Wythe County earns VACo’s top award for Hitachi Energy Arena revitalization
County also recognized for inclusive playground at Ager Park
WYTHE COUNTY, Va.- Wythe County has earned the Best Achievement Award from the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) for its revitalization of Hitachi Energy Arena, the organization’s top honor at the 2025 VACo Achievement Awards.
Announced today, the Best Achievement Award is selected from a record 155 entries across the Commonwealth and recognizes the most outstanding local government program in Virginia. Wythe County’s winning entry highlights the multi-year transformation of a stalled county facility into a thriving regional sports and entertainment venue, led entirely by County staff from concept through completion.
“This project by Wythe County is a transformative public-private initiative that should be reviewed by all of Virginia’s localities,” said Charles Hartgrove, Managing Director of the Virginia Institute of Government and one of this year’s VACo Achievement Awards judges. “Who would have thought ice hockey in rural Virginia would work? Wythe County did—and now the Hitachi Energy Arena stands as an example that rural communities, when challenged, can accomplish anything with vision, partnership, and fortitude.”
Originally opened as the APEX Center, the facility struggled with infrastructure gaps and inconsistent programming before being reimagined through a public-private partnership with Apex Drive Holdings, LLC. In 2023, Wythe County welcomed the Blue Ridge Bobcats, a professional hockey team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League, as the arena’s primary tenant. A strategic naming rights agreement with Hitachi Energy followed, alongside major upgrades: more than 3,500 new seats, ADA-accessible walkways, paved parking, and a full interior overhaul, all overseen and imagined by county staff.
Since reopening, the arena has drawn tens of thousands of fans, hosted regional events, and become a key economic engine for the region. On Aug.5, the Blue Ridge Bobcats at Hitachi Energy Arena were also named Outstanding New Attraction of the Year at the Southwest Virginia Tourism Awards, following a nomination from Wythe County.
“This project is so rewarding because it has so much potential to build lasting economic impact,” said Deputy Wythe County Administrator Matt Hankins, who led the redevelopment project. “The county now is working to develop additional hospitality sites around the arena in support of future concerts, games, and events.”
Hankins and County Administrator Stephen Bear recognized staff who played critical roles in design, construction, contract administration, and implementation, including County Engineer Johnny Kincer, Buildings & Grounds Superintendent Landon Sayers, Staff Engineer Will Lawrence, and Building Inspector Kyle Taylor.
“Our county staff and contractors did an excellent job, moving from a dirt arena to a finished ice hockey rink in just five months, then finishing the project with outstanding seats, new parking and lighting and other amenities to make way for the Blue Ridge Bobcats to succeed,” said Wythe County Administrator Stephen Bear. “We’re grateful to VACo for the recognition and to our Board of Supervisors for their vision and support, and to our Public Information Officer, Allyson Williams, for crafting the award nomination.”
In addition to the top award, Wythe County was also recognized with a second VACo Achievement Award in the Parks and Recreation category for Play Wythe Ager Park, an inclusive playground project that transformed a beloved but decades-old wooden play structure into a modern, accessible, nature-themed space welcoming children of all abilities. The multi-phase renovation, completed in 2024, was made possible through grant funding, local dollars, and strong staff leadership.
“These awards show what can happen when local government steps up, works with good partners, and keeps the community front and center,” said Brian W. Vaught, Chairman of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors. “Whether it’s building a playground where every kid can join in or packing the arena with hockey fans on a Friday night, we’re proud to create places people enjoy and use.”
The VACo Achievement Awards, now in their 23rd year, recognize excellence in local government service. This year’s dual recognition for Wythe County highlights a continued focus on improving public spaces, making smart investments in community assets, and relying on in-house leadership to move projects forward.
