Regional Recycling Infographic Fact Sheet Available

Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission:

“The TJPDC has produced an infographic fact sheet title “What We Recycle”. This sheet presents statistics from the Thomas Jefferson Solid Waste Planning Unit’s Recycling Rate Report for 2013. The recycling rate of 39.9% was approved by Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on June 5, 2014. The Thomas Jefferson Solid Waste Planning Unit includes Albemarle County, Fluvanna County, Greene County and the City of Charlottesville.”

For more information, click here.

~TJPDC

USDOT's Proposed Rulemaking on Statewide, Nonmetropolitan, and Metropolitan Planning

National News:

“On June 2, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) published the 'Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Transportation Planning; Metropolitan Planning' Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The NPRM is a joint effort by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) included several new provisions for statewide, nonmetropolitan, and metropolitan planning. It establishes, for the first time in statute, a formal definition and scope of work for Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs) to serve outside the boundaries of Metropolitan Planning Organizations. MAP-21 also elevates the level of participation of nonmetropolitan from 'consultation' to 'cooperation' in the statewide transportation planning process."

~NADO, National Association of Development Organizations

Click here to NADO's website

Annual Recycling Report Submitted to DEQ

Central Shenandoah PDC:

“The CSPDC submitted the 2013 recycling rate report for the Augusta County Service Authority on April 30th, 2014 to the Virginia Department of Environment Quality (DEQ). DEQ has recently concluded their review of the submitted report and has approved the region's recycling rate of 38.9%, a 5.6% increase from last year's rate of 33.3%. The Augusta County region is comprised of Augusta County, the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro, and the Town of Craigsville. The region is required to have a recycling rate of at least 25%.The recycle rate increase can be attributed to a 68% rise in reported recycled metals and a slight increase in most other categories.”

~CSPDC

Rail, bus ridership up across Hampton Roads

Hampton Roads:

“During the past decade, Hampton Roads has seen a bump in rail and bus ridership, while airports have seen fewer flights and passengers, according to a draft state of transportation report presented to the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization board at its Thursday monthly meeting.

The region also has more people, more licensed drivers and more vehicles than in 2013, and it ranks among the nation's worse in terms of traffic congestion and commuter delays, said Keith Nichols, HRTPO senior transportation engineer.

The report covers air, rail, transit and road travel in the region's cities and counties. It also reviews the condition of roads, the cost of travel and congestion, safety and fuel prices.

Nichols said the greatest surprise was the 80 percent increase in Amtrak ridership. In 2012 Amtrak began offering rail service from Norfolk, and analysts expected ridership to drop at the peninsula's two stations in Newport News and Williamsburg.”

~Writes Cathy Grimes of the Daily Press

Click here to read this column

Environmental Finance Center to Host Workshop

Central Shenandoah PDC:

“The CSPDC is assisting the University of Maryland's Environmental  Finance Center (EFC) in hosting a workshop in the region that will provide information and resources for financing effective stormwater management programs.  The goal of the workshop is to build capacity in the Shenandoah Valley for implementing effective programs to protect and improve the quality of water in local streams, such as Blacks Run in Harrisonburg, the South River in Waynesboro, Lewis Creek in Staunton, the Maury River in Buena Vista, and others. 

 

The workshop will cover topics relevant to both the Virginia Stormwater Management Program, which regulates post-construction stormwater runoff from construction sites, as well as financing strategies for localities that operate Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer Systems (MS4).  EFC and other experts will speak on topics ranging from assessment tools to innovative marketing strategies.

In addition, this workshop will provide a unique opportunity for municipalities to share successes, challenges, and ideas for implementing successful stormwater programs.  The workshop is funded by the Chesapeake Funders Network.  It will be held at James Madison University's Festival Conference Center on May 22nd from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ”

~Central Shenandoah PDC

Visit the event page for registration and agenda - click HERE. 

Biking in the Valley Featured in Virginia Business Magazine

Central Shenandoah PDC:

“With more than 1,000 miles of scenic country roads and an extensive network of greenways and trails that cut through the nearby George Washington National Forest, the Shenandoah Valley is gaining national recognition as a premier biking destination. ‘Biking is probably the single biggest recreational asset we have,’ says Kyle Lawrence, president of the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition, a local advocacy group. Read more in Virginia Business about the Valley's terrain and scenic views that make it a truly unique recreational asset.”

