Ann Cundy Hired as New Executive Director

The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission has selected Ann Cundy to serve as the new Executive Director of the CSPDC. Ann has served the CSPDC for over 11 years, most recently as the Director of Transportation where she managed the agency’s transportation and transit programs. Her new position took effect April 1. She follows Bonnie Riedesel who retired after working at the CSPDC for 29 years and serving as its Executive Director since 2008.

Senator Warner Visits Staunton 

On a tour through the Shenandoah Valley on March 26, Senator Mark Warner stopped in Staunton to talk with local officials about the future of passenger rail in the region. Amtrak has been awarded $500,000 to identify and study potential improvements to the Cardinal Service which currently serves the Downtown Staunton station three days a week. The study is funded through the Corridor Identification and Development Program with funds allocated to the Federal Railroad Administration from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  

Industrial Revitalization Fund Awarded to Buena Vista 

On March 29, Governor Glen Youngkin announced the award of seven Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) grants totaling over $10M. The City of Buena Vista (BV), who applied for additional funding support for the Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) Wilson Workforce Development Center project, received an FY 2024 IRF award totaling $650,000.

CSPDC Supports HC4FD with Grant Application

The CSPDC recently aided Hose Company #4 Fire Department (HC4FD) leadership with their submission for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The HC4FD applied for $1.5M in funding to purchase a new rescue engine and equipment. The HC4FD has been serving the citizens of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County since 1890. Their first due area consists of 140 square miles which includes the communities of Belmont, Cross Keys, Keezletown, Lacy Springs, Lakewood, Linville, Massanetta Springs, McGaheysville, and Shen Lake along with 12 miles of Interstate 81.

DHCD IRF Program Applications Open Through May 31

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) opened their FY 2025 Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) grant application timeframe on April 1, 2024. The IRF program aims to transform vacant, non-residential buildings from a physically and economically blighted state to structures that drive commercial success, community revitalization, and job creation.

Qualifying facilities include ones previously used for manufacturing, logistics, power production, and mining. Additionally, large-scale buildings like shopping centers, schools, mixed-use (as long as 30% of the project is commercial), department stores, hotels, and theaters are eligible properties. Local governments, including economic/industrial development authorities, are eligible to submit applications for the IRF program.

RTP Grant Applications Accepted Through May 7

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is accepting applications for the 2024 Virginia Recreational Trails (RTP) grant now through May 7, 2024, with approximately $1.9 million in RTP funding available.

The Recreational Trails Program is an 80-20 matching reimbursement program for building and rehabilitating trails and trail-related facilities. Funded by the Federal Highway Administration and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the program mandates allocations in non-motorized, diversified and motorized trail categories. City, county, town, tribal or other government entities may apply. Registered nonprofit groups partnered with a government body are also eligible.

PDC Housing Development Program Update

The CSPDC’s PDC Housing Development Grant, which awarded a total of $1.66 million in gap funding for seven affordable housing developments in the region, has made significant progress in recent months. As of April 2024, 27 of the 58 planned affordable housing units have been completed and are either occupied or prepared for occupancy, with the remaining 31 under construction or in pre-development.

Attend the Spring 2024 Staunton District CTB SYIP Meeting

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) will conduct a public meeting in the VDOT Staunton Construction District to give citizens the opportunity to provide comments on projects and programs to be included in the Fiscal Year 2025-2030 Six-Year Improvement Program (FY2025-2030 SYIP), including highway, rail and public transportation initiatives. These projects and programs represent important improvements to address safety, congestion and preservation of Virginia’s transportation network.

CSPDC Seeks Director of Transportation

The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) is seeking a Director of Transportation who directs the work of the Transportation Planning and Public Transit Program. The Director of Transportation oversees and manages all aspects of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, the BRITE Public Transit System, the Transportation Demand Management/Mobility Program, the Rural Transportation Planning Program, and the Region’s Bicycle-Pedestrian Program. Please visit the CSPDC website for additional information at www.cspdc.org. 

Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission | 540-885-5174

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