RICHMOND, Va. –
The Virginia National Guard will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expansion of the Roanoke Regional Readiness Center Aug. 2, 2025, in Troutville, Virginia. The expansion increases the maintenance capabilities at the complex and provides training, administrative and storage space for additional units using a combination of new construction and renovation of existing buildings.
The VNG’s 229th Chemical Company is scheduled to relocate from their current facility in Rocky Mount to the newly-expanded RRRC. Field Maintenance Shop #10 is expanding to become Combined Support Maintenance Shop - West with additional capabilities.
The current complex officially opened in August 2017 and is the home of the 29th Infantry Division Band and Field Maintenance Shop #10. The VNG broke ground on the expansion of the RRRC complex in March 2023. View photos from the ceremony at
https://vngpao.info/2p8v94fr.
VNG senior leaders credited the hard work of the VNG’s facilities management team for developing the project with the vendor as well as the support of state government agencies and local government officials in the area.
By utilizing this site and most of its existing facilities, the VNG saved the taxpayers significant money and limited environmental impacts as compared to building an all-new facility while providing a capability to more efficiently support national defense and state public safety missions.
The project consisted of three main parts:
- New construction of an approximately 33,500 square foot readiness center building. Note: the term “readiness center” is now used instead of “armory.”
- Renovation of an approximately 12,000 square foot building for storage and support to the readiness center.
- Construction of an approximately 16,300 square foot maintenance building to expand on existing field maintenance shop capabilities into the VNG’s Combined Support Maintenance Shop - West.
Approximately 100 personnel work at 13 FMSs spread out over different locations throughout the state with the mission to provide field maintenance support for surface equipment beyond the capabilities of supported VNG units. The FMS maintains authorized repair parts and supplies and performs preventive maintenance procedures as well as replacement of major components such as engines and transmissions. It also provides contact teams to repair equipment and return it to the unit to conduct operations and training. They also provide maintenance support to VNG units conducting domestic response operations.
A CSMS performs field and sustainment maintenance support on a wide variety of equipment, including heavy and light wheeled vehicles, trailers and generators with specialty shops that provide additional capabilities not performed at an FMS such as welding, painting, machine work, small arms, electronics, artillery, optical instrument and calibration.
There is a CSMS currently located at Defense Supply Center Richmond, and what will be known as “CSMS-West” in Troutville will provide expanded capabilities for units in the region requiring less travel time to get needed work accomplished.
The 229th Chemical Company consists of 85 enlisted Soldiers, six officers and one chief warrant officer. Its mission is to provide chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear reconnaissance, decontamination and detection and transportation resources and capabilities.
Additional background information:
The Virginia National Guard secured the site of the former Botetourt Correctional Center in June 2015. The Botetourt Correctional Center closed in the winter of 2010 and was declared surplus state property. It was transferred to the Virginia National Guard at no cost.
The total site area is approximately 56.5 acres in Troutville, located at State Drive and Route 651, east of I-81 and north of Roanoke. It is adjacent to a Virginia State Police shooting range and a Virginia Department of Transportation regional maintenance facility.
The 29th Infantry Division Band consists of 40 enlisted Soldiers and one chief warrant officer. Its mission is to support the Virginia National Guard with musical performances around the state. In addition to the full band, the 29th Infantry Division Band contains 18 different musical performance teams.