Mountain Gateway/BV Awarded EDA Grant 

The development of Mountain Gateway Community College’s (MGCC) Workforce and Entrepreneurial Center just got a boost from a $3 million grant through the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Assistance to Coal Communities initiative. Funding will be used to renovate an existing building in downtown Buena Vista as a manufacturing training center and entrepreneurial innovation laboratory.

The project will expand the college’s capacity to deliver training and award industry credentials to meet local employers’ workforce needs in the areas of advanced manufacturing, machining, welding, HVAC, and diesel mechanics. 

Update on PDC Housing Development Grant

The PDC Housing Development Grant, which provides gap funds to affordable housing developers in our region, is well underway with seven partners across the region working toward the development of 60 new housing units.

Several projects, including Valley Supportive Housing’s Pump Street Apartments, Friendly City Development, LLC’s Suter Street Neighborhood Development, and Foley 11 LLC’s Foley Road Efficiencies Project, are in the process of completing engineering & design work and are awaiting permitting before breaking ground.



SAWMPO Study Targets Intersection Safety

The SAWMPO is beginning a new study to address priority safety concerns at six intersections in Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro. The study will evaluate safety improvements based on crash history, current and future traffic volume, roadway design, and other site characteristics to identify candidate projects for future grant applications through programs such as SMARTSCALE, TAP, Revenue Sharing, and the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The consultant-led study is expected to be complete in Spring 2023.

Go Virginia Region 8 Council to Consider Airport Proposal

The GO Virginia Region 8 Council will meet at Blue Ridge Community College on October 18 to consider a funding request from the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission for the continued development of the Shenandoah Valley Aviation Technology Park. The Airport Commission includes representatives from the counties of Augusta and Rockingham and the cities of Staunton, Waynesboro, and Harrisonburg. The proposed GO Virginia project will relocate utilities from the middle of the 58-acre site to its perimeter. 



Applications Open for  

FY23 Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) Planning Grant

Applications are now being accepted for the FY2023 Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) Planning Grant, which is available to help bolster early-stage projects, enable feasibility studies and other planning-related activities for potential IRF applicants in Spring 2023.

Applications must be received no later than 11:59 PM on November 04, 2022. Please review the FY2023 IRF Planning Grant Guidelines and the How-to-Apply webinar recording for additional details before submitting an application. If you have any questions, please email realestate@dhcd.virginia.gov

Maury River’s Scenic River Designation Celebrated 

Rockbridge Outdoors along with Rockbridge County, The City of Lexington, and The City of Buena Vista will commemorate the Maury River’s designation as a Virginia Scenic River this October. The local jurisdictions are throwing a community ceremony and reception at Jordan’s Point Park on October 16^th at 2:00 pm. In early April, legislation passed to designate the remaining portion of the Maury River as a Virginia Scenic River. Now the entirety of the Maury, which flows through Rockbridge, Lexington, Buena Vista, and Glasgow, is part of the statewide program. 

Bath County Hires New County Administrator

Following a nationwide search, Bath County’s Board of Supervisors has named Michael Bender as the County Administrator. A native of Chesterfield, Virginia, Mr. Bender has over 28 years of experience in public service. He most recently served as a Division Commander for the Richmond, Virginia Police Department.  

Region 8 Council Welcomes New Executive Director

At its October meeting, the GO Virginia Region 8 Council will welcome its new Executive Director, Deborah Flippo of MDM Flippo Consulting, LLC. Ms. Flippo brings 31 years of marketing and business experience to the position, working regularly with local, regional, and state economic development organizations. 

CSPDC Holds Staff Retreat

The CSPDC held its annual staff retreat at Montgomery Hall Park in Staunton for a group picture painting session with art instructor, Noelia Nunez. As part of the staff retreat, a webinar on cyber security in the workplace will be held later in the month.

CSPDC Job Openings

Planner I/Planner II - This position provides planning services for localities which may include a broad range of services such as economic development, transportation, transit, environmental, emergency management, housing, recreation, and capacity building.