PRESS RELEASE: Democratic City Council Candidates Release Results from Listening Session with Lynchburg Business Owners
Listening session highlights the connection between local business growth, public schools, public safety, infrastructure, and quality of life.
LYNCHBURG, Va. — Lynchburg Better Together City Council candidates Christina Delzingaro, Dave Henderson, and Nat Marshall have released a new summary of feedback gathered during a May 12 listening session with local business owners.
The document, “What We Heard From Business Owners,” reflects a clear message from Lynchburg’s business community: local economic growth depends on more than business recruitment alone. Business owners want city leadership that understands the connection between strong schools, safe streets, vibrant public spaces, affordable commercial corridors, infrastructure investment, and opportunities for young people.
“Business owners are telling us that quality of life is economic development,” said Dave Henderson. “If we want local businesses to grow, we need to make Lynchburg a place where people want to live, work, visit, start companies, raise families, and stay.”
The listening session identified three major priorities.
Quality of life is economic development. Business owners called for continued investment in outdoor recreation, parks, public spaces, community events, and safer commercial districts. They emphasized that these investments help attract employers, support local businesses, retain young people, and strengthen the city’s economy.
Lynchburg needs stronger support for local economic growth. Participants highlighted the importance of infrastructure, beautification, affordable and stable commercial rents, support for entrepreneurs, and stronger promotion of Lynchburg as both a visitor destination and a place where residents want to build their futures.
Public schools are central to Lynchburg’s future. Business owners were clear that strong public schools are foundational to long-term economic growth. They said quality schools help attract businesses, employers, investors, and families, while giving Lynchburg’s children stronger pathways to opportunity.
“Economic development cannot be separated from the daily lives of residents,” said Christina Delzingaro. “When we invest in schools, neighborhoods, public spaces, infrastructure, and safety, we are also investing in the conditions that allow businesses to succeed.”
Nat Marshall said the conversation reinforced the need for City Council to move beyond short-term fixes.
“Lynchburg needs a clear strategic vision,” Marshall said. “Business owners want a city where students, workers, families, entrepreneurs, and visitors can all succeed. That requires leadership that connects the dots and plans for the long term.”
The candidates said the release is part of their broader commitment to listening directly to residents, workers, business owners, educators, families, and community leaders as they build a practical agenda for Lynchburg’s future.
“Local businesses are deeply invested in this city,” Henderson said. “They want Lynchburg to thrive, and they understand that a strong local economy depends on strong communities.”
The full “What We Heard From Business Owners” summary is available at: https://www.lynchburgbettertogether.org/what-weve-heard/bizowners
About Lynchburg Better Together
Lynchburg Better Together is supporting Christina Delzingaro, Dave Henderson, and Nat Marshall for Lynchburg City Council. The campaign is focused on practical, community-centered leadership that strengthens neighborhoods, supports families, invests in public services, and builds a better future for all of Lynchburg.