Our View

Our View

Marion making plans for today, tomorrow

Marion’s aggressive economic development plan, the city’s professional campaign designed to attract middle to upper income families, as well as actively soliciting new retail growth seems to be showing signs of real progress.

While it has been known for some time now, it was interesting to learn city leaders recently paved the way for actual construction work to begin on a new 55,000 square foot facility on six acres that will be home of the new Willowbend Nursing and Rehabilitation facility that we’re told will 110 highly skilled full and part time employees, many of whom will be making Marion their home.

Complementing Marion’s efforts, is a new direction Marion’s school leaders are taking under the leadership of Dr. Glen Fenter, former president of Mid-South Community College, now ASU Mid-South. Fenter proven successes and his leadership ability will play a big part in demonstrating to potential newcomers quality education is an important element in Marion’s plan for the future.

We’re told the new nursing and rehabilitation facility will offer 118 skilled nursing beds and will also include a designated wing of private rooms that will accommodate individuals requiring short-term rehabilitation stays.

Construction should begin within the next 45 days and when completed will sure to gain the attention of investors interested locating in Marion’s retail complex where there are also plans for a second motel.

With all this said, let’s also not forget the fact Marion officials being led by Mayor Frank Fogleman are again making an attempt to acquire an option on purchasing a 1,200 acre site for an industrial “supersite.

The site had been designated an industrial supersite in the past, but the option expired and the site was decertified by the state.

For those who may be unaware, supersites are large tracts of contiguous land that are choice locations used by cities to attract large industrial operations.

Let us also point out that this site was a finalist in Toyota’s search for a new truck assembly plant and was at one time named the finest site in the South for automotive manufacture by Southern Business & Development magazine.

It appears some city officials are being encouraged to double its efforts to acquire the option again in hopes of convincing Toyota and Mazda to consider locating in Marion.

This optimistic attitude comes in light of the fact the two automakers announced several weeks ago that they are partnering to build a new $1.6 billion assembly plant that would create as many as 4,000 new jobs.

If this be the case, there is no doubt that they will be looking again at this property that is currently owned by the Wallace family. The site is located within a total of 5,000 acres which is already designated for industrial growth.

It is very obvious that there is a considerable amount of positive activity going on in Marion, including the construction of a munch-needed railroad overpass to be located behind the new Walmart on Highway 77.

We suspect this particular area of Marion will certainly attract retail strip centers as well as some new franchise restaurants.

The bottom line here is that whatever Marion leaders are able to accomplish he results will certainly be beneficial to the entire Crittenden County area.