Marion Economic Development Company

Why Manufacturing Matters:

2012-03-06T11:16:00.000-08:00

A February 2012 study by the Brookings Institute recently looked at American manufacturing and why it matters to the U.S. economy. I have included below, highlights from the conclusion of the study.

Why Does Manufacturing Matter?
#371 - March 6, 2012

Susan Helper, Timothy Krueger, and Howard Wial

Manufacturing provides four important benefits to the U.S. economy:

Manufacturing pays above-average wages to workers from virtually all demographic groups and all occupational categories.
Manufacturing promotes innovation: it accounts for the lion's share of R&D spending.
Manufacturing is a key part of reducing the trade deficit.
Manufacturing makes a large contribution to environmental sustainability.

Certain whole industries stand out for their contributions on these measures (and have been growing in recent years or have strong growth potential); computers and electronics, chemicals (including pharmaceuticals), transportation equipment (including aerospace and motor vehicles and parts), and machinery are especially important. Other industries, such as food processing, are also likely to grow. The nation would benefit from programs that aid firms in all industries in adopting more "high-road" strategies that advance critical national goals.

The United States needs a manufacturing policy that will enable more firms to adopt high-road strategies and help existing high-road firms to expand. Such a policy must address four major challenges that modern manufacturing faces: R&D support, worker training, financing of productive investment, and reconstituting mechanisms for creating and sharing productivity improvements In addition to promoting the high road, a U.S. manufacturing policy should be based on the principles of multiple levels of policy (economy-wide, industry-specific, and firm-specific) and shared responsibility on the part of employers, workers, unions, and government.

General policies to improve productivity and wages (such as policies to support education, training, and basic scientific research) are not sufficient. Industry-specific policies are also needed because manufacturing industries, like other industries, are subject to market and policy failures that can be corrected only with considerable industry-specific knowledge and with the participation of firms and other institutions that support the industry.

The main challenge to creating a vibrant U.S. manufacturing sector is America's lack of political will to create national manufacturing policy. Explaining the root cause of this inaction is difficult, as other countries with very dissimilar political and economic systems (e.g. China, Japan, Denmark, and Germany) have all developed manufacturing strategies.

Click here to read the full study.

Positive Jobs Outlook in Marion

2012-02-27T08:53:00.003-08:00

Positive Jobs Outlook in Marion

“For you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone, for the times, they are a changin’.” Bob Dylan, 1964.

The times are changing as Marion companies are swimmin’ and changin’ for the better. Since 2008, the United States has been mired in its deepest recession since the Great Depression of the 1930’s. While Iowa and Marion have not been as negatively impacted as other regions of the country, we have seen our share of reduced economic activity. One indicator of economic activity is the unemployment rate, and the chart below compares Iowa and United State levels of employment. While Iowa’s rate of unemployment has been consistently better than the national average, many Marion and Corridor Area companies reduced their workforce in 2008 and 2009. What is the workforce outlook in Marion since 2009?

Over the course of the past few months, staff of the Marion Economic Development Company has visited with 31 Marion manufactures, tech companies and larger commercial businesses. One question asked was, “What is your greatest accomplishment of the past three years?” It should come as no surprise that over half of respondents replied something to the effect of, “Keeping the doors open.” The good news is that those companies that struggled for 2-3 years are now seeing very positive growth as indicated by increased hiring.

Employment data provided by 31 Marion businesses show’s steady job growth since 2010. A total of 1,094 were employed in 2010. Nineteen of the 31 companies expanded their workforce in 2011with total employment expanding to 1,246. Those same 31 companies were asked to project hiring for 2012 and 26 companies plan to hire an additional 222 workers; an across the board 12% increase. Only 1 business projects a reduction in their workforce.

One interesting aspect of Marion’s job growth is that all sectors are experiencing resurgence in business. Timberline Manufacturing has taken the lead as Marion’s largest manufacturer as they are completing a 15,000 sq. ft. expansion to accommodate new employees and product development. Timberline is a technology driven company that builds high-end electronic controls and components. Another expanding company is Marion Mixers. They can be considered a more traditional manufacturer of proprietary steel/metal products used in the food processing industry. Marion Mixers has invested heavily in research and development and are expanding operations to build new product lines for an expanding customer base. Berthel Fisher is a fine example of a growing commercial enterprise. Berthel-Fischer is a financial services company with offices in 33 states and with corporate headquarters in Marion. They recently purchased a Houston, Texas brokerage firm and are moving those operations to Marion.

