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Regional planning commission outlines broadband, housing and transit work for Charlottesville region
Summary
Christine Jacobs, executive director of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, briefed council on TJPDC programs including a multi‑jurisdiction rural broadband build (~$350M), HUD HOME and housing preservation grants, transit planning and FY27 budget shifts tied to grant cycles.
Christine Jacobs, executive director of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC), presented an overview of the commission’s role and priorities for the district that includes Charlottesville and surrounding counties.
Jacobs outlined six policy focus areas—transportation and transit planning, housing and community development, environmental planning, rural broadband, legislative services and regional/local planning—and highlighted how the commission acts as a regional coordinator and grant steward. She noted the VADi rural broadband initiative is a roughly $350 million project intended to provide high‑speed broadband passings to more than 44,000 businesses and residences across 13 jurisdictions.
She also described federal programs the commission administers, including HOME and USDA housing‑preservation grants, a regional housing development grant previously awarded at $2 million, and how per‑capita membership dues and direct contributions are used to provide local match for state and federal grants. Council members thanked the commission for technical assistance and asked follow‑up questions about staffing and capital upgrades to TJPDC facilities.
