Leaders create partnership to discuss best interests for Montgomery County and its towns

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - As the New River Valley continues to grow and evolve, so does Virginia Tech.

That’s why the leaders of Montgomery County, Virginia Tech, and the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg are forging a partnership to work through the area’s aspirations and obstacles.

Blacksburg Mayor Leslie Hager Smith says with all the new transportation advancements coming in the future, like the Amtrak NRV Passenger Rail, now is the perfect time to collaborate.

“I do look forward to the results. There’s lots of good that could be accomplished together,” said the mayor.

The mayor also said having Virginia Tech in the New River Valley is a tremendous benefit in many ways, but there are some downsides as the University continues to grow.

She said the partnership is also a time to collectively discuss solutions for the town’s ongoing housing problem.

“We have established what we think are the most plausible solutions to a very pressing housing problem. We invite the university to explore that with us through this process and other things,” said the mayor.

There are also other issues that through the partnership, the leaders could work together to discuss, such as funding for schools in Montgomery County, retail, transportation and others.

“For example, childcare is just... it’s a problem everywhere, but in Blacksburg because of our specific demographics, the solutions will always need to be specific to this unique town and campus,” said the mayor.

The leaders will work with a DC-based consultant group called LINK and the relationship with them will be finished in about a year.

Leslie Hager-Smith said she is looking forward to the upcoming series of meetings and making good progress with all area leaders involved in the partnership.