While Iowa and the United States have not yet fully recovered from the recession; local employment indicators are showing resurgence in business growth. Businesses in Marion and the Corridor region, as a whole, are feeling cautiously optimistic about the future. …and the times, they are a changin’.

Reservations Accepted for MEDCO Luncheon

2012-02-09T11:16:00.000-08:00

Maureen Collins-Williams to Keynote Annual MEDCO Luncheon

(Marion, IA) The Marion Economic Development Company (MEDCO) is announcing plans for their 27^th Annual Business Luncheon. The luncheon will be held 11:45, Wednesday, March 14, 11:45 – 1:15 p.m. Best Western Longbranch, 90 Twixt Town Rd, Marion, IA. Social begins at 11:15 with lunch beginning promptly at 11:45. MEDCO Chair, Anne Loomis will review the past year’s activities and discuss MEDCO’s role in future economic development activities in Marion and the Corridor. Retiring board members will also be recognized.

The keynote speaker will be Maureen Collins-Williams, the Director of Entrepreneurial Outreach at the University of Northern Iowa. Prior to joining the University, Collins-Williams was a Senior Business Consultant for the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED), a research and economic development policy non-profit housed in Des Moines, Iowa and Washington DC. As Director of the Regional Business Center, Collins-Williams has been instrumental in raising over $3 million in outside funding to beta test, implement and evaluate a number of rural/urban entrepreneurship initiatives in Iowa, including a successful rural entrepreneurship development system called MyEntreNet. She also established a service/technology incubator in the distressed Waterloo central business district and a technology transfer incubation initiative on the UNI campus.

Read more about Maureen Collins-Williams and make your reservation to attend the luncheon by visiting the MEDCO website at: http://www.medcoiowa.org/Events/AnnualLuncheonRegistration.aspx

New "Corridor" Marketing Brand Announced

2012-02-03T14:32:00.000-08:00

A new “Corridor” marketing brand was announced Friday, February 03, 2012. The “Iowa’s Creative Corridor” brand will provide a positive, consistent marketing theme for communities in the seven-county Kirkwood service area. Those counties include: Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties. MEDCO and the City of Marion joined with 13 other regional partners to fund the two-year branding process. MEDCO would like to recognize and thank John Lohman of the Corridor Business Journal for leading this effort.

The following story was provided by KCRG.com www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowas-Creative-Corridor-New-Regional-Brand-for-Seven-County-Area-138669779.html

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - A two-year re-branding effort involving more than 1,500 people has produced a new identity, Iowa’s Creative Corridor, for the region formerly known as Iowa’s Technology Corridor.

The new brand name and double helix logo were unveiled Friday morning at an event held at Kirkwood Community College.

John Lohman, a member of the Corridor Business Alliance task force that spearheaded the re-branding initiative, said Iowa’s Creative Corridor was selected to more accurately convey the region’s blend of art, science and technology. Lohman, publisher of the Corridor Business Journal, said the “Corridor” also is formally defined as the seven-county region along Interstate 380 served by Kirkwood.

Kirkwood serves Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties. The 4,400-square-mile Iowa’s Creative Corridor is home to more than 445,000 residents, more than two dozen municipalities, multiple higher education facilities, dozens of arts organizations, the internationally-known Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and nearly 30 Fortune 500 companies.

Chuck Peters, who also served on the CBA task force, said “creative” work goes well beyond the arts, science and technology.

“The word creative comes from the root word ‘creator’ and we are all creators whether you’re a farmer planting your field, someone designing or building avionics, or whatever you do,” said Peters, chief executive officer of SourceMedia Group. “That is the value-added activity in the world. Many things are becoming commodities, but to actually create and implement something new is valuable.

Nancy Quellhorst, president and CEO of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, said the strong relationships that have developed among public and private members of the CBA. which was formed in December 2008, will help area businesses grow, prosper and create additional employment.

“We will start to think of each other when we embark on new business initiatives,” Quallhorst said. “We will know what each of us is working on and maybe we can work through this together. There are many other public-private initiatives that can take place now that we have developed these close relationships.”

Curt Nelson, president of the Entrepreneurial Development Center in Cedar Rapids, said the CBA’s Regional Economic Development road map is unusual because it was developed jointly by representatives of public entities and private businesses and organizations. The plan details specific steps to implement economic, community and transportation development in the seven-county region.

