MARION VA SEEKS CITIZENS’ INPUT FOR NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Like most towns, Marion has seen the effects of the Great Recession.  But unlike a lot of towns, Marion isn’t waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel.  This community is creating their own light.

Marion has been aggressively working to improve the historic downtown, with over $4.5 million dollars being spent renovating the sidewalks, saving an historic schoolhouse to be reused as a school of music and arts,  restoring downtown facades, adding awnings and a stage area to the Farmers Market, and building a new downtown parking deck – all with an eye toward attracting customers to downtown.    Town leaders have partnered to develop their own small business loan pool to assist getting entrepreneurs funded, bring in national retail and restaurant experts to assist small businesses, and have their own “One Stop Shop” to help entrepreneurs and existing business owners with every aspect of business, from planning to marketing to celebrating their Grand Openings and special events. They’re even working to bring a movie crew to town.

But that just wasn’t enough.  With a downtown vacancy rate above 16%, Marion’s Director of Community and Economic Development Ken Heath wants to fill the storefronts with vibrant, successful businesses.  And, in partnership between Marion Downtown and the Virginia Main Street Program, he’s got a good shot at it.