Over 100 visitors at the first ever Historic Marion Revitalization Association Lunch and Learn meeting learned of the current state of the City of Marion.
“I think it went wonderful,” HMRA Executive Director Chuck Wiegert said. “We had a good crowd and it was informative for the people,” he added.
Mayor Rodney Berry was the guest speaker of the new quarterly meeting held this past Wednesday at the Marion Opera House.
The special event allowed Berry and members of his staff to provide an update of the city’s activities and future plans. Berry also serves as Marion County’s Economic Development Director and began his address on that front.
Sharing what he called good news, Berry said he felt the county was being invaded by optimism. Berry mentioned the Russell Stover candy factory was sold to Icon Media Company. “The outlet store is something we can place in our inventory for sale,” he said of getting interest for a retailer to purchase the property.
Berry added there are other prospects for business. What was called the inland port project is actually a logistic center, he said. “It’s so attractive because it’s 3,000 acres with one owner. The most attractive aspect is two and half miles of rail frontage,” he said.
County stakeholders have acquired the services of CH2M Hill to develop a master plan for the property at no cost to Marion County.
“We’re at a time we can realize things more quickly,” he said.
In regards to the city’s activities, Berry spoke of the water infrastructure. Marion faces an $11 million debt on the water and sewer system, he said. “We now find ourselves losing industry and suffer $120,000 in losses annually,” he said. Berry added the city is engaging in negotiations with Grand Strand Water and Sewer that will require a referendum vote. “This is a big deal,” he said.
The Fox Watch crime watch group is on board assisting the Marion Police Department, he said. “We really need to send a message,” he said, adding that officers have been working hard.
Berry also mentioned a number of street paving and resurfacing projects will be taking place during the spring and money is being raised to improve the city’s closed down tennis courts.
Berry said the city is on the right path. “Preserve what we should but we have to try new things.”
Wiegert said the next meeting will be a two-day event that will include a presentation of the Godbold family’s town history.
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