News from the CSPDC February 2022

News from the CSPDC Region

February 2022

HRMPO 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan

Harrisonburg-Rockingham Region Transportation Visioning

Transportation needs in the Harrisonburg Rockingham region are changing, and the Harrisonburg Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO) is offering residents an exciting opportunity to share community priorities that will shape the future of the region’s transportation network. HRMPO, which is staffed by CSPDC, is providing several ways for residents to convey input that will guide the development of the region’s 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) over the next year.

HRMPO is working with Avid-Core, a strategic communications firm based in Northern Virginia. Avid-Core will support the HRMPO throughout the 2045 LRTP process with a three-phase Public Engagement Plan.

Residents are invited to:

Take the Survey

Complete Article

Pandemic Recovery and Resiliency Plan

This spring, the CSPDC will release its Central Shenandoah Pandemic Recovery and Resiliency Plan. This plan was created through grant funding provided by the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (CARES Act) and administered through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Complete Article

Land and Water Conservation Grants Open

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is holding an open grant round for $11 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants from February 1 - March 15, 2022. LWCF is a reimbursement program for the acquisition and/or development of public outdoor recreation areas.

Complete Article

Open Grant Opportunities

There are several funding programs that are currently accepting applications. You may find these programs, as well as other grant opportunities, posted on the CSPDC’s online Grant Resource Guide.

Preservation Trust Fund (PTF) and Get Outdoors (GO) programs 3/11/2022
Virginia Tourism Corporation Virginia DMO Marketing Program 3/8/2022
Virginia Tourism Corporation Marketing Leverage Program 3/8/2022
Virginia Tourism Corporation Virginia Special Events and Festivals Program 3/8/2022
VA Department of Conservation and Recreation Land and Water Conservation Fund 3/15/2022
AARP Community Challenge Grant 3/22/2022
Economic Development Administration Economic Adjustment Assistance 3/31/2022
Economic Development Administration Indigenous Communities 3/31/2022
American Water Environmental Grant Program 3/31/2022

Visit our grant resource guide for more.

Grant Resource Guide

CSPDC Applies for Regional Housing Study

Two new housing-related initiatives are underway at the CSPDC. This month, CSPDC staff will submit an application for Virginia Housing Community Impact Grant funds to conduct a regional housing study. The CSPDC is eligible for $20,000 per city and county in the region, totaling $200,000 in grant funds. If awarded, the study will kick off in May 2022, and will span across a two-year period.

Complete Article

VDH Hosts Infrastructure Funding Webinar

Virginia Department of Health staff will present program details on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) programs: Drinking Water Infrastructure Construction Funding and Septic & Well Assistance Program at a virtual workshop March 16, 2022, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm. These programs have been funded through the Virginia General Assembly with funds provided by the Federal Department of the Treasury.

2021 Population Estimates Released

The University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center released its official population estimates for Virginia counties and independent cities this January. The Weldon Cooper Center’s estimates provide an accurate approximation of a locality’s population count on July 1, 2021. Government agencies use this data for funding allocations, planning, and budgeting purposes.

The CSPDC’s 2021 population estimate is 307,875. From the prior year, the region’s population grew by 664 people or .2%. Since the 2020 Census, Bath County experienced the greatest growth change.

Complete Article

Greg Campbell New Director of VA Department of Aviation

Governor Glenn Youngkin has appointed Greg Campbell, Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD) Executive Director, as the new Director of the Virginia Department of Aviation. The Department of Aviation, based at Richmond International Airport, administers assistance and coordination to Virginia’s 66 public use airports.

Greg has been the Executive Director of SHD since 1992. During that time, the airport facility has grown and evolved into a premier facility and a valuable asset for the Shenandoah Valley. The CSPDC has worked closely with Greg during the last three years to help SHD leverage state and federal funding to develop the Shenandoah Valley Aviation Technology Park. Greg begins his new role as Director of Aviation on February 14.

CSPDC Hires Regional Planner

Jeremy Crute was hired as a regional planner and began work on February 7th. Jeremy grew up in Panama City Beach, Florida, where he developed a passion for helping communities thrive. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Community Development from Covenant College and a Master’s in Urban & Regional Planning from Florida State University.

After graduating, he was hired by FSU to be the Senior Planner for the Florida Planning & Development Lab, where he has worked for the last six years. There he enjoyed serving communities across the state of Florida on a wide range of community development, housing, and transportation projects, and he is excited about serving the central Shenandoah Valley in the same way. Jeremy moved to Staunton and is looking forward to becoming a part of the community. In his free time, Jeremy enjoys hiking and backpacking and is happy to have traded Florida’s beaches for Virginia’s mountains.

CSPDC Resources:

COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard

Virtual Engagement Resource

Regional Facts & Figures

Regional Plans

Regional Data Center

FY 2020 Year in Review

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