“Doug Elliott, executive director of the East Central Iowa Council of Governments. would say that’s the first time it has ever happened in Iowa and maybe one of the first times it has happened on a national basis,” Nelson said. “That’s really of huge value to this region as it moves forward.”

Dee Baird, president and CEO of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, said the next critical step will be implementing the numerous strategies contained in the Regional Economic Development road map through alliances and partnerships.

“We need to figure out how we take all of this work that we’ve done over the last two years and allow all of these organizations and individuals to understand the story, understand the narrative, and take it to make it their own,” Baird said.

The CBA hired North Star Destinations Strategies, a Nashville, Tenn., branding firm, to assist it with the regional branding process. Research conducted by North Star found most people in Iowa’s Creative Corridor were unfamiliar with the extent of the region’s accomplishments and what the seven-county area has to offer.

Lohman said a video has been created to show what the region has accomplished in various fields as well as what the seven counties have to offer existing and new residents and businesses.

CBA members include Alliant Energy, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, Entrepreneurial Development Center, Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, Iowa City Area Development Group, Kirkwood Community College, MidAmerican Energy, Kirkwood’s Small Business Development Center, The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at the University of Iowa, University of Iowa Research Foundation, University of Iowa Small Business Development Center and East Central Iowa Council of Governments.

Opening Global Opportunities Conference on March 29th

2012-01-18T12:48:00.000-08:00

Where will your next customer come from? 96% of the world's consumers reside outside of the United States and account for over two-thirds of the world's purchasing power. Would you like to learn more about how you can expand your international business operations?

The Opening Global Opportunities Conference will be held on Thursday, March 29th which provides a great opportunity to learn how to tap your company's exporting potential. The conference will begin from 8:00am at the Hotel Julien in Dubuque, IA. This conference is sponsored by Prosperity Eastern Iowa, a regional economic development group that includes Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson, and Jones Counties and the cities of DeWitt and Marion.

During the conference, there will be some successful Iowa companies sharing their stories. Karen Dunlap, the president of Dunlap International, Inc will share her ideas about the fundamental principles and vocabulary of exporting. Consul General Martin Loken with the Minneapolis office of the Consulate General of Canada will be the keynote speaker. He will address the new border crossing regulations and ways American companies can export to Canada.

All companies located in the Prosperity Eastern Iowa region with a product or service produced, manufactured or added-value to in Iowa, who are successfully engaging in the export of these products or services are eligible for nomination of the Global Iowa Award. Submit your nomination electronically by 4:30 p.m. on February 22.The winner of this year’s Global Iowa Award will be presenting at the "Buy Local Sell Global Exporting Conference" on March 29, 2012 at Hotel Julien in Dubuque. [Click Here to Nominate]

For registrar information of the conference, please visit: http://www.prosperityeasterniowa.org/exportingconference/register.cfm. It is a great opportunity for service providers to meet with companies who may be in need of their service.

Public Open House for 6th Ave project on Jan. 24th

2012-01-11T14:29:00.000-08:00

A public open house has been scheduled for reviewing the proposed construction plans, project phasing and other important details for Phase I on Jan. 24th at 4-6pm in Marion City Hall.

Phase I is defined as 6th Avenue, from 9th Street to 13th Street. The project will include the installation of 6th Avenue from 9th Street to 13th Street and other improvements such as a multi-use path, pedestrian accommodations and streetscaping. Improvements to the storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and water mains will also take place as part of the project.

Engineers and city staff will be available to take comments and address any questions from the public. No formal presentation will be made during the open house. This is the final open house prior to completion of design and construction plans for Phase I.

Phase I of the Marion Central Corridor Project will be constructed in 2012 with the following schedule:

Property Owner Meetings -Currently Taking Place

Public Open House -January 24, 2012

Final Plans, Bid Documents, Cost Opinion -February 2012

City Letting -February 2012

Phase I Construction -Spring-Fall 2012

CLICK HERE to learn more about Phase 1.

Marion Company is named one of the top 10 technology companies!

