Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 13, 1992 TAG: 9202130148
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
BLACKSBURG FUTURE GOOD, OFFICIAL SAYS
While the town may lack for cold hard cash in the next few years, visions of a strong future abound, Town Manager Ron Secrist says."I'm an optimist," Secrist said at a Greater Blacksburg Chamber of Commerce luncheon Tuesday. It was almost three years ago to the day since he first addressed the group. He had been town manager for just eight days.
Blacksburg's revenue growth will be limited for the rest of the decade, he said Tuesday, "and local government can't do it all."
More than ever, business-government partnerships are needed to maintain services and build for the future. "I hope we're careful not to let negatives overwhelm us," he said.
Already, the town is involved in several such partnership, including South Main Street landscaping, the aquatics center and Adopt-a-Spot.
Looking further down the line, Blacksburg is embarking on several projects to promote economic development - the proposed direct-link road to Interstate 81, the Virginia Tech Business Incubator project and the Blacksburg Electronic Village.
Tech, the town and C&P Telephone are studying the feasibility of wiring each home and business here to a world of information through a town fiber-optic system.
All these ideas are unique to Blacksburg, Secrist said, and hold a promise beyond the ordinary economic development efforts.
In reviewing his notes from the last time he spoke to the chamber, Secrist found he'd outlined several goals - all of which have been accomplished, he said.
The town is financially sound, with strong bond ratings and awards for budget and accounting. In a cost-cutting measure, several services have been shifted to businesses, such as curbside recycling and custodial services.
He said Blacksburg is one of four state finalists for the U.S. Senate Productivity Award based on the town employee health task force program. A committee will be coming later this month to review other areas of the town's productivity as a local government.
He also said his staff continues to provide top-notch services, as evidenced by strong ratings in a random survey sent out to Blacksburg residents.