over $3 million to paving projects, combining $1.5 million in city funds with a $1.5 million state grant. “We paved a total of 62 streets this year in the community, which is unprecedented,” Murphy explains. This level of investment is setting new benchmarks for infrastructure improvements. Public safety has also been a major priority. The city allocated $1.7 million for new equipment and vehicles for police and fire departments. The longawaited rebuild of Fire Station No. 1, closed since 2015, will begin construction in 2025, an estimated $5-6 million project. These investments reflect the city’s commitment to enhancing safety and meeting the needs of its growing community. STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMY THROUGH INNOVATION Marion’s economic landscape is evolving, with anchor businesses and innovative initiatives paving the way for growth. One of the city’s largest employers, GM, has invested $500 million to retool its local plant for electric vehicle (EV) production. “That was a huge boom for our industrial space,” Murphy shares, highlighting how GM’s commitment signals confidence in Marion’s workforce and future. Other major players, like Café Valley Bakery, continue to expand. “They added about 100 new employees in 2024 and are looking to add another 100 to 150 employees,” Murphy notes, adding that the bakery is investing over $23 million to grow its operations. These expansions not only create jobs but also reinforce Marion’s industrial strength. The city is actively pursuing clean, modern industries to complement its traditional industrial base. Proximity to EV battery and data center developments in nearby cities positions Marion to attract suppliers and partners in these booming sectors. “These are billion dollar projects, how do we attract some of their suppliers to locate and build facilities in Marion to help support that regional business, so that’s something that we’re certainly focusing on. But we want to make sure that it’s clean and it’s modern and that it’s not a big smokestack that’s going to give people environmental concerns, we want nice clean beautiful industrial space in our community,” Murphy emphasizes, reflecting Marion’s vision for sustainable growth. Small businesses are also benefiting from Marion’s first-ever revolving loan fund, which provides up to $50,000 for eligible projects at an interest rate of 1%. “We’re now able to provide small businesses with some very, very low-interest money,” Murphy shares, describing the fund as a catalyst for local entrepreneurs. 52 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01
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