• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

MarionMade

People, Places, Products, Programs

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram
We Are Presidential!We Are Having Fun!We Are Generous!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Competing in Strongest Town Competition

By Wendy Weichenthal on March 12, 2025

decorative graphic with logo

The Marion Community is going head-to-head with 15 other North American cities in the 10th Annual Strongest Town Contest.

Marion has advanced to the Sweet-Sixteen this week and needs everyone in Marion, in Ohio, and around the country to cast their vote for us! In this bracket-style voting tournament, Marion will compete for the “Strongest Town” title by shining a national spotlight on the work it’s doing to become a stronger, more resilient city.

Cast your vote for Marion this week and every week at strongesttown.com.

Voting is open Monday through Thursday at 1 p.m. EST

Progress, Not Perfection

The Strongest Town Contest celebrates progress, not perfection. A “strong town” is any town, big or small, that is taking tangible steps to overcome its transportation, housing, or financial challenges. Strong Towns refers to this methodology as the “Strong Towns Approach,” and this contest spotlights the work of city residents and leaders who are using this approach to become more resilient over time.

Strongest Town Voting

Here’s how voting works. Competitors advance over five, weekly rounds. Anyone can vote once per week, and votes are tallied Monday through Thursday at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Winners are notified each Friday.

In the first, risk-free round, Marion competed with three other cities for an honorary title to recognize its efforts toward “Rightsizing Parking Policy.”

All cities advanced to Round 2, when bracket-style eliminations will begin and winners will advance based on the number of votes collected that week. 

Brackets

* Round 1: Meet Your Contestants (March 3-6).
* Round 2: Sweet Sixteen (March 10-13)
* Round 3: Elite Eight (March 17-20).
* Round 4: Final Four (March 24-27).
* Round 5: Championship (March 31-April 3).

Show the world how strong we are.

We Are Strong. We Are MarionMade! #MarionStrong #StrongestTown #OhioVersusTheWorld

How did Marion get nominated?

James Walker from the Marion County Regional Planning Commission nominated Marion. Read more here: Strongest Town Contest

What is Strong Towns?

Strong Towns is a 501c(3) non-profit and media advocacy organization that shifts conversations around the North American development pattern. Through reports, articles, podcasts, videos, live events and professional coaching, it provides knowledge and tools to help cities transform their communities. Learn more at strongesttown.com.

MarionMade! is a program of Marion Technical College. 

 

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • Survivor Supports Others Escaping Abuse with Turning Point Fundraisers

    When Melissa Jolliff wanted to escape an abusive relationship five years ago, she turned to Turning Point. “I never had to stay at the shelter, but the people there were very helpful. They guided me, provided resources and helped me get to the next chapter,” Melissa said.  POUND: Steps to Healing A friend’s invitation to […]Read More »
  • Sims Brothers

    RECYCLING…FAMILY-STYLE Sims Brothers, Inc. started with nothing but a wagon and a dream. During the 1920’s, two elementary school-aged brothers, out of economic necessity, started collecting scrap metals and waste paper throughout the city of Marion, Ohio. Using a small hand-pulled wagon, Carl and Donald Sims sold the materials to a local scrap processor. From […]Read More »
  • Family Business Expands With Belenos Creations

    The Malone family knows hard work. “Entrepreneurs are the only people who will work 80 hours a week to avoid working 9 to 5,” says Ana Griffith-Malone with a smile. Entrepreneurship  Ana started Busy B Cleaning in 2018, a premium cleaning service for commercial and industrial clients. Her oldest daughter, Breana Malone, is the operations […]Read More »
  • Gamers Find Fun at Curiosity

    A last-minute decision to attend a gaming convention in Columbus in 2015 changed one Marion couple’s lives and their business plan. “We walked into the Columbus Convention Center and we saw people playing games everywhere. We said, ‘Marion doesn’t have that!” said Jessica Deyarmond. The couple, who owned an antique store at 141 S. Main […]Read More »

Share Your MarionMade! Story

Click Here to share your story about MarionMade! people, places, products, and programs!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Marion Love INC Marion Public Library Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Marion CANDO! Marion Community Foundation United Way of Marion County Marion Technical College

© 2026 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image