Staff writer
Doug Kjellin spends his free time thinking of ways to make money.
Kjellin bought a 1983 Oldsmobile Tornado, but then he found a cheaper ’83. He bought the second car and is in the process of breaking it down for parts. He is planning on keeping a few parts as emergency backups, then selling the rest of the parts, and selling the body of the car.
“I’m sure someone needs a demo car,” he said. “I’ll double my investment.”
Kjellin’s business sense is the reason why he is a great fit as Marion Economic Development Director. Although he has only been director for one and half years, he has already been part of the finalization of three deals that enticed businesses to relocate to Marion.
He said that Spur Ridge Vet Hospital and the Auto House moved into Marion Industrial and Business Parks under his watch. Kjellin was also instrumental in relocating the Marion County Special Education Cooperative from Florence to Marion.
After Golden Living Center vacated its former building, Kjellin was left scrambling to relocate the long-term care residents into other skilled nursing facilities in the county. Because the only other skilled nursing home in Marion is St. Luke Living Center, which operates near 98 percent capacity most of the time, Kjellin coordinated moves of Golden Living residents to Parkside Homes and Salem Home in Hillsboro and Legacy Park in Peabody.
He then had to find a business to move into the space left by Golden Living Center. Golden Living Center placed a 25-year restriction on the property to prevent another skilled nursing facility from operating at that site.
“Placing the deed restriction was a brilliant move,” Kjellin said who used to work in real estate. “I would have done the same thing.”
Since the ideal businesses to move into an expansive but one-story building were ruled out, Kjellin had to look to other sources. A prime opportunity presented itself when he learned that the Special Education Cooperative was looking to move. A move by the Co-op into the former nursing home would fill the space with little modification, would bring an organization that Marion residents use, and give the Special Education Co-op the desired increase in space for which they were searching.
Kjellin helped set up the arrangement with the Cooperative and the city. The situation could not have worked out better except for the people of Florence: two businesses — the Co-op and Spur Ridge — moved from Florence to Marion.
“I was a little afraid to walk around downtown Florence,” Kjellin said.
He realizes that the entire county is suffering from population reduction and that some businesses are either closing up or moving away. Kjellin said he is facing this challenge by trying to entice another manufacturer to set up shop in Marion, but he is also attempting to bring in smaller businesses.
“Instead of 30 or 40 jobs maybe it will be three or four,” Kjellin said.
One of his ideas is an art gallery featuring the art of Marion High School students and Marion artists. He said that the gallery, with some modest success, could turn into a café and create a few jobs.
Kjellin said that he has talked with some larger companies regarding a move to Marion but that nothing has completely worked out. He cited an instance where a bio-fuel operation wanted to open a site in Marion Industrial Park, but has not heard back from them.
Kjellin said that one of his biggest strengths is that he can relate to anyone. He said he is equally comfortable putting on a suit and “schmoozing” with the president of Tractor Supply Company as he is when working with the entry-level employees of a company. Part of the reason for this strength is that Kjellin himself has worked in a variety of position.
Kjellin started as an insurance underwriter. He then worked for Kansas Credit Union Association and then moved onto working with electronics and computers. Kjellin then started his own aviation fuel company, Integrity Refuelers. After Sept. 11, 2001, he got out of the aviation business, became a quality control inspector for aviation fuel provider, Phillips/Conoco, and traveled the country.
Kjellin was asked to join a developing firm for Tractor Supply Company where he was employed until he came to Marion.
Kjellin is originally from Marion and has moved back to the family farm. He is considering using the farm as a rural tourism venture by selling firewood and farm-raised products.
Kjellin maintains a plethora of interests. He said that he was interested in tanning and was wondering what local butchers did with deerskins. He said these interests help him connect with people trying to start businesses in Marion.
“You evaluate who you’re talking to and you convert yourself to their comfort level,” he said. “If you want to open a manufacturing business here I can talk about what you need; if someone wants a Millermatic Synchrowave TIG welder. If someone wants to open up a hair salon, I can help them with that too.”