Staff writer
Economic development in Marion County has been trending upward since the recession of the late 2000s, officials say.
“I think we’re through the darkest days,” county developer Teresa Huffman said.
Huffman said she was excited for a new Ace Hardware store that opened in mid-May in Marion, and she is working to help expansion of the Wik, a livestock insect control group based in Ramona, and a new lawn and garden enterprise in Burns.
She also said she has a new business looking at purchasing a building in Marion, but would not allude to what it was or where it would be.
“It’s a more positive business community,” Huffman said.
However, Huffman said, right now she is working more on the tourism end of her job.
Despite it being two years away, she already is preparing for the 150-year Chisholm Trail celebration. She said the celebration would attract commerce from other states such as Oklahoma and Texas.
She said she is working to get Marion County included on the Chisholm Trail visitor guide, since the trail ran through Goessel, Durham, and Tampa near present-day K-15.
Huffman also is working on a barn quilt trail in the county.
“I’m busy spinning a lot of plates in the air at the same time,” she said.