🌱 Patch AM: How new Virginia Tech dorm plans could ease Blacksburg’s housing squeeze

Good morning Blacksburg! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How new Virginia Tech dorm plans could ease Blacksburg's housing squeeze
• What's new for your Lane Stadium gameday in Blacksburg this season?
• How Hokie Ventures could reshape Virginia Tech athletics funding in Blacksburg

Also on today's calendar: Blues, Brews & BBQ.

Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Friday: An afternoon t-storm; humid, with a high of 81 and low of 62 degrees.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and humid, temps: high: 78, low: 63.
• Sunday: Humid with some sun, with a high of 82 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Virginia Tech board adds pieces to on-campus student housing plan (cardinalnews.org) — Virginia Tech's board has approved a new mix of dorm renovations and construction in Blacksburg after shelving the larger Student Life Village, aiming to add 1,200 beds and upgrade aging halls. Town officials, including Mayor Michael Sutphin, say more on-campus housing is crucial as enrollment growth has strained Blacksburg's off-campus rentals, traffic, and infrastructure, while the university also trims its Living Learning Community program.
   

2. The Virginia Tech Gameday Experience 2026 (hokiesports.com) — If you're heading to Virginia Tech football games in Blacksburg this season, expect better cell service, new sensory-friendly options, and an ASL performance of the national anthem at every home game. Fans will also see upgraded lighting, themed promotions like the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash and Ag Day, and postgame surveys aimed at improving the Lane Stadium experience all year.
   

3. Virginia Tech names Hokie Ventures board of directors (greensboro.com) — Virginia Tech is formalizing Hokie Ventures in Blacksburg with a 10-member board of directors, led by alumni Brad Hobbs and Ted Hanson, to boost long-term funding for Hokies athletics. The new nonprofit will pursue revenue, investments, and partnerships to keep Virginia Tech competitive as college sports rapidly change, including NIL and revenue-sharing pressures.
   

4. Virginia Gas Prices: Cheapest and most expensive places to fill up - August 27, 2026 (wsls.com) — Drivers in Blacksburg are paying about $3.85 for regular gas right now, slightly below the Virginia average of $3.89. New River Valley prices, including Christiansburg and Radford, are clustered close together, so checking nearby stations could still save you a few cents per gallon.
   

5. $932,292 in HHS Grants to Virginia Tech (nrvnews.com) — Virginia Tech in Blacksburg has received two federal HHS research grants totaling $932,292 to study bacterial biofilms and whether an older antibiotic can fight drug-resistant STIs. Local researchers' work, highlighted by Rep. Morgan Griffith, could eventually influence how doctors nationwide treat stubborn infections.
   

📸 Around Blacksburg

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Blacksburg

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday September 19
• Sinkland Farms 4th Annual Wine Festival — Sinkland Farms Rustic Chic Weddings, Events & Farm Festivals →
  Sinkland Farms, 3060 Riner Rd, Christiansburg
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday September 19
• Blues, Brews & BBQ →
  St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall, 203 Gilbert St, Blacksburg
  12:00 pm
Friday September 25
• Sinkland Farms 35th Annual Pumpkin Festival →
  Sinkland Farms, 3060 Riner Rd, Christiansburg
  4:00 pm

📣 Blacksburg Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday August 28
• Last Call Before Football at the University Club of Virginia Tech! →
  Lane Stadium, 185 Beamer Way, Blacksburg
  5:00 pm
• Last Call Before Football →
  Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce University Club of Virginia Tech
  5:00 pm
Monday August 31
• Planning Commission Meeting →
  Town of Christiansburg Calendar, Town Hall 100 E. Main St., Christiansburg
  7:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
• Women of Vision
  Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce 1540 South Main St, Ste 110, Blacksburg, VA Located at First & Main
  9:30 am
• MC Business 101 Financial Foundations: Session 2
  Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce 210 Laurel St Suite B Christiansburg
  12:00 pm
Wednesday September 2
• Aquatic Advisory Board →
  Town of Christiansburg Calendar, Christiansburg Aquatic Center 595 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg
  4:30 pm
Thursday September 3
• MC Eggs & Issues: The Future of Business in Montgomery County - September 2026
  Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Warm Hearth Village 2387 Warm Hearth Dr. Blacksburg, VA 24060
  8:00 am
Friday September 4
• Bikeway Walkway Committee →
  Town of Christiansburg Calendar, Town Hall 100 E. Main St., Christiansburg
  7:30 am
• MC 2026 Ambassador Meeting
  Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce 210 Laurel St NE, Christiansburg, VA 24073
  11:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• FOUND!!
  WE FOUND OLLIE! He disappeared yesterday afternoon. He was following me while I unloaded groceries from the back of my car. I found him this… (Nextdoor Sweeny)
• Can anyone recommend a painter who handles small jobs at a reasonable price?
  We need our garage doors painted, including a primer coat and a finishing coat. We will provide the paint. (Nextdoor McBryde)

• Virginia Department of Human Resource Management posted a job opening for Assistant Director for Client Services in Blacksburg. Apply here.
• New River Valley Community Services posted a job opening for Clinician I or II - In Home Services in Blacksburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Blacksburg here.

Ok Blacksburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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