Community Resources
- The Blacksburg Electronic Village is an outreach effort of Virginia Tech, in partnership with the Town of Blacksburg. The BEV is based entirely on the Internet, and is very much a part of everyday life for the residents of Blacksburg. Some examples include:
- Senior Citizens keep up with old and new friends by chatting on a listserve (e-mail list), contributing a senior profile to the seniors Web page, and having monthly BEV Seniors meetings and socials.
- More than two thirds of the businesses in town are using the Internet and are seeing their market expand worldwide. They are selling items like clothing, games, and real estate both locally and internationally.
- School children have a new way to learn as they use video conferences to interact with students in faraway lands.
- Parents keep abreast of classroom activities on the school Web pages and can correspond with teachers using e-mail.
- Citizens use a simple Web-based survey to let their County Supervisor know what they think of funding sources for school renovations and proposed new roads.
- The Office of Family and Work/Life Resources provides a database of community services such as information on child care, elder care, adoption, schools, summer camps, and churches.