The City of Marion worked with the U.S. Census Bureau to promote the 2010 Census. The City participated in a comprehensive review of all addresses with the Census Bureau at the most detailed level allowed by the Census Bureau, in an effort to ensure the most accurate population count for the City. Census figures for local governments such as the City of Marion were released in early 2011 and showed considerable growth in the City, from a population of 4,943 in 2000 to a population of 7,838 in 2010.

Planning Director Heather Cotton worked with McGill Associates and the McDowell Trails Association on Phase I of the Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway Project.  Construction on the project was completed in Summer 2010 and Phase I opened to the public in September 2010. Phase I of the Greenway offers a one-mile recreational trail, picnic area, fishing pier, wildlife observation deck, and access to the Little Round Hill Trail.  The entrance to the greenway is located on Sam Phillips Drive just west of the Lowes Home Improvement Store on Highway 70 West.

Phase II of the Greenway will extend from the end of Phase I under the Highway 221 Bypass at least as far as the McDowell House property. The City has obtained grant funding to pay for the vast majority of costs for Phase II. The City, County and McDowell Trails Association have agreed to split the local match required for the project. Construction of Phase II is expected to begin in the Summer of 2013.

The City has also leased property from Great Meadows, Inc. off of Highway 221 North Business for a canoe launch site and nature park area. The canoe launch will be part of Phase II of the Greenway.

In 2008, the City of Marion was awarded a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Action Plan grant from the North Carolina Department of Transportation.  The Safe Routes to School Program was created by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, and is maintained by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. The Center assists communities like Marion in enabling and encouraging children to safely walk and bike to school by equipping local communities with the knowledge and technical information to implement safe and successful strategies.

The historical resources located in Marion is one of the City’s most valued and important assets. The conservation and preservation of individual historic properties and historic districts ties the community together and strengthens the economy.

City Council adopted an ordinance on March 24, 2009 establishing Marion’s first Historic Preservation Commission. The Historic Preservation Commission is comprised of five members appointed by the Marion City Council who are responsible for the general oversight of the historic preservation ordinance. In addition, the Historic Preservation Commission is responsible for making recommendations to City Council on the nomination of local landmarks and districts.

McDowell House
The City has partnered with McDowell County, the McDowell County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and other local agencies to develop plans for the restoration and future use of the McDowell House.  The McDowell House, built by the namesake of McDowell County, Colonel Joseph McDowell, is one of the oldest surviving structures in McDowell County.  McDowell County purchased the McDowell House in early 2008, with financial support from the City and TDA.  A committee is currently studying possible uses for the house and property, particularly uses that will allow the public to have access to this historic structure.  The committee is also looking at ways to raise funds for the restoration of the house.

The City of Marion is currently working on several economic development projects, including retail and commercial, industrial, residential and governmental projects, in an effort to create jobs locally, to expand local shopping opportunities and to expand the property and sales tax base for the community.  Some of the projects are confidential, but information is shown below on some projects which have been announced or which are pending:


1.       Sugar Hill Road/Wal Mart Supercenter Commercial Development – The City has worked with a commercial developer and McDowell County to recruit a large commercial development, anchored by a Wal Mart Supercenter at the interchange of Sugar Hill Road and Interstate 40.  This development has created hundreds of jobs and several hundred thousand square feet of retail space.  In addition to the Wal Mart Supercenter, additional retail space for smaller stores is available in the Grandview Station Shopping Center and on several retail outparcels on Sugar Hill Road will be available.  The City obtained $1.3 million in grant funds from the North Carolina Rural Center and the Appalachian Regional Commission to fund the majority of the projected $2 million cost to extend water and sewer service on Sugar Hill Road to I-40.  The water and sewer extension began in May 2011. Water service was extended to the site in July 2011and sewer service in October 2011 to allow for the opening of the Wal Mart Supercenter and other retail shops. The developer closed on the property in May 2010 and then completed grading of the site. Construction began on the 150,000 square foot Wal Mart Supercenter and 40,000 square feet Grandview Station retail shops in April 2011 and was completed in September 2011. The Wal-Mart Supercenter and many of the shops in the Grandview Station Shopping Center opened in October 2011, with additional shops opening after that time. The development site, along with the Sugar Hill Road corridor between Shady Lane and I-40, was annexed by the City in January. 

