MBA report shows biz activity downtown

Downtown Marion has been quite busy for the past few months and city officials are looking forward to a better and more prosperous new year.
At last week's regular meeting, the Marion City Council heard a presentation from Freddie Killough, executive director of the Marion Business Association. Killough gave a report for the October-December quarter that outlines the recent economic activity in Marion.
In her report, Marion saw three new businesses open their doors. They are Catauwhale, located at 20 S. Main St.; Envious Beauty, located at 121 Railroad St.; and the Violet House Herb Store in the historic McDowell House, U.S. 70 West. The city also saw two well-known businesses close down, Dutchy Debs at 242 N. Main St. and Legendary Ford-Mercury on 66 U.S. 70 West.
The MBA has received four inquiries about business loans and three inquiries about business grants. The MBA visited all downtown businesses as part of the Christmas promotion efforts. The association heard two inquiries about properties in Marion and made two contacts with interested commercial developers.
Killough said the last quarter of the year is usually the busiest for the MBA. The Mountain Glory festival in October made a profit of $7,500, despite a poor economy and rainy weather on that day. The money made from the festival will go toward other downtown events.
However, the Christmas parade on Nov. 22 had a low turnout because of the rain. But the Melodies on Main event, held Dec. 3, had a much better turnout. During the Christmas season, 23 merchants in the downtown held a drawing for prizes that created lots of excitement, said Killough. Several hundred people attended the first-ever New Year's Eve celebration on Main Street.
In 2010, the MBA will expand the days for the Historic Marion Farmer's Market, which has become very popular. The city will also host the continuing series of E-3 economic forums.
In addition, the Farmer's Market will be honored later this month with an award from the N.C. Main Street program for the best public/private partnership project in the entire state.
Mayor Steve Little said he was excited by Killough's report and the activity in downtown Marion. Council asked her to give similar reports at the end of every quarter.
In other business, city officials approved a contract with the Revis Group of Marion for Web site development and communications consulting. The firm will receive $7,500 to design a new Web site for the city of Marion. The Revis Group will also be paid $6,500 for improvements to the city's cable TV channel and getting the city involved with social networking sites, like Facebook. The contract is part of the city's new effort to improve communication with the public.
City officials also talked about placing tubular markers along Fleming Avenue at the rear entrance to Marion Elementary School. The markers, which would be a row of upright poles, are intended to discourage motorists from making a left turn into that entrance.
Public Works Director Chris Hollifield said these devices are often used in Europe and are becoming more common in the United States. They are inexpensive and easy to install. The poles can be placed so that they will give if hit by a car or truck. The tubular markers will provide a physical barrier, sort of like an orange cone, so motorists will be less likely to turn left there.
Little said he's seen these devices in Winston-Salem and other cities. He suggested that the Street Committee, which is comprised of Councilmen Everette Clark and Lloyd Cuthbertson, take a closer look at the idea and come back with a final recommendation.
In other business, the City Council agreed to hold a "brainstorming session" on Feb. 25 at City Hall. This meeting will give city officials an opportunity to talk about long-range issues and projects in more depth.
In years past, council would hold retreat meetings at places like Appalachian State University in Boone and Cataloochee in Maggie Valley. However, retreats held out of town can be controversial. Some have questioned the wisdom of holding a retreat and spending public money in another city. These meetings are also inaccessible to the average Marion resident.
Council members said they would like to hold the retreats again in the near future but recognized this year would not be an appropriate time. They said the retreats could be very valuable, especially when outside experts are brought in give city officials a new perspective.
"It's amazing what you can learn from other people who know what's going on around the state," said Clark.