Operating Budget 2025-2026

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS OFFICE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS DIVISION NARRATIVE

The Community Connections Division of the Office of Housing and Community Connections seeks to educate citizens on quality of life issues and preserve neighborhood stability through increased communication, coordination, citizen involvement, citizen problem solving, and by encouraging a sense of resident stewardship. Community Connections serves as a mechanism to increase the Town Government’s responsiveness to residents by increasing current resources and priorities to enforce laws and codes. The office also manages town parking services. FY 2024-2025 ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Hired a Business Solutions Manager to be a liason to support new and existing businesses thrive in Blacksburg. • Established working relationships with the Blacksburg Partnership, Downtown Blacksburg Inc., and Main Street Connect to support and strengthen town businesses. • Colaborated with the Blacksburg Partnership for work with Retail Strategies and Downtown Strategies to create an action focused plan for Downtown and retail in Blacksburg. • Developed a Small Business Guidebook as a comprehensive resource to assist businesses with how to get started opening a business in Blacksburg. • Updated the Outdoor Dining Program Guidelines and assisted all businesses transition to OpenGov, the Town’s online platform to manage the program. • Restablished the Downtown Commercial Façade Grant program to assist with exterior improvements of downtown buildings. • Managed the parking garage and all Town private and public parking lots. FY 2025-2026 OBJECTIVES • Continue to foster and sustain communication between local government, Virginia Tech, and neighborhood residents by planning activities such as the Town Gown Committee. • Continue working with the Blacksburg Partnership, Downtown Blacksburg Inc., and Main Street Connect to grow and strenthgen Blacksburg businesses. • Continue to serving as a liaison between support small business community and Town to address business needs. • Continue to implement the Outdoor Dining Program and enforce the program guidelines. • Continue to implement the Façade grant program. • Support development of unified Blacksburg brand package. • Support Downtown Blacksburg Inc. in the design and launch of 414 N Main Retail Incubator • Establish community roundtable related to downtown, community and economic development efforts. • Establish a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area for Downtown Blacksburg. • Assist with the implementation of other Downtown Strategic Action Plan according to established Town priorities.

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