The City and County continue to stress to Wal Mart the need to fill the former Wal Mart building on Highway 70 West. The City has communicated with Wal Mart real estate representatives, as well as the realtor marketing the property. The building is receiving interest and an announcement may soon be forthcoming concerning a possible tenant or tenants.

Murphy Oil constructed and opened a new gas station/convenience store in Spring 2012 on one of the outparcels at the Grandview Station Shopping Center on Sugar Hill Road.

The Sugar Hill Road corridor is receiving considerable interest from potential retail chains looking at expanding to Marion.

2.       The City Council approved an incentive package on January 18, 2011 for the expansion of Rock Tenn, as authorized under NCGS 158-7.1. The industry expansion involves the investment of $18,500,000 in machinery and equipment and the expansion and the creation of 124 new jobs at wages exceeding the average local wage. Rock Tenn has consolidated operations in other state to the former Swift Galey building on East Court Street. The City believes that these improvements and the jobs created will stimulate the local economy and promote business in the City of Marion. The City will provide Rock Tenn with annual cash grants to be paid out of its general fund in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the additional property tax paid to the City as a result of the project, as compared to a baseline tax value prior to the project, for a period not to exceed five years.

The City of Marion has determined that the value of such public benefit as calculated under NCGS 158-7.1 would be at least equal to if not greater than the benefits provided to Rock Tenn.

The City and County have been working on this project for a considerable amount of time. Rock Tenn renovated the Swift Galey building and relocated from the Burgin Street location in early 2012. The Burgin Street is on the market for sale. The City and County hope that a company can be attracted to this building, creating jobs and investment for the benefit of the community.

3.       The City has been in communications with Great Meadows Inc, owners of the McDowell Square Shopping Center on Highway 70 West. Great Meadows is working to fill their current shopping center and to add retail businesses on the northern side of the City.

4.       Dollar General constructed a new store on Highway 221 South in the City in late 2010 and opened a new store on East Court Street in early 2012.

5.       The Spectrum Dyed Yarns plant on Barnes Road has reopened and plans to employ 49 people.  The new owner of the plant, Mr. Kim, has been in the textile business for many years, and viewed the Spectrum plant as a solid investment.  Mr. Kim’s announcement stated that the former Spectrum facilities in Marion and Kings Mountain will be consolidated into the Marion facility.  This is a great opportunity to re-establish the textile sector in Marion, for jobs to be created and investment to be made in Marion.  The City, County and State worked with Mr. Kim on this project.

6.       Construction was completed in late 2010 on a new Bojangle’s restaurant at the intersection of North Main Street and McDowell High School Road. 

7.       The City and County havec worked toidentify funding options to extend water, sewer, and road access to the County's Ashworth Road Industrial Park. This property, along with adjacent acreage, have the potential to form an industrial/commercial megasite along I-40, capable of attracting industrial and retail development and creating large numbers of jobs and investment.

8.       McDowell County, with the full support of the City and other community agencies, recently purchased the 360 acre Universal Furniture building off of Highway 226, with frontage along Interstate 40 and obtained over $2.1 million of funding to retrofit the building to contain a 50,000 square foot industrial training center. McDowell Economic Development Association has recruited companies to located in much of the 400,000 square foot Universal Furniture property. The remaining acreage, along with the City's adjacent 80+ acre property, could be the location of future commercial or industrial development. The County will be seeking grants to extend City water service to this property..

9.       The City continues to work with the McDowell Economic Development Association to recruit industry into the City, in addition to the projects noted above.

10.       Little Siena, an Italian restaurant, formerly located on Highway 70 West in the Pleasant Gardens community, relocated to Marion in late 2010 near the Highway 226/221 South intersection.  The restaurant is located in a building constructed by the McKinney family.

11.      Mr. Allen Gurley constructed a new medical office building on Sugar Hill Road in 2010 to house phyisician offices for the McDowell Hospital. The City participated in the grant application for this project.

12.       In 2011 and 2012, the City worked with developers considering four major multi-family apartment projects, one in the area of North Main Street (US 221 Business), one off of Highway 70 West, one off of Bakersville Road behind Hospice of McDowell County and one on Mill Road nearv the new Wal-Mart Supercenter. All four developers have sought or may seek in the future North Carolina Housing Finance Agency tax credits, which will determine if any of the projects can be pursued. All four developments would expand affordable housing opportunities, while creating tax base and utility sales for the City. The Bakersville Road site would be a housing development for senior adults. The City hopes that one or more projects will be funded and can be constructed.

