SAWMPO Recognizes Out-Going Members 

The Staunton Augusta Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) recognized out-going Board members Bobby Henderson of the City of Waynesboro, Carolyn Dull of the City of Staunton, and Randy Kiser of the VDOT Staunton District at the December MPO Policy Board meeting.



Warm Springs Pools Reopen

After a 5-year closure, the Warm Springs Pools reopened to the public on December 16, 2022. Operating since the 1760s, the Warm Springs Pools are an important link to Bath County’s history and a vital piece of the community’s tourism industry. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Martin Van Buren, and Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt headline a long history of prominent guests who have enjoyed the mineral waters of the natural hot springs.

Rockbridge Area Tourism Gathers Input for DRIVE Outdoor Grant

On December 14^th, Rockbridge Area Tourism held a workshop at the Virginia Horse Center to gather input for their recently received DRIVE Outdoor Grant. The DRIVE Outdoor Grant was awarded by the Virginia Tourism Corporation and builds on the recently completed DRIVE 2.0 Statewide Strategic Plan. The goal of the workshop was to determine next steps for outdoor recreational product development in the Rockbridge Region. DRIVE Outdoor funds can be used to enhance outdoor recreational development, assets, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Rockbridge Area Tourism invited Rockbridge Outdoors members as well as other community stakeholders to attend the event.



Afton Express Annual Report and Service Expansion 

The Afton Express is a public commuter bus system that connects the Shenandoah Valley to the Charlottesville area with daily transit service provided Monday through Friday. First launched on September 1, 2021, the Afton Express has seen great success and has proven to be a safe, convenient, and affordable way for people to get to work, medical appointments, and other services.

The CSPDC is pleased to share the first Annual Report for the Afton Express. This report provides an overview of ridership and performance during the first 16 months of operations (September 2021 – December 2022). The report also includes highlights from the first year, a summary of rider impressions collected during a rider survey last fall, and a glimpse of what is to come in the future.

The report can be viewed on the web here: 2021-2022 Afton Express Annual Report

Shenandoah Valley Airport Project Approved 

Following GO Virginia Region 8 Council’s recommendation, the GO Virginia State Board approved the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission’s (SHD) site development proposal at its December 13 meeting. SHD was awarded $993,300 for utility improvements at its 58-acre Aviation Technology Park. The project will construct new water and sewer lines, moving existing utilities from the center of the site to its perimeter. The relocation of utilities enables future construction of additional hangars and facilities to support aviation-related business growth in the region. The project is expected to create more than 260 higher-wage jobs.

Waynesboro Receives Eastern Federal Lands Access Program Funding

US DOT awarded the City of Waynesboro a $950,000 grant that will pay for preliminary engineering and partial right-of-way acquisition on a trail to connect Sunset Park to the Crozet Tunnel and then onto Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail via the Rockfish Gateway Trail. Waynesboro Director of Parks and Recreation, and the Chair of the Crozet Tunnel Foundation Dwayne Jones says that “while all final appropriations will be contingent upon Congress approval, we are thrilled to share the great news!”

PDC/MPO Staff Receive Title VI Training 

On December 16, 2022, five members of staff attended a training on Title VI on the Civil Rights Act addressing non-discrimination in all federally-funded activities that we undertake at the PDC. Title VI ensures that no one is discriminated against based on their race, nationality or skin color. The Virginia Association of MPOs (VAMPO) hosted the training in partnership with PlanRVA, which contracted with KLT Group to develop and lead the training, and Thomas Jefferson PDC, which acted as the local host at the UVA North Fork Facility in Charlottesville.



VAPDC Winter Series Kicks Off

There are two remaining sessions in the Virginia Association of Planning Commissions (VAPDC) Winter Series. Session 2 is scheduled for February 3, 2023, 12:00 noon – Equity in the Workplace; and Session 3 is scheduled for March 3, 2023, 12:00 noon – Cybersecurity. Cost is $25 per session.