The Town is fiscally sound as demonstrated by, low taxes, a diverse revenue stream, a high bond rating, and reasonable user fees, all of these supporting high quality services. Community partnerships - Many community partnerships have developed and have had a profound effect on community activities and facilities. Town-community partnerships have contributed their resources to projects such as renewing the Lyric Theater, the Hand In Hand Playground, downtown streetscape improvements, and renovations and improvements to the Blacksburg branch library. Partnerships have also provided gazebos in Town parks, lights at soccer fields, and have promoted activities such as the Town Christmas Parade, the annual Steppin' Out Festival, and Fourth of July fireworks. Public Safety - Citizens of Blacksburg value the safety of the community and its low crime rate.
People feel safe to walk at night, and enjoy a safe, pleasant downtown without inner city problems.
A safe living environment contributes to the overall quality of life in Blacksburg. Developments that preserve open space and natural features are more attractive to residents and help to protect natural areas for the enjoyment of future generations. In a recent community survey on the quality of development in Town, citizens provided their opinions on what characteristics represent high quality development and what represents poor quality development. Extensive and mature landscaping was the most frequent response to what represents high quality development in both residential and commercial areas. In residential areas citizens also prefer large areas of open space, maintenance of natural streams, recreational facilities, sidewalks, and high architectural quality.