Manufacturing plant coming
Staff writer
Marion will be getting a retail and manufacturing business located in the city's business park in the near future.
The new business, owned by Marion area residents David and Laura Yates, will be a marble manufacturing facility. The business will include both a retail area and a manufacturing portion.
Marion City Commission members approved the sale Monday of two lots and 80-feet of another lot in the city's business park for $5,000.
"Plus a basic incentive package we've negotiated with the owners," said Marion Economic Development Director Susan Cooper.
The new business, Mid-America Marble Co., will produce custom-made counter tops, vanity tops, and other marble products that can be used in the building industry. The product has many applications, David Yates said, and has been used in banks, churches, and other public buildings, as well as in homes.
"This will be an exciting addition to our business community," Cooper said. "Back when we designed these lots (at business park) they were made for combination retail and manufacturing businesses."
David Yates said his business will be able to customize products for each individual situation and will be able to provide the products basically within in a 48-hour time period. The primary customer base will be contractors, but it also will serve the needs of individual homeowners wanting customized products.
"If you wanted a table like this in torquoise," Yates said, gesturing to the city commission's meeting table. "We'd be able to make it for you. It's all custom made so we can match any color. Basically, our goal is to make a good quality product in a timely manner."
The new business will use a process known as "Tiffany Marble." Cooper said there is no Tiffany Marble plant in this portion of the state.
David Yates said the marble making process involves using fiberglass molds poured out of epoxy and uses a chemical reaction process rather than heat.
"Eighty percent of the product is crushed limestone," Yates said.
The new business will be located northwest of the current Seacat Hardware. The city approved the sale of lots 35, 36, and the north 80-feet of lot 13. Yates plans to build a 2,132 square foot metal building which includes 268 feet of office and showroom space, along with the manufacturing area.
"People will be able to drive down Industrial Road to the building," Cooper said.
The initial business building will be constructed on lots 35 and 36. The portion of lot 13 will provide area for expansion in the future, as well as parking and other access areas.
City Administrator David Mayfield said there were no utilities in the proposed construction area.
"It makes sense to include the 80-feet in lot 13 so he won't have a neighbor up right against him sometime in the future," Mayfield said.
Cooper said the business will be a "cash and carry" endeavor, so room will be necessary for trucks to manuever.
While David Yates will handle the manufacturing end of the new business, his wife Laura will serve as business manager. The Yates reside at Marion County Lake. David Yates is an employee of Boeing in Wichita, while Laura Yates owns The Hair Company in Marion.
Initially, the Yates will be the only employees, although that number may expand, Cooper said.
"The couple are members of the Marion business community," Cooper said. "This type of product will be unique to Marion. These are the types of businesses we are looking for: Local, homegrown ideas and business plans."
David Yates said his building was already ordered and he hoped groundwork would begin Tuesday. No specific time was given for the opening of the new business, although Cooper said David Yates wanted it to open as soon as possible.
