Welcome to the James River Exchange. I am Nancy Gill, your host. Today is April 6 and this segment is with Will Smith who is co-owner of the James River Batteau Company with Will Cash.

We discussed the Chesapeake Gateways Network which James River Batteau Company is a partner. Will is excited about the prospects this may have for more tourism activities in Scottsville. In fact, since the recording we have met with Laura Mellusi with the Scottsville Museum on potential tours and activites that can be identified and promoted—more on this at a later date.

Having the James River Batteau Company affiliated with the Chesapeake Gateways is described in a recent press release:

“This designation places the upper James River and the people who built and navigated its batteaux firmly within the larger Chesapeake story,” said Will Smith, co-founder of James River Batteau Company. “Small towns like Scottsville hold essential chapters of that history — stories of labor, commerce, and river life that shaped the watershed. Inclusion in this network allows us to bring those stories to a wider audience and position them within the broader Chesapeake narrative.”

These are exciting times for the James River and the Town of Scottsville!

Scottsville Planning Commission Meets at 7:00 pm

This evening the Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on the draft version of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The document has been three + years in the making. Under the leadership of the Planning Commission members and the work of Planning Fellow, Lincoln Lewis, the document is ready for review. Elements of the plan include a transportation plan and a capital improvement plan—both required by Virginia Code. Should the Commission vote this evening to recommend the plan to Town Council a second public hearing will be scheduled.

Valley Link Transmission Line

Valley Link has been holding several public sessions regarding a 115 mile transmission line from Campbell County to Culpeper County. There is information on their website.Valley Link is a joint venture between Dominion Energy, First Energy Transmission, and Transource Energy

I will have more on this Wednesday.

This is it for today. And, as always, if you have a story, a song, an event or an issue you would like to discuss, perhaps it is time for a conversation.

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