Business developments on hold
Marion Economic Development Inc.’s quests to attract a hardware store and a variety store to town are both in a holding pattern.
After a deal to bring a Family Dollar store to town to fill the void left by Duckwall’s closure fell through, the trail has gone cold on the variety store front, Todd Heitschmidt said.
There hasn’t been any active movement for a hardware store, either, although Heitschmidt said three interested parties have contacted him about the possibility of opening a store in town.
City Administrator Doug Kjellin has reviewed eight applications for the city economic development director position. He said he wanted more applications and wasn’t sure whether a wider advertising campaign or a higher salary would do more good in getting more applications.
As of Tuesday, the Cardie Oil service building was completely out of the city’s hands. Kjellin said it was an example of a lease-purchase working the way it should.