Collegiate Times

“There’s going to be changes but nothing drastic.”

A $50,000 town improvement project that planned to repave a portion of the Huckleberry Trail was removed from the budget. Additionally, this year’s July 4 celebration will be not feature musical performers, which will save the town an estimated $10,000.

However, the town has not abandoned all its improvement projects.

The town will continue to fund and manage the $15 million North Main Improvement Project, which aims to increase pedestrian friendliness and replace the intersection of Prices Fork Road and North Main Street with a roundabout.

The town will also attempt to stimulate the local economy by working in conjunction with several local agencies including Downtown Blacksburg Inc., Blacksburg Partnership and the NRV Economic Alliance. 

DBI puts on several events and aims to attract new businesses to the area.

Upcoming events include the Downtown Tailgate to Benefit Haiti fundraiser, Summer Solstice Fest and Steppin’ Out.

DBI event planner Laureen Blakemore discussed how her agency is working with the town council to attract new businesses to the area.

“The town has started different initiatives to encourage different business to set up. One of the things we’re offering is a mentoring program,” Blakemore said.

The mentoring program also offers businesses incentives and improvement grants for businesses.

“We make sure new businesses have a sound business plan and understand how the economy works here in Blacksburg,” Ross said.

Town council member John Bush said Blacksburg is trying to attract new kinds of business. 

“I think (the council) is really trying to attract different business and different restaurants that have a better chance of providing a good mix in the downtown are, not just student bar food,” Bush said. “I think we have some really good additions like More Than Coffee and Green’s.”

Bush said citizens attending Tuesday’s public hearing would have a chance to weigh in on the budget proposal.

“This is the opportunity for the public to weigh in and give their commentary on anything they want to in budget,” Bush said.

Bush believes the council will likely approve the new budget Tuesday.

“I feel pretty confident that it will be adopted,” Bush said.

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A version of this article appeared in the Apr 23 issue of the Collegiate Times.