BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – In 2024, the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Montgomery County, Virginia Tech, and the NRV Regional Commission launched the “Partnership for Progress” initiative to address challenges and find solutions to help improve the area’s future.
With the partnership going strong, the localities are seeking public input with a quality-of-life online survey to take a better look at the community’s wants and needs.
Blacksburg Mayor Leslie-Hager Smith says with the growing population and Virginia Tech being a main economic driver, it’s more important now than ever to work together.
“If you look farther at headlines, you will note that central Appalachia and Blacksburg included, is a climate refuge. We need to have a shared vision for how we want to grow, not whether we are going to grow, because that die has already been cast,” said Hager-Smith.
The survey covers a wide range of topics, like the challenges with purchasing or renting a home, access to healthcare, the quality of local schools, job opportunities and even restaurant choices.
“This is something that I think has a great deal of more potential for affecting the lives of people who live in the New River Valley,” said Hager-Smith.
The quality of life survey will close in mid-February and an overall result of the “Partnership for Progress” initiative is expected to be available in June.
To fill out the survey, click here.
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