The U.S. economy is continuing its recovery from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, notching 4% growth in GDP for the 4th quarter of 2020 (seasonally adjusted annualized rate). Consumer spending accounts for the lion’s share of gross product; at the close of 2020 over two-thirds of GDP was derived from consumer spending. Since consumption is a human behavior, what are consumers spending their money on during this recession, and do their emotions have any effect on the continued economic recovery?
HRTPO has recently released the 2020 version of the State of Transportation in Hampton Roads report. The State of Transportation report details the current status and recent trends for all facets of the transportation system in Hampton Roads, including air, rail, water, and highways. The State of Transportation 2020 Update also includes an analysis of the impacts of COVID-19 on the regional transportation system.
HRPDC staff recently launched a new Esri Story Map on HRGEO.org that provides an interactive summary of the organization’s multi-year effort to develop building first floor elevation data. First floor elevations (FFE) are important for identifying individual structures and areas of communities that are most at risk of flood damage. FFE data ultimately supports flood mitigation planning and evaluating solutions for communities and individual structures, such as installing flood vents or elevating homes.
A core function of the HRTPO, the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Hampton Roads area, is to develop and maintain a Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The LRTP is a blueprint for planned transportation improvements over a 20-year planning horizon based on the vision and goals of the region. Since 2016, HRTPO staff has been coordinating with regional stakeholders and the public to update the LRTP to the horizon year of 2045.
Spending time outdoors is one of the safest, socially-distanced activities one can do these days. With this in mind, askHRgreen.org and Keep Virginia Beautiful invite Hampton Roads neighbors to step outside, March 26-27, and join the Great American Cleanup by grabbing a trash bag and clearing litter from their community.
Have you ever heard of Warrosquyoake County? Did you know there used to be a City of Warwick, City of Nansemond, and City of South Norfolk?
There are currently 17 member localities of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission but in 1634, the colony of Virginia consisted of just eight original “shires,” five of which were in what is now considered Hampton Roads.
The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) and Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) fully comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice, and related nondiscrimination statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. HRPDC's website, www.hrpdcva.gov, and HRTPO's website, www.hrtpo.org, may be translated into multiple languages. Publications and other public documents can be made available in alternative languages and formats, if requested. HRPDC public meetings are always held in ADA-accessible facilities and in transit-accessible locations when possible. Auxiliary services can be provided to individuals who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Requests made within seven days will be accommodated to the greatest extent possible. Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice by HRPDC under Title VI has a right to file a formal complaint. Any such complaint may be in writing and filed with HRPDC's Title VI Administrator and/or the appropriate state or federal agency within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory occurrence. For more information on HRPDC's Title VI program, or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, please call (757) 420-8300 or email: kmiller@hrpdcva.gov.