13.       Tractor Supply opened in the former Winn Dixie building on North Main Street in 2011, with the Swamp Fox Tavern opening in remaining space in the building in 2012.

14.       The City is also working with several other property owners and developers on retail and commercial projects of varying size, both in the downtown area and in other areas of the City.  The current economy had slowed down many of these projects; however, interest in Marion remains high and announcements may be made in the near future.

15.       As part of the N.C. STEP Program, the City made $50,000 in grants available to small businesses in the City to allow for job creation and/or retention, inventory expansion, marketing or physical improvements to businesses.  The 13 grant recipients were announced in August 2009 and projects were completed by the end of 2009, resulting in the creation and/or retention of many jobs.  These grants should have a great impact on many small businesses in the City for years to come.

16.       The City, County and other local agencies continue efforts to recruit a new medium security prison to the community.  The City Council has offered to give the State of North Carolina at no charge either of two large acreage sites owned by the City for a new prison and/or prison laundry facility. 

17.       The City, County, Chamber, Marion Business Association and other local agencies continue to promote available commercial property on a website, www.mcdowellcommercialsites.com.  This site can be accessed through a variety of internet searches related to commercial property in Marion, Old Fort, McDowell County and Western North Carolina.  Realtors and property owners with available commercial property are encouraged to contact Freddie Killough at the Marion Business Association at (828) 652-2215 for information on how commercial property could potentially be listed on the website. 

18.       The City offers a Residential Development Incentive Program to encourage development of single-family and condominium/townhouse development in the City.  The program provides for cost sharing of needed infrastructure for a residential development between the City and a developer.  For more information on this program, please contact City Manager Bob Boyette at (828) 652-3551.

19.       The City, County, Marion Business Association (MBA) and McDowell Economic Development Association (MEDA) have worked to create a Historic Marion Facade Program, with $15,000 of funding from the MBA and MEDA for exterior improvements to buildings in Downtown Marion. After an application period, six grants were approved in April 2011 by the Review Committee, composed of board members from the four organizations. Four of the grants were implemented by the deadline of October 2011. The four organizations anticiapte that these projects will improve the appearance and business climate of the downtown area. The City, County, MBA and MEDA offered a second year of the Historic Marion Facade Grant Program in early 2012, with several additional projects approved. These projects will be implemented by late 2012. The City, County, MBA and MEDA hope to continue and enhance the Facade Grant Program in future years, For more information on this program, please contact MBA Executive Director Freddie Killough at (828) 652-2215.

20.       Many new businesses, particularly retail and food service businesses, have opened in the downtown area over the past 2-3 years, increasing the number of retail businesses and the overall diversity of businesses in Downtown Marion.. The Chamber of Commerce, MBA, MEDA, City and County began a ribbon cutting program, coordinated by the Chamber, in June 2010. Since that time, over 60 ribbon cuttings have taken place, most of them in the City of Marion.

For more information on City economic development efforts, please contact City Manager Bob Boyette at (828) 652-3551 or Marion Business Association Executive Director Freddie Killough at (828) 652-2215).

In 2011, the City completed a $6.6 million project to eliminate the Catawba River Wastewater Treatment Plant and its discharge upstream of Lake James and to upgrade the City’s Corpening Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.  As part of the project, the Catawba Plant was turned into a pump station and wastewater flow from the Catawba Plant pumped to the Corpening Creek Plant.  The project also greatly reduced inflow and infiltration of stormwater and creekwater into City wastewater collection lines.  The project modernized and improved the Corpening Creek Wastewater Plant and made the facility a true 3 million gallon per day wastewater plant capable of meeting all current and future State and Federal regulations.

Completion of the project was necessary to avoid possible State fines and the prospects of the City not being able to connect additional wastewater customers, which would have effectively shut down the City’s economic development program, as well as County industrial recruitment efforts around Marion.

The City obtained $5.3 million in grant funding for the project and $1.3 million in no interest 20 year loans to complete the project.  This funding included $3 million in Clean Water Management Trust Fund grants, $1 million in Rural Center grants, $1.3 million in Federal Stimulus Funding grants and $1.3 million in Federal Stimulus Funding no interest 20 year loans. 

