By KAITLYN ALANIS

Staff writer

A 2014 Marion High School graduate is bringing a lumberyard back to Main Street in Marion.

Morgan Wheeler said funding for the lumberyard has been approved, and he plans for construction to start within the next month.

“We don’t have a cement date yet, but expect it to open later this year or very early next year,” Wheeler said. “People can start looking out for some serious work being done.”

The lumberyard, to be named The Building Center, will be located on the south side of the 100 block of W. Main St., across the street from the former Marion Lumber Co.

“It’s something I feel the town can really benefit from because right now you have to drive an hour to get to one,” Wheeler said. “The goal is to eventually run it as a chain of lumberyards, but first and foremost it is to bring good products and better projects to the community.”

The Building Center will be the first lumberyard in Marion since Flint Hills Building Supply closed in 2012 under manager Matt Kukuk, who had planned to offer more lumber and building supplies in the county.

While Wheeler is young, he said he was exposed to the lumber industry throughout his life.

“My dad works in the industry, so I grew up in the lumber industry because my dad has been part of it,” he said.

Wheeler’s dad, John Wheeler, said he is proud and excited to see his son starting his own business venture.

“I believe it is something he will do really, really well at,” John Wheeler said. “It should be something he’ll have a lot of fun with, and he’ll certainly have a good opportunity to make a good business out of it.”

Wheeler said help from Emporia State University’s Kansas Small Business Development Center regional director Lisa Brumbaugh, Tampa State Bank’s executive vice-president Michele Lundy, Marion city administrator Roger Holter, and Marion economic development director Randy Collett was essential for him to get the project underway.

“It would not have gotten started without those four people,” Wheeler said.