Lafayette city council candidates told a Chamber of Commerce forum that the council shapes the conditions under which small businesses operate and urged steps including streamlined permitting, better outreach and targeted incentives.

The candidates said the council’s most direct levers include local regulation, permitting, infrastructure investment and partnerships with the Chamber and economic-development staff. “The environment that small businesses and local businesses come into is what is set by the city council,” said Saul Taka Vega, a current member of the Lafayette City Council, running for re-election. “For me, it means streamlining permitting, equitable access to resources, access to capital and investing in local infrastructure.”

Why it matters: Small businesses were repeatedly described by candidates as the backbone of Lafayette’s downtown and neighborhood economies. Several candidates tied the success of local businesses to predictable timelines for permits and licensing, arguing that delays impose direct costs on employers.

Candidates advocated a mix of ideas to reduce friction. Eric Ryant, an independent business owner, said the council should consider grant programs and tax incentives to reduce the uncertainty facing small firms. Adam Gianola, an attorney and long-time volunteer on Lafayette advisory committees, and others urged a single “shepherd” or staff liaison to guide entrepreneurs through permitting. Several candidates praised the city’s “vacant to vibrant” program and the Department of Economic Development as existing supports but said more could be done.

Candidates also recommended clearer online guidance for business owners and more proactive outreach. “The city could partner with community partners like the Chamber to create a road map,” Gianola said, urging a plain-language walk-through of planning and permitting steps for businesses at different stages.

Candidates differed on the scale and pace of change and on whether to prioritize retention of the city’s small‑town character over more aggressive economic development. Luke Arrington, a member of the Open Space Advisory Board, emphasized the need for an assigned personnel or team to help businesses move past “log jams” in permitting. Others suggested modest staffing increases or consultant support to measure turnaround time and set targets.

The forum answers reflected a common theme: candidates want Lafayette to be welcoming to entrepreneurs while maintaining the codes and protections that ensure safety and community standards. No formal policy or vote was recorded at the forum; candidates were describing priorities they would pursue if elected.