Marion seeing success with economic development

Marion seeing success with economic development

New jobs, millions in investments adding up

news@theeveningtimes.com

Marion added 150 new jobs and saw $16.1 million in new investment in the city in 2015 and the first half of 2016, and city leaders are looking to keep the momentum going.

“It’s shaping up to be a pretty good year for us,” said Marion Chamber of Commerce President Mike Demster. “The activity level has just been terrific.

We haven’t hit a home run yet. But we are getting a lot of singles and doubles which of course adds up to runs.”

The city had four new business or expansion announcements in 2016 — two new nursing homes, a new 70 room hotel in Angelo’s Grove, and a soonto- open hibachi grille and sushi restaurant.

Willowbend Nursing and Rehabilitation plans to build a new 55,000 square foot facility to replace its existing building. The newly constructed facility will offer 118 skilled nursing beds and will include a designated wing of private rooms that will accommodate individuals requiring short-term rehabilitation stays and will employ 110 full and part-time jobs.

The second expansion project, by W.M. Crittenden Development L.L.C, is for a unique cottage-style nursing home facility in Angelo’s Grove. The owners plan to build seven cottages which will house up to 12 residents with room for expansion for another two to three cottages on the site.

The facility will employ about 100 people with a payroll of about $2.5 million.

Marion Planning Commission also recently approved plans for a 70 room Best Western hotel next to Colton’s in Angelo’s Grove.

The city also saw the construction and opening of a 32,000 square foot Walmart Neighborhood Market; Shelter Insurance; Funkee’s Cafe; and Amazing Parties Indoor Fun Center.

Stern Cardiovascular, the largest cardiovascular group in Memphis also opened an office in Marion, and Hino Motors announced a $55 million plan to expand its manufacturing facility in Marion.

Demster said the city is also excited about Bayer Crop Science, an international leader in the agricultural industry which built a $4.8 million facility just off I-55 and Highway 64. The facility will provide Soybean breeding research and development facilities.

“They are the largest life sciences company in the world,” Demster said. “So we are excited about that. I think that is really going to help us in continuing our efforts to develop more scientific entrepreneurism in that agri niche. Entrepreneurism is something we are trying to develop and encourage in the science area. Arkansas was 40th in patents filed. Many of them were in agri. So we’d like to keep that momentum

going and that is just a great facility for us to have.”

By Mark Randall