As Deputy Executive Director of Venture Richmond, Jim Watkins makes it his business to make sure RVA gets wet. “What happens on our riverfront directly affects the growth and success of our city,” explains Watkins. “The river is finally being recognized for all that it brings to the city. More efforts are underway to utilize the river as an economic development tool.”
Using his post at Venture Richmond to unify business and community leaders, Watkins has helped form key partnerships that have enhanced the vitality of the riverfront and the community around it, particularly downtown. He uses an effective mix of economic development, marketing, promotion, advocacy, and events.
“As a teenager I explored the river off of River Road and fished near the Lee Bridge,” recalls Watkins. “As a young adult I often walked or biked what is now the James River Park System. I love the river and it is one of the city’s greatest assets.”
Jim Watkins, who also manages the Canal Walk and the Canal Cruise Boat operations, has a long track record in Richmond for finding the city’s best assets and making sure others embrace them too. He is the former chairman of the Broad Street Community Development Authority and had oversight of the authority that issued $67 million in bonds to cover the redevelopment of the downtown Broad Street area.
Today he is responsible for Venture Richmond’s Education initiatives, economic development initiatives and riverfront development. He says that the secret to the continued success of the river is to have a plan that “invites all interested parties to the table at the beginning.”