A-NPDC News Summary

The A-NPDC met on November 18, 2002. The following are highlights of A-NPDC activities:

• Bayview Community construction is well underway on the subdivision, sewer system and rental housing. Four of 14 rental units are framed and roofed. Rental housing will consist of 32 units in duplexes and triplexes.
• Phase one of the Locust Mount project involving thirteen homes is almost complete. Five of the thirteen houses were renovated and eight were replaced. In phase two of this project, the first group of three clients has been selected. Two clients will have renovations made to their homes, and one will have their home replaced.
• The Tangier Disaster Recovery Initiative Program involves replacement of six homes subject to flooding. Two houses have complete exteriors, and the third house will be started next week. Three families moved out of their houses three months ago and are still awaiting demolition, which was delayed for lack of a permit to burn the debris. A meeting with DEQ personnel to resolve this issue was held November 5. The meeting resulted in agreement to issue a permit, and a burn site has been designated.

Regional Partnership Selects Projects for Public Input

At its November meeting, the Eastern shore of Virginia Regional Partnership selected eight projects it believes could help the Eastern Shore prosper. More information will be presented and public input will be requested at three January 2003 public meetings on Chincoteague and in Accomack and Northampton counties.

• "Academical" Village-a collection of housing units, attached and integrated into a small community for educators including a small library, meeting room, and computers. This facility would help the Shore attract and retain new teachers who now have difficulty finding affordable housing.
• Art Market, Studios and Education-support for artists and artisan entrepreneurs by creating markets for their work, providing studio space, and offering creative skills training and small business management training.
• Broadband Initiative-a study to learn what other rural communities are doing to offer broadband Internet service and find ways to implement the service here.
• Heritage Trail-coordinated tour and byway corridors using existing roads to link significant scenic, historic, natural, cultural and recreational sites throughout the region.
• Regional "Main Street" Program-support staff to assist each of the region's incorporated towns implement the four points of the Virginia Main Street Program.
• Wallops Business Incubator-would provide office and other commercial space now in short supply in the Wallops area and use of equipment such as copiers and high-speed Internet access. The incubator would also furnish technical assistance and business management counseling.
• Water and Wastewater-interface with the Public Service Authority in implementing the PSA's action plan and assistance in identifying funding from a variety of sources to make water and wastewater services economically feasible.
• Workforce Development Projects-support for the Eastern Shore Community College Workforce Advisory Council as it develops training within the community around three Shore workforce issues: building a strong work ethic, developing a clearinghouse of training resources, and developing, administering, and interpreting a business survey to identify training needs.

Preparation of project descriptions is a necessary part of a new strategic plan needed to qualify under the Regional Competitiveness Program (RCP) administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Qualifying regions are eligible for special state funding under the RCP. Although funding for this program has now been severely curtailed, the Partnership decided to proceed with planning for a new qualification in order to be eligible in the event that funding is eventually restored. However, new project planning will also include research into possible alternate funding sources to minimize dependence on the state's allocation to the RCP.

A study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) concluded that the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel (CBBT) Commission should complete a long-term capital improvements plan before enacting toll discounts. A capital plan would primarily address the future need for new or dual tunnels, estimated to cost up to $1 billion. This is the same recommendation that came out of the recent bi-county Commuter Toll Impact Study.

The bi-county Impact Study evaluating the potential impacts of toll discounts was completed in December 2001. The Impact Study recommended local actions to address the impacts and called for a CBBT capital improvements plan. The Study also called for the General Assembly to study the structure and procedures of the Commission and staff.

Despite the Study and requests for discount delay by Northampton County, Eastern Shore legislators, and then Governor-elect Mark Warner, the CBBT Commission started a $6 discount for commuters in March 2002.

The General Assembly authorized the study on the future of the CBBT in January 2002, and JLARC completed it in November. The JLARC report also recommends that public hearings be held before enacting future changes in CBBT tolls. A public briefing will be held on Monday, December 2 at 4:00 p.m. at the Eastville Courthouse. The study can also be read at the JLARC website.

VDOT Suspends FY2004 Enhancement Grant Application Process

In order to catch up with funding for existing grant projects, VDOT will not accept Transportation Enhancement Grant applications for new projects in January 2003. Since 1993, the popular VDOT grant program has funded many Eastern Shore Projects, including the Cape Charles Museum, the Eastville Inn, the Barrier Islands Center, the Exmore Downtown Project, Harborton Landing, the Samuel Outlaw Blacksmith Shop, and the Chincoteague Downtown Project. VDOT anticipates accepting new grant applications for FY 2005 in January 2004.

Website of the Month

The official Virginia Portal provides citizens and businesses a single, electronic gateway to all government-related information. Check it out at www.MyVirginia.org.