2012-01-06T12:58:00.000-08:00

Syncbak, which is located in Marion,was named by Silicon Prairie News as one of the top ten technology company start-up in the upper midwest of the United States. To learn more about Syncbak's recognition, please check: http://www.siliconprairienews.com/2012/01/ten-silicon-prairie-startups-to-watch-in-2012

Syncbak is a media technology start-up that is enabling broadcasters to reach authenticated viewers over the internet with an unlimited line-up of ad-supported and pay-to-view television. The company’s proprietary hardware uses internet and over-the-air technologies to create a personalized, one-to-one connection between broadcasters and viewers. It then partners with broadcasters to stream all of the content they have or can acquire the rights to stream in their market. Syncbak was founded in 2009 by Jack Perry. (5 research Center, Syncbak, 2011)

On July 11, 201, Syncbak announcaed that it has closed its Series B finance round, bringing total capital raised to $5.6 million. New and existing investors include the National Association of Broadcasters, the Consumer Electronics Association, Northwest Broadcasting and three former executives of NBC.

For more information about Syncbak, please visit its official website: http://www.syncbak.com/

Local Option Sales Tax Vote set for March

2012-01-04T13:30:00.000-08:00

Marion & Metro-Area will vote on extending the Local Option Sales Tax.

The Marion/Cedar Rapids metro-area community will vote for a measure to extend the existing local option sales tax; which is due to expire June 30, 2014. On March 6, 2012, residents in Marion, Cedar Rapids, three other Metro area communities and rural Linn County will vote to approve a 10-year extension of the 1% Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). Communities are presently paying 7% in sales tax and successful passage of the measure will not increase the tax, but merely extend it for an additional 10 years.

Area residents presented a petition with more than 5,000 signatures to the Linn County Board of Supervisors to place the measure on the ballot. The pending March vote will take place in Marion, Hiawatha, Robins and Fairfax and Cedar Rapids. Voters in the unincorporated areas of Linn County will also vote. In order for the 10-year Local Option Sales Tax initiative to be extended, it must pass by a combined simple majority vote in all communities. A measure to extend LOST for a 20-year period narrowly failed to pass in 2011. The 20-year extension measure passed in Marion but because it failed in the combined metro-area Marion was unable to collect the tax.

Each community will determine how potential tax dollars will be spent, and only in Cedar Rapids will revenues be spent on flood protection. The Marion City Council approved a spending plan that will see 70% of potential revenues to be spent on street and sewer improvements. The remaining 30% of potential revenues will be invested in community projects such as construction of a new police station, expansion of the library and similar projects.

Receive City of Marion Construction Activity Updates

2011-12-09T07:32:00.000-08:00

City of Marion Construction Reports Delivered to Your Inbox!

Do you want to be kept informed about construction activity in Marion? Do you have a professional, business or curiosity interest in knowing all there is to know about construction activity in Marion? City Engineer Dan Whitlow will e-mail construction updates directly to your inbox as reports are generated. During the busy construction months, reports are usually provided on a weekly basis. As winter descends on our fair city and construction slows, reports will be less regular until spring.

To receive these reports, send an e-mail to: Dan Whitlow, dwhitlow@cityofmarion.org

Listed below is a sampling of the latest report. Click here to read the full report.

City of Marion Engineering Department Construction Activity and Status Report: 12/5/11

South 11th Street Reconstruction Project - Phase II: Rathje Construction ($1,015,131.23). The intersection of 11th Street and Grand Avenue is now temporarily opened to traffic for the winter. Please be aware that this intersection will operate as a 4-way stop until the traffic signals are installed. Congestion is expected, so please find alternative routes when possible. The first project milestone (Grand Avenue intersection) has been completed for the year with the exception of setting traffic signal poles and associated signal hardware and seeding.

Phase II includes the reconstruction of pavement and associated infrastructure from Meadowview Drive to F Avenue including the addition of new sidewalks and trails, decorative street lights, and new traffic signals at Grand Ave.

A six-day work week is required on Stages 1 and 2 of this project. Working days will be charged for Saturdays in these Stages. Construction will include 6 stages and will continue into the summer of 2012.

The contractor has used approximately 20 of 20 working days. As the next phase begins in the spring new working days will be assigned and documented associated with that phase.

Tower Terrace Road Improvement Project - Phase II - Rathje Construction Company ($684,551.68)

The contractor has completed work associated with the project. Street light poles arrived this week and will be installed next week. Seeding will occur in the spring.

The contractor has used approximately 58 of 60 working days.

Click here to read the full report.

