Newsbrief Archive - Page 6 of 32 - Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission

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Post published:October 10, 2025

The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission has supported six successful rain barrel workshops across the region so far this year in partnership with our local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the James River Association! Participants learned how to assemble and install rain barrels at home and received a 55-gallon drum.Every time it rains, stormwater carries things such as nutrients from fertilizers, bacteria from pet waste, and chemicals from herbicides and pesticides to local waterways. Using a rain barrel at home is a way to reduce stormwater pollution and conserve…

RRBC Conference 2025 Wrap-Up

Post published:October 10, 2025

On September 24th, the Rivanna River Basin Commission (RRBC) hosted 64 people at the Center at Belvedere for the 10th annual RRBC Conference. With an emphasis on state and local water supply planning given increasing pressures from stressors like drought, climate change, and data center development, speakers provided context and perspectives on state water supply planning regulations, existing water supply plans, and what is being done to meet future demands and be stewards of the Rivanna.Those in attendance included elected officials, city and county staff, regional planners, non profit staff…

TJPDC Staff Lend a Hand on Day of Caring

Post published:October 10, 2025

On September 17, TJPDC staff participated in the United Way's 34th Annual Day of Caring.This year, a small but mighty group of our staff members volunteered to provide landscaping at the entrance and at the Bear Garden of the Rockfish Valley Community Center. This historic school building in Nelson County features local businesses and artisans, and provides a wealth of recreational, educational and cultural programs and community-sponsored events. It is also a scenic, well-maintained public space with trails, picnic tables, a playground and a skate park. The ongoing support of…

Meet the Staff: Emily London

Post published:October 10, 2025

Emily London, Regional Housing VISTA Emily joined the TJPDC in mid-August as part of an AmeriCorps Virginia Housing Alliance VISTA project, a statewide intermediary project with 17 Host Sites, that all work to either expand affordable housing opportunities and/or end homelessness throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Emily is a recent graduate of Rice University in Houston, TX, where she received a BA in Public Policy Analysis.Q: What led you to working at the TJPDC?A: I'm convinced that there are few, if any, sets of big cities in the United States more different…

October 2025 Commission Meeting Updates

Post published:October 10, 2025

The TJPD Commission met on October 2, with the following items on the agenda:David Blount gave a six-month update on activities of the Blue Ridge Cigarette Tax Board, which is administered by the TJPDC, including new members; tax revenue generated and allocated to member jurisdictions; and total packs sold by month and by jurisdiction.Sara Pennington gave an overview of the Park and Ride Lots in the region, which RideShare markets to commuters and is funded through the Rural Transportation Work Program.The Commission approved a letter to be sent to the…

September 2025 Commission Meeting Updates

Post published:September 12, 2025

The TJPD Commission met on September 4, with the following items on the agenda:The Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) six-month update and presentation was given by David Blount.Isabella O’Brien gave an update on the Watershed Improvement Program (WIP).Laurie Jean Talun presented the HOME and CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER); following a public hearing, the Commission adopted a resolution approving the 2024 HOME-CDBG CAPER.Following an overview and public hearing, the Commission endorsed an application to USDA Rural Development for over $271,000 in Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) funds.Following a brief…