• 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 Generous!We Are Presidential!We Are Having Fun!
  • 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

  • Cody Higley Shares Love of Local History

    Cody Higley grew up on Whetstone River Road in eastern Marion County. His grandfather, Robert W. Higley, worked at Marion Power Shovel and nurtured Cody’s love of local history. “My grandfather was very much into history. He would take me up on his knee and tell stories of his childhood. He grew up in Marion […]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 »
  • Scioto Shoe Mart

    GO THE DISTANCE TO SHOP LOCAL. Step inside Scioto Shoe Mart and you’ll find all kinds shoes, of course, from sandals to work boots to prescribed footwear. They also carry 23 brands of wallets, handbags, jackets, jewelry, and shoe accessories, such as soles and inserts. What you may not know is that general manager Shannon […]Read More »
  • Pat Baldinger, Serving The Community For Over 60 Years

    Pat Baldinger has been a 4-H advisor for 60 years. The 4-H milkshake booth at the Marion County Fair was named after her!  Baldinger has personally impacted many 4-H members over the years. She was a 4-H member. Baldinger participated in two different clubs. She then went on to become a 4-H advisor for the […]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