Mission
The City Development Department provides opportunities and services to residents by aiding in business expansion and retention while recruiting new industries, and working with the community to build overall quality of life to attract new residents.
The City Development Department has the following components which aim to serve the citizens of Marion in the best way possible:
Neighborhood Association Coordination
The City of Marion is fortunate to have a neighborhood association program. Each association covers much of Marion, however, there is still room for new associations to form, and adjustments to be made to the current ones. To start a neighborhood association in your area or learn more about the current one, please contact our Neighborhood Association Coordinator.
The Neighborhood Association Coordinator is the point of contact in City Hall who aims to improve the quality of life in Marion by means of empowering neighbors. This facilitator listens and addresses neighborhood concerns, educates citizens, and finds ways for collaboration to happen. When a particular neighborhood does not have a point of contact, the Coordinator will learn about the neighborhood and search for a point of contact. The Coordinator stays informed of city systems of work, and aims to empower residents to continue to improve their neighborhoods through the governmental systems in place.
Marketing & Community Relations
We focus all efforts on improving overall quality of life and morale in the City of Marion from a marketing and community relations standpoint by working in partnership with respective departments as well as outside groups and individuals, all while marketing and promoting these efforts and the City of Marion as a whole.
The Director of Marketing & Community Relations conducts and manages initiatives toward fulfilling the above mission while serving a prominent role in communications — largely website and social media content development and management.
City Development Leadership
The Director of Development plans and directs the programs and services the department provides for the citizens including policy development, grant programs, data collection, and more. The Director coordinates activities with other agencies, works closely with the public and community organizations, and attends various meetings regarding community development, serving on the Redevelopment Commission and CReED Board.