Big turnout for Marion Chamber Banquet
Locals honored for contributions to community
news@theeveningtimes.com
The Marion Chamber of Commerce sold out every table in the Meadow Brook Country club for its 2019 awards banquet.
Arkansas Democrat Gazette Columnist Rex Nelson captivated the capacity audience with an Arkansas history lesson filled with high hopes for business growth in Marion. The chamber conducted business handing out recognition for businesses of the year and the passing of the chair person’s gavel.
Nelson said the best was yet to come for Marion and cited several predicating indicators.
“We’ve been gaining population as a state,” said Nelson. “But the growth is highly uneven. We are rapidly urbanizing as a state.
The fact that you are in the Metro Memphis area really gives you a leg up.”
Nelson touted developing tourist attractions in east Arkansas especially the growing business at the Southland Casino & Racing with a $240 million expansion. He projected positive developments for Marion in the wake of other emerging tourism in the area.
“Things I see coming in this part of the state — take the Southland expansion and add to that the expanded Sultana Museum at Marion, take what Arkansas State University did at Dyess with the Cash home and take what they are doing at Wilson on the square and the Cold War museum at Blytheville and you have critical mass for people to visit and stay in the area a couple days. Its not just come across the bridge from Memphis for a couple hours anymore. I think there is tremendous potential for Marion. Nelson noted the innovative Marion School District and the new Baptist hospital filling requirements for business expansion.”
“Marion, Crittenden County, is doing it right,” said Nelson.
Nelson said the areas was queued up to land the next major auto manufacturing plant despite being runner up with Toyota in previous efforts to land a plant. He provided a sunny forecast for major industrial benefits.
“The things that got us close on Toyota haven’t gone anywhere” said Nelson. “I can see the busiest intersection of an east-west Interstate with one of the busiest north-south Interstates in America. There’s ground transportation. I can see the largest inland river in the country. There’s your water transportation.
Across that water I can see the largest freight airport in the world. I can see one of the biggest rail intermodal facilities right down the road. For the big connection to rail logistics. This is logistical heaven and that has not gone away. So I am optimistic about Marion and Crittenden County. There are good days ahead.”
Marion Chamber of Commerce President Tracy Brick presided over the annual awards ceremony.
Mitchell Family Medicine won the outstanding business of the year after building a new facility in Marion. Brick ran down his resume including leadership in local medical causes. The practice employees 11.
“After five years with Methodist he decided to go into private practice and build a beautiful new clinic on Highway 77.,” said Brick. “He is the only board certified family medicine physician in Marion We certainly appreciate that he is staying in Marion.”
Lovelady’s Courthouse Cafe was a welcome addition to Marion when it opened 10 months ago.
“When the Lovelady’s heard the new building owner was looking for a coffee shop the Lovelady’s were immediately interested,” said Brick. After meeting the owner and lots of prayers the Lovelady’s opened in November of 2018. They have built a wonderful business in a very short time and congratulations as the Marion 2019 new business of the year.”
Robert Thorne received the accolade for member of the year. Thorne serves the community in many civic leadership roles.
“He owns two businesses in town Robert Thorne Kennels and Robert Thorne Landscaping,” said Brick.
“He was appointed by Governor Hutchinson to serve ton the quorum Court and currently serves an appointment on the Arkansas Workforce Board and the Arkansas Mansion Commission. Robert is chairman of Workforce Development of Eastern Arkansas and serves on the Marion School Advisory Board. He is president of the Arkansas Greyhound Kennel Association, where his light in the community shines the brightest.”
The association provides over $200,000 to local charitable groups, sponsor ships for local events and greyhound adoption groups across the country. The PAWS for a Cause event has provided over $500,000 to local 501(c)3 groups in Crittenden County since its inception in 2010. The Marion Chamber Foundation has used its winnings on five small business mini grants for businesses in Marion.
“Robert, you are an inspirational support for our community as a dedicated member of the Marion Chamber of Commerce,” said Brick Dentist James “Doc” Johnston was honored with the tenth annual Ernest Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award. Johnston invested his 50-year career serving Marion patients and dental associations. Johnston can boast of a 57-year marriage with children and grandchildren to boot.
“Doc Johnston started is medical practice in 1969 in Marion and we are so glad he did,” said Brick. “He has served at the Marion United Methodist Church as a Sunday School Teacher and on many committees with the church. He served as scout master of Marion troop 74, even when his kids weren’t in Scouts.
He is a Marion Rotarian and served on the Marion school board for 25 years and 20-plus years on the Marion Planning Commission.”
Cheryl Ferguson won Ambassador of the year based on participation at ribbon cuttings and other chamber events. Finally, 2019 Chamber chair Christy Johnston passed the gavel to 2020 incoming chairman John Hill.