The City maintains a prioritized list of planned street and sidewalk improvements.  Work that is prioritized includes:

1 Crescent Drive – Curb and Gutter replacement, along with water line replacement – To be completed by City crews in 2012-13

2 East Court Street – Sidewalk – Add new section of sidewalk from Branch Street to Yancey Street – Seek DOT funding again in Fall 2012

3 Ridge Road/Church Street – Construction of asphalt trail along road between East Court Street and School Street – Contract out in 2012-13

4 New Street/North Garden Street – Complete drainage improvements – To be completed by City crews in 2012-13 or 2013-14, as schedule allows

5 West Fourth Street (East Marion) – Pave street – Contract out in 2013-14

6 North Garden Street – Curb and Gutter replacement  – To be completed by City crews or be contracted out in 2013-14

7 Logan Street – Sidewalk – Add new section of sidewalk behind Wachovia Bank – Seek DOT funding again in Fall 2012 or have City crews complete work in 2013-14

8 Open up Washington Street to Miller Avenue - Contract out in 2013-14 or 2014-15, depending on budget           

9 Cross Street – Curb and gutter and sidewalk replacement (Water line replacement needed) – Evaluate timing of project in 2012-13

10 Morgan Terrace – Asphalt curb replacement (Repair sections and add new sections where needed) – (Sewer work needed at area near intersection with Clay St.) – Evaluate timing of project in 2012-13

11 Morehead Road – Curb and possible gutter installation – Evaluate timing of project in 2012-13

The priorities listed above are subject to change. The timing of the completion of the projects is dependent on the availability of funding.

After years of searching for land for a community park in the Clinchfield neighborhood, in 2010, the City was given 10 acres of property off of Hill Street in the Clinchfield neighborhood by Mr. Frank Boldon.  In the Spring and Summer of 2012, City crews constructed Clinchfield Community Park on this property. The property is accessed through a parking lot located on the property. In the future, the property will also be reached through a greenway that will extend from Virginia Road, allowing good access from both sides of the Clinchfield neighborhood to the park.  The park is similar to community parks constructed by the City in the West Marion, Cross Mill and Eastfield communities and contains playground equipment, a picnic shelter, a walking track/greenway and a basketball court. 

After years of searching for land for a community park in the East Marion neighborhood, the City was provided land in 2009 adjacent to Eastfield Elementary School, through a long term lease with McDowell County Schools.  The property is accessed off of Perry Street.  The park is similar to other community parks constructed by the City and contains playground equipment, a picnic shelter, a walking track/greenway and a basketball court. 

The North McDowell Avenue extension was opened to traffic, as of late 2009. The opening of the street concluded a two year project of the City to improve traffic flow in the vicinity of East Court Street, Oak Street and McDowell Avenue.

As part of the new street alignment, motorists on North McDowell Avenue have the right of way at the intersection with Oak Street.  Motorists on Oak Street must stop at this intersection.  Traffic signal improvements were made by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) at the McDowell Avenue/East Court Street intersection to provide for safety on the new street. 

The City acquired property from Dr. James Peppers in 2007 to allow for the North McDowell Avenue extension to take place.  The City received funding from NCDOT and Norfolk Southern Railway to pay for 100 percent of the design and construction costs of the street extension, as part of the City’s agreement to close the Clay Street railroad crossing.  The City and NCDOT later agreed to have NCDOT complete part of the construction work and to hire contractors to complete parts of the project that could not be done by NCDOT personnel.  NCDOT began work on the street extension in June and completed the final work on the traffic signals at the East Court Street/North McDowell Avenue intersection on December 3, allowing the street to be opened immediately.

The Clay Street railroad crossing was closed in early 2010 and the traffic signal at Clay Street and East Court Street was subsequently removed. 
Mayor Steve Little stated that “the North McDowell Avenue extension is a creative example of the City trying to meet a local need by helping to alleviate traffic congestion in several residential areas.  This project will hopefully help improve traffic flow around the City, particularly between East McDowell Junior High School and Marion Elementary School and surrounding areas.”  Little added that the City appreciates the efforts of NCDOT in providing funding for the project and in coordinating the construction.

For further information, please contact City Manager Bob Boyette at 652-3551.

The City of Marion has been honored as an NCLM Green Challenge municipality by the N.C. League of Municipalities.  The City of Marion achieved Advanced Level status by completing specific activities and projects to save energy, natural resources and money.  Marion was one of only 22 out of more than 540 cities, towns and villages in North Carolina recognized for reaching the Advanced Level.

Cities and towns that achieved NCLM Green Challenge status were honored at the NCLM Annual Conference, October 25-27, 2009, at the Greenville Convention Center.  