Tower Terrace Road: Public Information Meeting

2011-12-06T08:52:00.000-08:00

Public Information Meeting on Tower Terrace Road:
4:30-6:00, Tuesday, December 6th

TTR extending from 10th St. to Alburnett Rd. in Marion

Tower Terrace Road (TTR) is a decades old road project that plans for the construction of an east-west road that will connect I-380 with highway 13. TTR will cross the north corridor region in the communities of Marion, Hiawatha, Robbins, Cedar Rapids and Linn County. The right-of-way has been established for many years and the first round of new construction has been completed in Marion. The aerial photo shows TTR as it extends westward from 10^th street in Marion. TTR will be connected to Alburnett Rd. in the spring of 2012. Click here to see a video that illustrates the planned route of Tower Terrace Road.

You are invited to attend a Public Information Meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m., at the Hiawatha City Hall, Multipurpose room, 101 Emmons Street, Hiawatha IA, to discuss the proposed interchange at I-380 / Tower Terrace Road. Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) and consultant staff will be available during this time to individually discuss the proposed project.

No formal presentation will be made; however, details of the proposed improvement will be discussed at the meeting. General information regarding the proposal is available from Catherine Cutler, District 6 Transportation Planner, Iowa DOT, 430 16th Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404, telephone 800-866-4368 or 319-364-0235.

Information, concerning this project, will be posted as it becomes available at the Iowa DOT's website: http://www.iowadot.gov/pim. You may also contact George Lake of the Marion Economic Development Company (MEDCO), 319-743-4724, george@medcoiowa.org

Certified Shovel Ready Sites in Marion

2011-12-02T13:59:00.000-08:00

Those of you who follow MEDCO communications have heard and read much discussion on the topic of Certified Shovel Ready Sites. Just what makes property a Certified Shovel Ready site? Based on a multi-step application process, sites become certified by an independent third party once the following information is provided and specific activities and studies have been completed:

· Ownership is willing to sell at a fixed, published sale price

· Parcel size, location & site specific aerial photo in detail

· Contact information for planning agency, building department, etc.

· Zoning designation and regulations

· Site access information-road, rail and airport if applicable

· Plat or property boundary map-showing easements

· Property tax history past 3 years

· Parcel boundary survey

· Title report

· Site topography map

· Phase l & Phase 2 environmental assessments

· Wetland or waters of the US boundaries review

· Archeological study

· Threatened & endangered species review

· Geotechnical assessments

· Flood plan boundaries

· Local drainage requirements and storm water management

· TIF and tax abatement districts, etc.

· Detailed utilities-all utilities, current size, future size, current capacity, future capacity, letter of commitment environmental assessments

· Preliminary site layout and opinions of site development costs

· Project permitting process.

· Workforce development information

Why are Certified Shovel Ready sites necessary? Having a site “certified” reduces the risk associated with development of particular sites by providing up front and consistent information. By providing consistent standards regarding the availability and development potential of commercial or industrial development sites, this region is remaining proactive and competitive in the site selection process. Plus, completion of studies will save developers thousands of dollars.

How does this program benefit our region? First, it improves our competitive edge by giving more certainty for businesses in locating and developing projects quickly. Secondly, it standardizes and recognizes one set of site specific data that is most demanded by site selectors and developers. Plus it encourages local economic development organizations and cities to control, invest and comprehensively analyze sites prior to client visits. Finally, a certified site demonstrates that we are committed to promoting and expediting economic development projects.

Visit www.shovelreadyiowa.com to learn more about Shovel Ready Certification in Marion and the Corridor.

Engage in International Trade

2011-11-18T11:50:00.000-08:00

You too can become an international trading company!

Have you considered expanding your company by engaging in International business? It sounds inviting and maybe even exciting! However, there often is one big problem: How do I become involved with international trade? Help is on the way from the State of Iowa to help you reach out to the international marketplace.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority has announced the receipt of a State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The STEP Pilot Grant Initiative provides grants to states for small business exporting assistance programs. The aim of the STEP Initiative is to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting and increase the value of exports for those small businesses that are currently exporting.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority will disburse grant funds via the following programs to help eligible Iowa companies develop or expand their export markets:

Technical Trade Assistance Program (TTAP) - Iowa Economic Development Authority's International Trade Office will provide an assessment of a company's export needs, provide consultation and referral(s) to a variety of export resources at the local, state and federal levels.