~Central Shenandoah PDC

Fields of Gold Receives Chamber Tourism Award

Central Shenandoah PDC:

“On April 8th, Bonnie Riedesel and Elizabeth McCarty accepted the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Tourism Business award for the Fields of Gold agritourism program.  The awards were given at the Chamber's Annual Business and Awards Ceremony held at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel.  The Chamber awards recognize outstanding individuals, businesses, and organizations in the community.  Awards were presented to: Outstanding Industry; Outstanding Small Business; Outstanding Community Organization; Outstanding Tourism Business; Outstanding Citizen; Outstanding Agriculture Business;Sponsor of the Year; Volunteer of the Year; and Ambassador of the Year.”

~Central Shenandoah PDC

Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission Receives NADO Innovation Award

Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission:

In 2013, The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission was an Innovation Award “from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation for its 2013 Regional Report Card: A Compilation of Regional Cooperative Initiatives & Activities. This marks the 6th time since 2007 that the Regional Commission has received an Innovation Award, which recognizes regional development organizations for improving the economic and community competitiveness of our nation's regions and local communities.

In addition, the Regional Commission's Executive Director, Wayne Strickland, was elected to the NADO 2013/2014 Board of Directors. The NADO Board of Directors oversees the association's budget and operations and develops policy on issues affecting regional development organizations. ‘We are honored to have Wayne Strickland serve on NADO's Board of Directors.  Wayne brings a wealth of expertise, knowledge and leadership on regional community and economic development issues to the national level,’ stated Joe McKinney, NADO Executive Director.  ‘Most importantly, Wayne is focused on helping our nation's local communities pursue comprehensive regional strategies for remaining economically competitive in today's rapidly changing global environment.’”

~ VAPDC

Click here to learn more from NADO

Click here for the Report Card Document

TJPDC Announces New Executive Director

Thomas Jefferson PDC:

“The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles P. "Chip" Boyles, II, as its new Executive Director. Mr. Boyles brings over 20 years of local government management experience to the position. He most recently is serving as the Vice President of Programs and Administration for the East Baton Rouge (Louisiana) Redevelopment Authority. He also has served as Director of the Office of Community Development for the City of Baton Rouge/East Baton Rouge Parish Government, a combined city/county government in Louisiana, where he was responsible for over 100 grant/loan contracts.

Mr. Boyles began his career as a community/economic development coordinator at the Lowcountry Council of Governments in South Carolina. He has led a number of communities as both a city and town manager in Maryland and South Carolina, was Chief Operating Officer for a start-up nonprofit serving communities and universities in college towns, and worked for the state municipal association in South Carolina. He begins his duties April 15.”

~ TJPDC

Click here for the full press release

New Routes Studied for Harrisonburg Public Transit

Central Shenandoah PDC:

“The CSPDC and the Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation, along with the consultant team from Renaissance Planning Group have been coordinating a Harrisonburg Transit Study through the Harrisonburg Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO). The purpose of the Study is to examine a new route to Rockingham Memorial Hospital and to reconfigure existing routes to improve efficiency. Harrisonburg currently has five city lines and would like to add a sixth. Route 1 is the busiest bus line in the city and serves downtown, the James Madison University (JMU) campus and the south and eastern portions of the city, including the Valley Mall and frequently experiences delays. Route 2 serves Rockingham Memorial Hospital and covers from downtown Harrisonburg and the JMU campus throughout the east and south of the city.

Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation (HDPT) is proposing to add a new route which will be referred to as Route 0. This line will likely service both the Valley Mall and Rockingham Memorial Hospital covering downtown, JMU and along Port Republic Road. The existing Routes 1 and 2 will be reconfigured slightly, and all three lines will provide increased coverage throughout the city and surrounding neighborhoods. This spring HDPT will hold a public workshop to present the new route and take comments on the proposal. The Harrisonburg Transit Study is expected to be completed in June and approved changes to the transit system go into effect sometime in the late summer.”

