The Marion Comprehensive Plan is designed to map out the city’s future, focusing on the community’s needs and desires. It’s a blueprint for growth and development, encouraging involvement from people of all ages, from students to the elderly, to shape what the city will become. This plan is about looking ahead, considering everything from housing and schools to parks and businesses, to make Marion a better place for everyone. Dr. Janelle Brouwer, superintendent, was invited to join the committee. Her skills and leadership are seen as essential to steering the project in a direction that truly benefits the community. 

     The process began in February and will finish in approximately one year. Many wonder what the plan will consider, but the main things taken into account are housing, transportation, parks and recreation, and many other amenities. This is all used to lead future decisions about community development. When having this plan all set, Brouwer said it “makes sure that as a community grows, it continues to meet the needs of residents. Marion has done an exceptional job of envisioning the future… I think the fact that community input is an important aspect driving the plan will help to ensure it ultimately meets the needs now and into the future.” The current plan has been put in place for ten years, and 2024 is the year to start updating it all.

     Hearing from the entire community is key because of the wide range of ages, interests, and goals among its members. Everyone’s opinion is very valued. On further dates, there will be listening sessions for students and members of the community to listen in, polls, and surveys. Many voices are already being heard around the city, and some of the following groups are a part of the comprehensive plan: the City of Marion, City Council Members, the Mayor, the Chamber of Commerce, MEDCO, both school districts, business representatives, and residents on the Planning Committee. RDG, a planning and designing company, s the one looking over it all, as they were hired by the city to create the new comprehensive plan and are the ones responsible for bringing together all the various thoughts. They help take everyone’s desires and opinions into mind. RDG is a diverse company that makes big dreams come true in big and small towns, “live life responsibly and do it well,” and be obligated to everyone around. Not only does this bring the town together by making minds create big thoughts, but it also has the potential to open up jobs to the people in need. When thinking of the projects, bringing them to life is the biggest idea, leading to construction companies and other trade skilled-based businesses in on all of the action.

The city of Marion makes sure that all voices are heard, no matter how young or old a person is, from students of both high schools in the area, to all of the city’s residents. Everyone can be involved in planning their dream town. The plan doesn’t only build new buildings, parks, and other diverse proposals, it brings in people around for existing and future jobs. The Marion Comprehensive Plan makes future generations thrive, makes it a desirable place to live, and as Mayor Nick AbouAssaly often reminds us, it encourages us all to “reach higher.”