“Municipalities continue to lead the way in implementing sustainable operations and innovations that save energy, natural resources and money,” said Morehead City Mayor Jerry Jones, 2008-2009 NCLM president. “The League is proud to honor these cities and towns that have made tough decisions that will have a positive impact on their communities, citizens, region and state for years to come.”

The NCLM Green Challenge was the brainchild two years ago of then-NCLM President Susan Burgess, Charlotte council member, as a way to honor those municipalities that have taken the initiative to conserve energy and natural resources at the local government level.

Approximately 80 North Carolina municipalities, including Marion, achieved Level One Green Challenge status last year. This year, 22 more have been approved for Advanced Level, while 13 have been approved for Intermediate Level. In addition, four municipalities joined the ranks of the Level One Green Challenge communities this year.

“It is so exciting to see so many municipalities across the state continue to work hard on sustainability issues,” said Burgess. “We will no doubt see municipal officials from these cities and towns share their good ideas with others over the next months and years so that even more communities can save energy and natural resources.”

Marion Mayor Everette Clark stated that the City of Marion achieved the Advanced Level Green Challenge Status by demonstrating efforts to promote recycling, greenways and trails, energy conservation in City facilities, high density development and mixed use developments in areas served by existing infrastructure, tree planting and preservation and by pursuing other activities.  Mayor Clark stated that “the Advanced Level recognition puts Marion in the top five percent of municipalities statewide in efforts to protect the environment, conserve energy and to save money.  This award is a testament to the efforts made by our City Council, City staff and volunteers such as our Tree Board in numerous areas.”

In 2009, the City installed a free wi-fi network in the downtown corridor.  Several months ago, the City released a Request for Proposals to interested companies to build the wi-fi network.  Trificient Technologies out of Mount Airy, NC was selected to make the installation.  The installation was funded through an N.C. STEP Program grant at no cost to City taxpayers.

The system is run out of City Hall, with transmitters located on the Griffith’s Jewelers building, the Police Department and City Hall.  The service is available all along Main Street stretching from City Hall and the Community Building to just south of the Police Department.  Service is also available about one block off of Main Street, at the new Historic Marion Tailgate Market Shelter on West Henderson Street and in the Depot area.

The service can vary from 1.5 Meg downloads up to 6 Meg.  The services are best along Main Street and the bandwidth speed drops off some as you move out to the side streets.  The City also installed a time monitor to make sure no one is abusing this service.  After one hour, the network will require a user to log back on.  Vendors at the new Tailgate Market Shelter will be able to stay connected when they are away from their home or office.

City officials remind people who use the network that the City is merely making the service available and that City staff will not be able to assist with individual problems like how to surf the Internet or use the system.  The service is open and free to the public. 

People having problems connecting to the downtown wi-fi network are encouraged to report such problems to City Hall at 652-3551 between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.  People may call the Police Department non-emergency number at 652-3231 to report connection problems on nights, weekends and holidays. 

Officials from the City of Marion and McDowell County have completed a voluntary Source Water Protection Plan for the Buck Creek intake and the surrounding watershed.  The resulting plan identifies strategies to protect public drinking water derived from this source.

The cooperative effort encouraged public participation and promoted partnerships with other groups and agencies.  The North Carolina Rural Water Association, the Public Water Supply Section of NCDENR and the North Carolina Division of Water Quality all pledged to support this effort. 

The source water protection planning team reflected a diverse coalition of local expertise and interests, including representatives from the City of Marion, McDowell County, McDowell County Soil and Water Conservation, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Isothermal Planning and Development Commission and the Lake Tahoma Homeowner’s Association.  Chris Hollifield, Public Works Director for the City of Marion and Ron Harmon, Planning Administrator for McDowell County, led the planning team.

In 2007, the City received two State and Federal grants to fund the acquisition of 36.96 acres at the top of Mt. Ida which overlooks the City.  The City Council approved the acquisition of the property to protect the top of Mt. Ida from potential development that would have drastically altered the mountain view and landscape.  The City eventually plans to improve and construct walking trails from the bottom of the mountain to the mountaintop and to construct a picnic shelter and possibly a small meeting space. 

After more than two years of negotiations, in 2010, the City received approval from State funding agencies to allow existing television towers on the property acquired by the City to remain.  The State and Federal grant rules required the existing towers to be removed, but the City Council requested the State to allow the existing towers to stay, to allow for people receiving television service by antenna to continue to receive good reception.