~ Central Shenandoah PDC

Bath-Highland Select Broadband Consultant

Central Shenandoah PDC:

“In January 2014, the Bath-Highland Telecommunications Management Team (TMT) led by CSPDC Regional Planner Robert Huff, solicited proposals for professional broadband telecommunications planning services. A selection committee made up of several TMT members reviewed eight proposals and invited three firms to interview. Consulting Gateway Corporation (CGC), in association with Dewberry Engineers, Inc., was selected to develop the plan. CGC has provided multiple options that the TMT reviewed at their March meeting in order to make service contract recommendations to local officials. 

The TMT is a group of about 30 individuals that have been tasked with improving Bath-Highland broadband services. The TMT acquired state funding  for the preparation of a comprehensive Community Telecommunications Plan, which will include a needs assessment analysis, broadband education and application development, last mile connectivity solutions, preliminary engineering and cost estimates, organizational and operational recommendations, and funding strategies for future implementation projects. The plan is expected to be completed in late summer 2014.”

~ Central Shenandoah PDC

Stormwater Projects Funded for Central Shenandoah Localities

Central Shenandoah PDC:

“The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality recently announced the first recipients of the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund. The Fund was established in 2013 to provide matching grants to local governments for the planning, design, and implementation of stormwater best management practices that cost effectively reduce pollutant loads to local waterbodies. The cities of Waynesboro and Lexington were awarded funds to construct stormwater treatment facilities with the goal of improving local water quality and meeting Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction goals. Waynesboro will receive $850K for a constructed wetland, and Lexington will receive $225K to construct stormwater management practices at a new school.  For additional information on these projects, please contact the locality's stormwater program division.”

~ Central Shenandoah PDC

Job Posting: Transit Program Coordinator/Transportation Planner.

Central Shenandoah PDC:

“As a professional member of a regional planning staff this position would primarily be responsible for the planning and administration of a regional transit service program and performing transit planning work for the rural transportation program and two metropolitan planning organizations within the district. Duties include writing and administering grants through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transit (DRPT) and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), providing oversight and project management of a contracted regional transit provider, developing and managing budgets for the public transit programs, conducting various planning studies related to transit, and managing a transportation demand management program for the region.  Effective knowledge of TDM strategies, FTA/DRPT operations, and MPO planning is desirable. Employee will also be required to provide staff support to advisory boards, councils, and committees.  Duties may include preparing reports and making presentations to elected officials, boards, committees, and outside organizations, including outreach and coordination to transit funding partners.  Applicants must possess the ability to carry out planning projects independently and to work well with local, state, and federal staff and the general public. Strong oral and written communication skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc. is required.  Master’s degree in planning or related field preferred, equivalent combination of education and work experience accepted. Local and/or regional planning experience and knowledge of FTA and DRPT grant programs a plus.  Salary:  $48,000-56,500 depending on qualifications.

To apply, send a resume with references to Bonnie S. Riedesel, Executive Director, Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, 112 MacTanly Place, Staunton, Virginia  24401 or bonnie@cspdc.org.  Position opened until filled.”

~ Central Shenandoah PDC

Commission Approves FY15 Rural Work Program

Thomas Jefferson PDC:

“On Thursday, March 6, the TJPDC formally approved its Rural Transportation Planning Work Program for FY15, which starts on July 1. This work program is renewed every year, with funding from VDOT ($58,000) and match from the TJPDC ($14,500). In FY15, TJPDC staff will conduct several activities, such as running the region’s Rural Technical Committee, helping member governments with transportation grants, and assisting VDOT with updates to plans.”

~ Thomas Jefferson PDC

Click here to learn more

Job Opening at Accomack-Northampton PDC

Accomack-Northampton PDC:

“The Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission (A-NPDC), a regional non-profit organization based in Accomac, Virginia, seeks a motivated person to provide project management for various state and federal planning activities and technical assistance to local jurisdictions. With the A-NPDC’s fast growing diversity of programs, this is an exciting opportunity for a creative and driven professional to gain experience and have their efforts make a positive impact on the communities of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.”

~ Accomack-Northampton PDC

Click here for the job description

Planners Survey Bike Route 76 for Improvements

Thomas Jefferson PDC:

“Central Virginia planners are surveying 136 miles of a cross-country bike route that runs through the region. Bike Route 76 directs riders on some of the area’s busiest, curviest roads. One trouble spot planners have identified is Route 53, which winds its way from Route 20 to Monticello. There are no shoulders, the drop-offs are steep, and it has become a busy commuter road. But a study is looking at ways to make it safer for cyclists to pedal through our part of the cross-country bike route.”

