News from the CSPDC Region
February 2021
Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail Feasibility Study
 
The Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail Partnership is working with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to evaluate the feasibility of acquiring an out-of-service Norfolk Southern rail corridor, approximately 50 miles in length, between Broadway and Front Royal, Virginia. CSPDC is a member of the Rail Trail Partnership, and is assisting DCR with stakeholder input sessions and data gathering.  

BRCC Cyber Security Jobs Program  

In 2018, with the support of GO Virginia funds and the cities of Waynesboro and Harrisonburg, Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) developed a non-credit cyber security workforce development program to help establish high-wage, high demand cyber security jobs in the region. Since the start of the program, five cohorts, totaling 69 students, have participated in cyber security credentialling classes and on-the-job training with private industry partners. 
I-81 Truck Parking
Task Force 

CSPDC staff continues to participate in Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) I-81 Truck Parking Task Force that is working to expand public and private truck parking facilities along I-81. The Task Force, formed in August 2020, is the result of a recommendation from the I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan and is comprised of representatives from VDOT, DMV, private travel center owners, economic development authorities, trucking associations, and local and regional government and planning agencies.
SMART SCALE Applications 

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) shared a preliminary list of transportation projects recommended for funding through the SMART SCALE program with the Commonwealth Transportation Board last month. The CSPDC, HRMPO, SAWMPO, and our member jurisdictions were very successful this round, with 16 projects recommended for funding out of 21 applications submitted. Projects are multi-modal in scope and include park and ride lot improvements, transit stops, shared use paths, roadway safety enhancements and interstate access.
Telework Survey

The CSPDC in cooperation with the University of Virginia and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, is conducting a public survey to determine the need for a Coworking Space located in the Fishersville area. This survey will ascertain the demand for a Fishersville collective workspace that would include convenient access to major highways and Interstate 64, private secured offices or shared work areas, reliable high-speed internet access, communal office amenities and free onsite parking. Responses to this survey will assist decision makers in further developing this potential Coworking Space.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information Resources

The Virginia Department of Health’s Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) is responsible for distributing the COVID-19 vaccine throughout the CSPDC region. The CSHD has launched several helpful resources to ensure accurate information about vaccine distribution reaches the public. Residents can sign-up for CSHD’s weekly COVID-19 e-newsletter  or obtain further up-to-date information from the COVID-19 vaccine webpage. For those who would like to ask questions over the phone, CSHD holds phone-in office hours on Monday and Wednesday at 7:00 pm. To participate, dial 1-844-992-4726 and enter access code 132 173 5589.
Highland County State Park Feasibility Study 

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is conducting a feasibility study on the development of a state or regional park in Highland County. On January 26, CSPDC staff and stakeholders from DCR, Virginia Outdoors Foundation and Friends of Highland State Park toured the potential park site on Hayfields Farm in McDowell.
New CSPDC Fiscal Technician, Patricia Lancey 

The CSPDC is pleased to announce that Patricia Lancey has been hired as CSPDC’s Fiscal Technician. Pat acquired her Associate in Applied Science in Accounting degree from Piedmont Community College. She has more than 20 years of progressive accounting and management experience in public and private sectors. Pat resides in Stuarts Draft with her husband Scott and two cats.
CSPDC Resources: