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Marion shows positive growth

What is the state of the City of Marion? Is the economy flourishing or is it struggling?

According to Marion Economic Development Director Jami Williams things are pretty good.

She presented a slide show at a council meeting a few weeks ago and has shared the same information with various civic groups in the city.

Following is that information.

What has happened in Marion in the past two years since the Marion City Commission re-created the economic development director position?

What is economic development?

According to Williams, economic development in its simplest terms is the creation of wealth. Wealth can be created through capital investment, an increase in the tax base, and job creation.

How is economic development success measured?

— Capital investment which is the amount of cash invested in the community through construction and infrastructure improvements.

— Increased tax base caused by actual construction of new buildings or annexation of land into the city limit.

— Job creation.

Since Jan. 1, 2006, when she began as director, Williams claims there have been 22 new businesses.

— Frostbite Ice Company

— Munchkin Land Day Care Home

— Superior Wine & Liquor

— K&V Trucking

— J Photos

— Rick's Repair

— Good Happens Mini Spa

— The Auto Tek

— PLANTations

— TC's What Not Shop

— Aunt Bee's Floral & Garden Center

— Just Like Home Child Care

— Pit Stop 56

— St. Luke Physician's Clinic

— Corner Hair

— Down on the Corner

— Rick Miller Rental Units

— Kidde Corner Day Care

— 3K PowerSports

— Casa Azteca Restaurant

— Serendipity Salon

— Cardie Oil Tire & Service Center

Of these new businesses, five are home-based and 30 net new jobs were created.

In the past two years, 10 businesses have closed. They were Country Lakes Café, Up In Smoke, Brenda's Bloomers & Gifts, Heather's Heavenly Edibles, Main Street Flowers, Mike's Service Center, Movement Connection, Prairie View, Stone City Café, and Vision Quest Computers. Two empty buildings remain from these closed businesses.

Prior to Jan. 1, 2006, there were 11 empty buildings with seven being filled. PLANTations opened in the former ATMOS Energy building, TC's What Not Shop opened in the former Marion Mini-Mall, Aunt Bee's now occupies the former Main Street Flowers location, and Down On the Corner/Corner Hair opened at the Up In Smoke location.

Other development included a new grain storage bin at Cooperative Grain & Supply, a fine arts center, indoor swimming pool, and gymnasium planned and built by USD 408, a storage shed for Pilsen State Bank, a lumber barn at Seacat DoitBest, Superior Wine & Liquor/Hair Company/Pit Stop 56 at Marion Business Park, Cardie Oil Tire Company and a city speculative building at the city's industrial park.

There were 16 building permits issued for commercial construction and 15 new houses in the past two years.

Is Marion prospering or dying? Williams' response is prospering with new businesses, new homes, neighborhood revitalization, school improvements, water plant improvements, street improvements, and new commercial construction.

"Remember, we are all ambassadors for the City of Marion," Williams said. "The next time you hear someone say 'Nothing is happening in Marion', share these statistics."

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