Construction starts on NRVRC Office Building!

The Regional Commission is getting excited about the new office space in Christiansburg since construction began this month! The construction project will include enclosing the former bank drivethrough for a meeting room and building a second-floor meeting room. Bathrooms and a kitchen serving area will be added just off the meeting room on the first floor. Other minor projects for the building's interior will focus specifically on the reception space and meeting room audiovisual equipment. Following a public procurement process that yielded a large number of bidders, the Regional Commission selected Kesler Contracting in Christiansburg and they are working closely with the project architect, Colley Architects in Blacksburg. The construction project is anticipated to take nine months to complete with move-in likely at the end of 2026. You can drive by and check progress at 2950 Market St in Christiansburg.  

For more information, please contact Kevin Byrd (kbyrd@nrvrc.org).

Giles County Broadband Expansion

The Regional Commission joined partners and stakeholders for an on-site tour of the 2024 Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) broadband project in Giles County. The visit was part of the ongoing monitoring process led by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

Representatives from DHCD, Giles County, Pembroke Telephone Cooperative (PemTel), JSI Engineering, Taylor Construction, and the Regional Commission participated in the tour, which included visits to several active construction sites across the southwestern part of the county. The group had the opportunity to observe key components of the broadband deployment process firsthand. Highlights included viewing Optical Line Terminal (OLT) cabinets—critical infrastructure that enables fiber broadband service—and observing live fiber splicing, a precise and essential step in connecting the network.

Project partners reported that construction is approximately 30% complete showing significant progress. There have been a few ongoing challenges, but PemTel, the internet service provider (ISP), the engineers and the construction crew have been able to meet these challenges and keep the project moving forward. Once complete, the project will expand access to reliable, high-speed internet for unserved/underserved areas, supporting economic development, education, healthcare access, and overall quality of life for residents.

The Regional Commission remains committed to supporting regional broadband initiatives and fostering partnerships that bring critical infrastructure to communities throughout the New River Valley.

For more information, please contact Chris Owens (cowens@nrvrc.org).  

Livability Information Exchange

A record crowd gathered for the 12^th annual Livability Information Exchange to hear stories about literacy work, public arts, aging in place, disaster recovery, and homelessness prevention. Hosted by the Community Foundation of the NRV and the Regional Commission since 2014, the event focuses on sharing progress across the four main themes of the final Livability Plan, celebrating successes, and lifting up challenges that still exist. Dr. Tamarah Holmes, Director of DHCD, provided closing remarks, sharing her experience throughout her career with the Department of Housing and Community Development and encouragement for all that the NRV has already accomplished.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Wilsie (jwilsie@nrvrc.org).

Explore Your Commute Options This Spring

RIDE Solutions is partnering with local businesses and organizations and DRPT this spring to promote commuting beyond the single-occupant vehicle. Several events are planned for April and May including DRPT’s Connect Businesses from April 15 through May 27 and Bike Month activities to include a Bike to Work Challenge Week May 19 through May 27. 

The Bike to Work Challenge Week will kick off with a local event to encourage those who can to cycle to work at least one day during the week. Those who log their cycling commute in the ConnectingVA App will be entered in a local prize drawing. We are also recruiting partners and employers who would like to get in on the fun for Bike Month. You can learn more about how to participate as an organization by contacting Christy Straight at cstraight@nrvrc.org.

Stay tuned to our social media for more details later this month on these commuter events and how you can join in.

The ConnectingVA app helps you find carpool matches for work, the right bus at the right time to get to your destination, and even cycling routes and travel times. The app is available as an interactive website or in the Google Play and Apple app stores. Visit: https://ridesolutions.org/ to link to the app for your preferred platform.

NRVRC Staff Souper Bowl

Each year Regional Commission staff holds a souper bowl lunch. Each soup is tasted and staff votes for their top three choices. While each soup is delicious, only one can be named the annual winner. This year's winner was NRVRC Community Designer & Facilitation Specialist, Will Shelburne and his Smoked Clam Chowder complete with homemade Hungarian smoked paprika! Congrats to Will!

2026 DHCD Grant Management Workshop

Mark your calendars for the 2026 DHCD Grant Management Workshop, to be held April 28-30. This event is for grantees, grant managers, and consultants who work with the CDBG, IPR Flex, Lead, ARC, DPA (HOME and Pilot DPA) and ARS programs, and will cover fundamental components of grant management, housing rehab, and homebuyer and tenant education. The workshop is virtual and will be offered at no cost to the participants.

Registration has not yet opened, but please contact gmw@dhcd.virginia.gov for more information.

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