When Dr. Leonardo “Lenny” Caballero talks about economic development, he doesn’t always kick off the conversation with the latest efforts to recruit businesses and industries to Colonial Heights. As assistant city manager and director of economic development, he frames the discussion around offering a complete package with benefits for businesses and residents alike: housing, retail, parks, events, schools and infrastructure.
“Citizens are the same everywhere. They want good schools, they want a beautiful city, good commercial businesses, good retail, good neighbors,” said Caballero, who arrived in Colonial Heights about a year ago. “Our job is to keep doing those things, because if you want businesses to come here, you need employees who want to live here.”
Caballero spent 25 years in Texas working in city management and economic development before heading overseas to Italy for an 18-month fellowship at the University of Pisa, where he taught strategic management. That experience sharpened his view of how quality of life drives economic vitality.
“When we decided to come back after the fellowship, we wanted to keep the adventure going,” he said. “My wife had family in Henrico, and when we looked at Virginia, we saw a financially stable region, great schools and a strong vision for the future.”
Listening First, Acting Strategically
Caballero’s first step in Colonial Heights was to listen – to residents, business owners, City Council and regional partners. What he heard was a desire to recapture pride in community.
“They wanted a strong community that they say Colonial Heights used to be,” he said. “And I really think it’s a sense of pride. That means beautification initiatives, keeping empty buildings full, refreshing our parks and trails, and connecting retail hubs such as Southpark Mall with the Boulevard.”
Caballero emphasizes that economic development doesn’t happen in isolation. He points to Colonial Heights’ active role in the Crater Regional Workforce Board. There are partnerships with regional schools, including Brightpoint Community College, Richard Bland College and Virginia State University. And the new Capital Region Military Alliance will open doors and resources to connect with the military and civilian community at nearby Fort Lee.
“You cannot go at this alone,” said Caballero, whose adjunct teaching career continues at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business – another key partner. “You need partnerships, and VGR is a great partnership. If the region prospers, we all prosper.”
With the city covering less than 8 square miles along the Appomattox River, Caballero acknowledges that Colonial Heights doesn’t offer multi-acre sites for manufacturing and data centers. Instead, the city can embrace its opportunities to provide housing, retail and small business growth – not to mention special events. That allows it to play a unique role as a member of Virginia’s Gateway Region, serving the needs of multiple communities and contributing to the quality of life.
“I bring opportunities to the City Council, and they make decisions based on our comprehensive plan,” he said. “My job is to make sure Colonial Heights stays business-friendly, beautiful and a place where people want to live and work.”
Building Momentum: What’s Next
Caballero is also launching new initiatives to keep Colonial Heights competitive and attractive to both businesses and residents. In October, the city will host its first Oktoberfest at White Bank Park, featuring live music and family activities.
A new city website is also in development, designed to improve communication with residents and highlight available sites and incentives for businesses. The site will include updated GIS mapping tools to help developers and entrepreneurs visualize opportunities in the city. Amber Wallace, the city’s tourism and economic development specialist, has led that digital project.
Perhaps most notably, a “one-stop shop” for business will debut in the coming months. Once a week, developers and business owners will be able to meet with Caballero and key city staff members, including those from public works and planning, during regular office hours.
“You can bring your idea on a napkin,” Caballero said. “We’ll sit down with you and talk about it. It’s about making City Hall truly business friendly.”