#PublicServiceRecognitionWeek The Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad had another successful year! They were recognized with the 2024 Governor’s Award for Outstanding EMS agency. In 2025, Blacksburg Rescue received 159 volunteer applications and onboarded 47 new members. They also provided over 2,100 hours of Ride-Along experiences for EMT & VCOM students and the public. The organization responded to 3,748 EMS calls and successfully covered 100% of its first team calls and 99% of all EMS calls, while assisting with 111 calls for neighboring agencies. Throughout the year, Blacksburg Rescue volunteers contributed a combined 95,088 hours of service, valued at over $3.3 million! An incredible resource to our community, we appreciate your dedication and your service! Thank you!

A huge #PublicServiceRecognitionWeek thank you to our Public Works team for all the amazing work happening across Blacksburg! This spring alone, they’ve been hard at work cleaning up after winter, getting ready to hang 280 flower baskets, and planting seasonal beds throughout town. In addition to that prep work, Public Works is working to plant more than 48,000 square feet of pollinator plants and wildflowers along South Main Street to support our local environment and make our community even more beautiful.

The team at Public Works is a leader in safety and innovation and is working with a consultant to develop tools that plan safer, more efficient work zones with the right signage and setup every time. Behind the scenes, utility crews and contractors are upgrading pump stations and supporting ongoing development, while other crews are building foundations for a renovation at Municipal Park.

On top of all that, Blacksburg Public Works keeps our roads in mind and looks ahead to the future; using real-time pavement data, Public Works is planning to resurface 8.6 lane miles later this year. From beautification to infrastructure, safety, and recreation, Public Works does it all. We’re so grateful for everything you do to keep Blacksburg running smoothly and looking its best!

Join us in extending a big thank you to the Blacksburg Police Department for everything they do to keep our community safe and supported! Blacksburg Police respond quickly in emergencies, invest in training future officers, and are always a reliable, supportive presence around town.

Did you know? The Blacksburg Police Department hosts a Citizens Police Academy each spring. This program is a great way for citizens to gain a better perspective of the day-to-day operations of the Police Department. #PublicServiceRecognitionWeek

The town’s Community Relations Office, otherwise known as CRO, is the central hub for all town communications. Did you know? One of CRO’s newest projects is "Blacksburg in Focus": a short-form video series designed to provide citizens with helpful information about the Town’s initiatives, services, and programs in a quick and accessible format. In addition to Blacksburg in Focus, CRO also manages the town website, streams all Town Council and Planning Commission Meetings, and helps connect citizens to town departments. Thank you, CRO staff!

Here’s a big #PublicServiceRecognitionWeek thank you to the Housing and Community Connections team!

Housing and Community Connections (HCC) has made several impactful strides this year to support the community and strengthen Blacksburg’s local economy.

The Business Solutions team is partnered closely with Downtown Blacksburg Inc. to prepare for the launch of “The Local @ 414” Retail Incubator, located at 414 North Main Street. Opening this fall, “The Local @ 414” will provide affordable storefront space, business coaching, and a supportive environment for emerging local entrepreneurs to test and grow their businesses.

Additionally, HCC collaborated with Community Housing Partners and Habitat for Humanity to complete three major affordable housing initiatives:

The Engineering and GIS department works every day to keep our drinking water safe, our infrastructure strong, and our community running smoothly. From maintaining reliable water and sewer systems to protecting stream quality and ensuring safe, efficient transportation, this department’s impact is felt in every corner of our town.

We also appreciate the vital role Geographic Information Systems (GIS) plays in helping residents navigate and understand Blacksburg. From mapping neighborhoods and zoning to providing essential land, address, and development information, GIS’s work keeps our community connected, informed, and prepared for the future. Thank you, Engineering and GIS for all you do to support and strengthen Blacksburg every day, but especially this week during #PublicServiceRecognitionWeek!

Our Blacksburg Parks and Recreation department creates spaces and opportunities that bring our community together and keep Blacksburg active, engaged, and thriving. From maintaining beautiful parks and scenic trails to offering over 1,000 programs a year, Blacksburg Parks and Recreation offers programming for everyone. Parks and Rec, your work makes it easy to get outside, explore, and unwind!

With summer right around the corner, we’re especially grateful for the more than 220 youth camp opportunities that give kids a place to learn, play, and grow. Your ever-expanding programs ensure there’s always a way for everyone to relax, connect, and stay active. Thank you for helping make Blacksburg a healthier, happier place to live! #PublicServiceRecognitionWeek

From maintaining secure networks and assisting staff with technical troubleshooting, to managing software updates and hardware needs across the town, the Technology Department makes sure everyone is equipped to do their job. We’re grateful for their efforts in keeping Blacksburg working and connected!