynesboro Tree Project

The CSPDC Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) program will be receiving nearly $300,000 through the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to fund stormwater improvements for the City of Waynesboro’s South River Preserve Project. The funding will be used to replace five-acres of former industrial land and impervious surface along the South River with native tree and plant species to establish a floodplain forest and meadow.

Afton Express Rider Survey Update

In December 2023, the Afton Express bus service completed its second full-year of service. The commuter route has seen great success in this short amount of time. To ensure that we continue to meet the needs of current and prospective riders, Afton Express staff here at the CSPDC and at BRITE Transit collect and analyze different types of data throughout the year.

Housing Program Partners Continue Building in 2024

The CSPDC’s PDC Housing Development Grant is nearing its three-year mark in June 2024, and the seven partners that were awarded a total of $1.66 million in gap funding for their affordable housing developments have made significant progress over the past year. Given delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions, the deadline to complete all projects has been moved to June 2025. Upon completion, the grant will result in the development of 58 new units of affordable housing in the Central Shenandoah region. 

Rockbridge County Applies for 2024 VATI Program Funding

Rockbridge County leadership submitted three grant applications for the 2024 Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) program on December 19, 2023. The main focus of the VATI grants is to provide financial assistance towards service provider construction costs for projects that extend broadband to areas presently identified as unserved or underserved. These broadband expansion projects are done in partnership with local units of government.

VAPDC Winter Series: First Fridays in 2024

Don’t miss the next online sessions of the VAPDC Winter Series, February 9, 2024 & March 1, 2024. Each session will run from 12:00 - 1:00 PM.

FEBRUARY 9, 2024, 12:00-1:00 PM

Housing as an Economic Development Strategy

Virginia Housing recently released a study that explores linkages between housing and economic development. It identifies housing as an increasingly central factor in decisions that businesses make about relocation, expansion, and formation. Join us for an overview of the findings and recommendations for integrating housing and economic development strategies.

Presenter: Fabrizio Fasulo,

Director of Policy and Planning

Virginia Housing

March 1 topic to be announced.

Bonnie Riedesel Announces Her Retirement

Bonnie Riedesel announced her retirement as Executive Director of the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. She will retire in March 2024. Bonnie began working as a Regional Planner in 1994 and became Executive Director in 2008. 

In her 29 years at the CSPDC, Bonnie was instrumental in creating and collaborating on a number of important regional projects and programs, including Fields of Gold, Virginia’s first farm trail. Working with over 200 farmers and agri-businesses, Fields of Gold marketed the Shenandoah Valley as the premier agritourism destination in the state.  

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