Domestic Trade Assistance Program (DTAP) - Provides up to $3,000 assistance per occurrence to participate in an eligible domestic trade show. Eligible shows must include an international buyers program of the U.S. Department of Commerce or the Food Export Association of the Midwest. Eligible companies can receive funding up to two times in the funding period.

Expanded Export Trade Assistance Program (ETAP) - Provides up to $4,000 per occurrence, up to three times in the funding period, to help defray expenses when participating at a trade show or on a trade mission outside of the U.S.

Product Trade Assistance Program (PTAP) - Provides up to $5,000 per occurrence to assist a company in adjusting product or product certification to expand export opportunities. Eligible companies may receive one grant in the funding period.

Applications are now being accepted online at www.iowagrants.gov

To learn more about the grant programs and how your company can benefit, e-mail: international@iowa.gov or contact Lisa Longman at 515.725.3139.

Marion's road plans for 2012

2011-11-07T11:20:00.000-08:00

The City of Marion has laid out an ambitious plan for road construction and street maintenance for 2012. Marion is one of the fastest growing communities in Iowa, and an improved transportation infrastructure is needed to support this growing population. I've included an excerpt from a very fine article by George Ford of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, that discusses Marion's plan in detail.

To read the complete article, please to go: Marion's Road Plans This link will take you to the Press Release page on the MEDCO website. Click on the first press release listed.

Marion Road Construction in 2012 Will Involve Busy Routes:

MARION — Road building projects planned by the City of Marion for 2012 will involve rehabilitation of some busy streets, construction of the first section of the Marion Central Corridor and continued progress on construction of portions of Tower Terrace Road. Assistant City Engineer Maryann Shinrock, in an annual briefing last Wednesday for builders and developers at Lowe Park Center, said the city wants to reconstruct Blairs Ferry Road from Marion Boulevard to Lindale Drive. The road, which has been resurfaced over the years to extend its useful life, is the original pavement and needs to be reconstructed with two through lanes and a turn lane.

“We will be going out for bids shortly on design, so I don’t have any details to share in terms of when construction will begin, how long it will take to complete or how much it will cost,” Shinrock said in comments to The Gazette. “We will likely have to do some right-of-way acquisition and that’s a process that could take some time.”

George C. Ford / SourceMedia Group News

Central Corridor Plan Approved

2011-11-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

City Council Approves the Central Corridor Plan

This is an exciting time to be living in Marion! Last night, Thursday, November 3, the Marion City Council passed three resolutions that will move Marion’s Central Corridor Project forward. Resolutions approved include accepting recommended alignment of the new 6^th Avenue, approving recommendations for the development and reconstruction of the Central Corridor Project and the final resolution approved the contract with JCG Land Services who will negotiate land acquisitions for the City as related to the Corridor Project.

See the approved corridor alignment

After three months of extensive discussions, in October 2009 the MEDCO Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the Central Corridor concept. Two years later, the Corridor concept has become an approved plan and is moving forward. Phase one of the project is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2012. We encourage you to stay informed about the Corridor by going to: http://www.marioncentralcorridor.com/

Click on the “Join” button and you will receive weekly e-mail updates on the project.

George K. Lake

President

Marion Economic Development Co (MEDCO)

1225 6th Ave Ste. 100

Marion, IA 52302

319-743-4724 ph

319-540-4724 cell

319-377-1576 fax

MEDCO Blog: http://medco1225.blogspot.com

george@medcoiowa.org

Aerial Photos

2011-11-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

The Marion Economic Development Company (MEDCO) just engaged in an aerial photo flyover of development ground in Marion. We will share these photos with the land owners and we will use them to help market Marion to the world.

MEDCO's mission to the community is to coordinate economic development activities by working to retain and expand the existing business base while encouraging new industrial and large commercial endeavors that benefit Marion.

Marion Enterprise Center

Marion Industrial Center

The top photo is of the 184 acre Marion Enterprise Center (MEC). We are pursuing certified shovel-ready status for MEC and the park is ready for your development project.

The bottom photo is of the 110 acre Marion Industrial Center. Roads, water, sanitary and storm sewers are in place. Like the Marion Enterprise Center, the park is ready for development.

Give me a call when you want to discuss your new development in Marion.

George Lake
President, Marion Economic Development Co.
319-743-4724
george@medcoiowa.org