Marion Competing in Strongest Town Competition

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.

River Rock Rehab
HELPING TO CARE FOR MARION’S HEALTH. River Rock Rehabilitation has been serving this community since 1985 as an out-patient physical therapy clinic accepting referrals from Marion physicians, as well as the surrounding area. Started by Bill Reinbolt and Timothy Burkam, they recently merged with Blue Sky Therapy in Canfield (Ohio) to strengthen the team and […]Read More »
Major Gruber deeply rooted in Marion
Since kindergarten, B.J. Gruber knew he wanted to be a police officer or a baseball player. After he was not picked up by any professional teams, his choice was clear. Following graduation from Marion Harding High School in 1993, Gruber briefly started college until he got a call from the Marion City Police Department (MPD) […]Read More »
Designer, Artist, Marion Native Mike Diehl
“I’ve always loved art and music, and am fortunate to have had a career in which I could combine both interests, as a graphic designer working primarily for the music business — and also for arts and entertainment clients more broadly.” – Mike Diehl Mike Diehl is not hesitant to speak fondly of his upbringing […]Read More »
Sarah Murphy- Up and Coming Jewelry Artist
Sarah Murphy may not be going into the family business – Murphy Industries of Marion, who has been in business for over 40 years, but she uses some of their discarded materials in her work. Her work is jewelry design and making, with some of her stunning pieces recently being published in several issues of […]Read More »