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.

Tad Douce Impacted by Others
Tad Douce’s ancestors came to Marion in 1815 when his family received a military pension for serving in the War of 1812. Douce still resides on this land. He is the current Director of Educational Technology and Communication at River Valley Local Schools. He attributes his success to the mentors he has had along the […]Read More »
Yellow Finch Expands to Add Event Space with The Nest
After three years of perfecting charcuterie and catering, Leiha Lamb and her fiancé, Chad Mays, are serving up something new. Yellow Finch Creations is now offering a small event rental space called The Nest at 119 W. Huber St. Suite 101. “From weddings to celebrations of life, baby showers to birthday parties, this is a […]Read More »
ReadLocal Author Fair
INAUGURAL READLOCAL AUTHOR FAIR WILL FEATURE LOCAL AND OHIO AUTHORS There are always new and exciting events coming to Marion! One of these events, to be hosted by the Marion Public Library, will be a chance for the community to connect with several authors. The inaugural ReadLocal Author Fair, scheduled for March 25th from 1- […]Read More »
Marion Noon Kiwanis Makes a Difference for Local Children
For more than 60 years, Marion Noon Kiwanis has held its annual Pancake Day, flipping thousands of flapjacks to raise funds for children’s causes. The most recent event served up pancakes for more than 1,000 people. “It is great to see the community come together. From our sponsors to our volunteers to our attendees, it […]Read More »