The Wythe County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing to give the citizens served by the Wythe County public water system an opportunity to comment on a proposed rate change. In accordance with the Code of Virginia Section 15.2-2119, and subsequent revisions, the Wythe County Board of Supervisors proposes to change the rates charged for water services as follows:
| CUSTOMER CLASS | CURRENT BASE RATE | EQUIVALENT RESIDENTIAL CONNECTION METER MULTIPLIER | CURRENT METER BASE RATE | PROPOSED RATE |
| Base Rate - All Users | $21.83 | $21.83 | $22.92 | |
| 3/4" Meter | $21.83 | 1 | $21.83 | $22.92 |
| 1" Meter | $21.83 | 2.5 | $54.58 | $57.30 |
| 1 1/2" Meter | $21.83 | 5 | $109.15 | $114.61 |
| 2" Meter | $21.83 | 8 | $174.64 | $183.37 |
| 3" Meter | $21.83 | 15 | $327.44 | $343.81 |
| 4" Meter | $21.83 | 30 | $654.89 | $687.63 |
| 6" Meter | $21.83 | 60 | $1,309.77 | $1,375.26 |
| VOLUME RATE | CURRENT VOLUME RATE/1,000 GALLONS | PROPOSED VOLUME RATE/1,000 GALLONS |
| Residential | $10.92 | $11.47 |
| Commercial | $11.97 | $12.57 |
The public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., or as soon as practicable thereafter, in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, 340 South Sixth Street, Wytheville, Virginia 24382 to hear public comment on the proposed water rate change. The public may comment in person at the public hearing or submit written responses to County Clerk Martha Collins at the address above or by e-mail at mgcollins@wytheco.org.
The Wythe County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 6 p.m. or as soon thereafter as practical in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, 340 South Sixth Street, Wytheville, VA, 24382.
The public hearing is open to comment on an ordinance establishing the Bertha Farms Transportation Service District in the Lead Mines District. This service district will provide for street improvements to serve landowners pursuant to Section 15.2-2400 of the Code of Virginia. CLICK HERE FOR A COPY OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE & DISTRICT
The public may comment in person at the public hearing or submit written responses to County Clerk Martha Collins at the address above or by e-mail at mgcollins@wytheco.org.
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 15.2-2507 of the Code of Virginia and amendments thereto, that the Wythe County Board of Supervisors will receive citizen comments on the Board of Supervisors’ intent to adopt resolutions amending the FY2025-2026 budget by more than one percent of the total expenditures shown in the currently adopted budget. The resolution adds carryover funding appropriated in FY2024-2025 to the FY2025-2026 budget in an estimated amount of $38,348,561.
A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., or as soon as practicable thereafter, in the Board Room of the County Administration Building, 340 South Sixth Street, Wytheville, Virginia 24382 to hear public comment on the proposed budget amendment.
All persons who wish to comment may appear in person at the meeting, may submit comments via electronic mail to Martha Collins, County Clerk, at mgcollins@wytheco.org or by mail at 340 South Sixth Street, Wytheville, VA 24382.
Wythe County, Virginia, is seeking Bids for maintenance repairs to the Progress Park railroad spur line. The work consists of:
- Re-gage curve to 56.5 inches
- Remove and Replace 20 crossties
- Re-install tie plates
- Furnish and install new spikes
- Power tamp all new crossties
- Dress stone to the top of the crosstie
- Haul crossties to Wythe Count Rural Retreat Lake Park.
- Provide NS certificate of inspection and approval.
The work to be performed includes all labor, material, and equipment to complete the project.
Quotes will be received at the Wythe County Water Department Offices, 340 South Sixth Street, Wytheville, Virginia 24382 until 2:00 P.M. local prevailing time on July 25, 2025. Contractors shall comply with Virginia Code Section 54.1-1112 regarding information required with the Quote. Envelopes containing Quotes shall be clearly marked with the contractor license number. E-mailed bid will be accepted: jdkincer@wytheco.org
Wythe County reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Quotes.
If you are interested in quoting this project, please contact Johnny Kincer for questions or comments and site visits.