Smoke shop receives grant from city
A business that opened less than a month ago was awarded a grant from the City of Marion.
City economic development director Jami Williams provided information to Marion City Council Monday regarding an application from Jamie Eickleberry, owner of Up in Smoke, a retail tobacco shop, located at 162 W. Main, Marion.
Williams said the request was for inventory for the new business. The three-member grant committee passed the request 2-1. Since there was a split decision, Williams said, the committee recommended the approval of a $2,500 grant now and $2,500 at a later date. Eickleberry already has invested $10,000, said Williams, in current store inventory.
In other economic development news:
— New signs at three city entrances were approved.
The signs will be three feet by two feet on 14-foot posts.
Williams said every community has a "hook" or slogan to draw attention. She said she wanted the city to continue with "The Town Between Two Lakes" slogan because it was identifiable but she also recommended the city become known at the "Rhino Capital of Kansas."
The council also approved the rhinoceros signs to be placed below the welcome signs.
Total cost for the three, two-sided welcome signs, rhinoceros signs, and posts will be $700.
— The council requested more information regarding proposed storage units at Marion Business Park before lowering the price of one of the lots.
Williams said two of the lots at the park are not "salable" for retail businesses because of location and size but were feasible for storage units. Originally, a prospective developer requested one lot to construct an enclosed storage unit building, 40-feet-by-70-feet.
Now the developer wants to construct an open end 32x89-foot storage unit for large recreation vehicles.
Mayor Martin Tice suggested a site plan be presented to the council before any decisions are considered.
— Williams was appointed as the contact person for the county's microloan program. Previously, Megan Kilgore of Hillsboro was the contact but has since resigned her position.
Council members expressed their concern about it taking Williams away from her city duties. Williams said she was not aware of much activity with the loan program.
The program began with $90,000 being available for small business loans with a maximum of $15,000. Currently, the original grant money has been loaned through nine loans and $23,143 in funds are available.
— A house at 301 N. Walnut will be auctioned Saturday and Williams asked the city council for permission to bid on it for the city. She said it was an ideal location for an apartment complex.
The council recommended private enterprise purchase and remove the structure.