~Writes NBC29

Click here to learn more

Click here for another story from November 2013

Click here for the project website

Input on James River pollution study sought

James River:

“With 19 sections of the James River and its tributaries observed to be violating legal bacteria levels, the Department of Environmental Quality is asking for public comment in redeveloping a study on sources of pollution. The DEQ in conjunction with Region 2000, held a public meeting Tuesday night at Randolph College to present the study’s preliminary findings, which examined sections of streams and the James River from which they stem.

Violations were found in water bodies in Amherst, Bedford and Campbell counties and Lynchburg as well as the James. The total maximum daily load study, which examines the amount of bacteria a body of water can handle to meet standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency was last completed in 2007. It is being redeveloped by request from Lynchburg so the city can update its own combined sewer overflows strategy.

Jim Kern, who spoke for MapTech Inc., the company performing the study, said streams were examined as representative of general watersheds in the area. One impairment evidences pollution in another, he said. The TMDL study includes estimates of farm, domestic and wild animals, and people because fecal matter is the main source of E. coli. It also lists discharges that have been permitted.”

~Writes Alex Rohr of the News Advance

Click here for more information

Click here for the story from the Richmond Times Dispatch

Click here for more detail on the project

CSPDC's HOME Down Payment Program

Central Shenandoah PDC:

“The HOME Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA) in the Shenandoah Valley region has received $75,000 in funding for the calendar year 2014. Created to help first-time, income-eligible homebuyers to obtain decent, safe and affordable housing, this Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program has been administered in the region by the CSPDC for the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for more than a decade. It has helped 225 people grow their personal wealth and equity through homeownership.

For more information on the HOME program contact Kimberly Miller, kimberly@cspdc.org, 540.885.5174.”

~ Central Shenandoah PDC

Safe Routes to School in Rockingham County

Central Shenandoah PDC:

“Safe Routes to School (SRTS) projects have been completed at Mountain View Elementary in Rockingham County and Plains Elementary in Timberville.  At Mountain View Elementary improvements included the addition of a new sidewalk, curb & gutter, ADA curb cuts with associated crosswalks, signing and pavement markings, and the installation of pedestrian signals at the Erickson Avenue and Rawley Springs (Rt. 33) intersection.

  

In Timberville, the improvements included a five-foot concrete sidewalk, curb and gutter improvements, and a stream crossing along American Legion Drive. Other improvements included curb ramps, crosswalk pavement and sign installation, high visibility crosswalk markings, and flashing school beacons installed at the school entrance.

Safe Routes to Schools is a federally-funded program administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation designed to encourage kindergarten through 8th grade students to walk or bike to school by creating a safer and more appealing transportation alternative through biking and walking.  Other SRTS program goals are to improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.  CSPDC staff assisted the County and the Town with grant administration and project management for these two SRTS projects.”

~ Central Shenandoah PDC

VAPDC's Winter Conference

VAPDC:

“The Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC) Winter Conference was held in conjunction with Virginia Municipal League (VML) and Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) Local Government Day on February 6-7, 2014, in Richmond.  The theme of this year's conference was ‘Meeting Virginia's Challenges through Regional Solutions.’  Highlights of the conference included presentations from three of  Virginia's new cabinet secretaries: Maurice Jones, Secretary of Commerce and Trade; Molly Ward, Secretary of Natural Resources; and Aubrey Lane, Secretary of Transportation.  Also presenting was Dr. Glenn DuBois, Chancellor of Virginia Community College System.

At the conference awards ceremony, the CSPDC received the Robert M. deVoursney Best Practices Award for its Fields of Gold agritourism program.  The award recognizes a PDC or regional organization that has initiated or heightened an innovative approach or activity of regional significance.  This award recognizes innovation, excellence, commitment and/or service to the advancement of regional planning and multijurisdictional cooperation.   Mr. George Pryde, CSPDC Commissioner representing the City of Lexington and who serves on the Fields of Gold Steering Committee, accepted the award on behalf of the CSPDC.”

~ Central Shenandoah PDC