The Jamestown Award – Locality of the Year recognizes a Virginia locality that demonstrates excellence in planning through leadership, innovation, collaboration, and a sustained commitment to creating vibrant communities. This year’s award recipient for a locality with a population under 100,000 honors the Town of Scottsville for demonstrating how a small locality with limited resources can achieve meaningful planning outcomes through strong partnerships, community engagement, and a shared vision for the future.
With a population of just over 500 residents, Scottsville has demonstrated that community size does not limit planning excellence. Through a series of planning initiatives, including small area plans, strategic planning efforts, and the development of its new SV45 Comprehensive Plan, Scottsville has proactively prepared for future growth while preserving its historic character and environmental resources. By leveraging partnerships with the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, volunteers, and local leaders, the Town has created a model for effective planning in small communities.
Community engagement has been central to Scottsville’s planning efforts. The Town employed a consistent and inclusive public engagement strategy that helped build consensus around challenging issues and informed the development of its Comprehensive Plan. Community surveys revealed broad support for growth while identifying the types of development residents wanted to see, allowing the Town to make planning decisions grounded in community priorities.
Scottsville’s planning accomplishments demonstrate how innovative leadership and practical implementation strategies can help small communities prepare for growth while preserving the qualities that make them unique. Its Comprehensive Plan introduced the Town’s first Framework Plan, Transportation Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, and a unique Principles & Goals Decision-Making Framework that helps guide future development while balancing infrastructure needs, environmental stewardship, and preservation of the Town’s character.
“I congratulate the Town of Scottsville on this well-deserved recognition. Through strong partnerships and thoughtful leadership, the Town has created a model that will inspire small communities across Virginia to pursue ambitious planning goals with the resources they have,” said Meg Rupkey, APA Virginia Communications Director.
The planning awards will be presented at the Chapter’s Annual Conference on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 12:00 PM at Caesars Virginia in Danville. To view and learn about other 2026 APA Virginia award winners, please click here.
About the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association
Our mission is to make great communities happen in Virginia by offering continuing professional development and other valuable services to planners that will enable them to excel in their practice. We are committed to raising awareness about the many benefits that planning offers as a foundation for effectively addressing the physical, economic, and social changes that take place in Virginia, and to providing effective leadership in planning advocacy reflective of a diverse geography and population.
