Marion Glimpses Unique Future

For years, the town of Marion has struggled with its identity.  A small town of 1,500, it is often overshadowed by its bordering city, Meridian (pop. 39,968).  This past Thursday evening, however, Marion citizens gained a glimpse of the future might hold, a future with Marion having its own unique identity.

“That was awesome,” declared Mayor Elvis Hudson, one of 45 people in attendance.

What he heard was a presentation from Mississippi Main Street wrapping up a three-day intensive design-oriented revitalization workshop.  Sponsored by Meridian Community College and the WAEM Regional Initiative, the Main Street charrette team began gathering information from over 40 community leaders and townspeople on Tuesday, November 10.  By Thursday evening, the team had created a presentation featuring rendered drawings of a transformed Marion based on the public’s input and suggestions. 

“That was a magnificent presentation,” said Hudson.  I’m as proud as a new parent.”

"This [charrette] gives the town of Marion a branding and marketing strategy as well as a design strategy.  This presentation shows them, visually, things that they can do in their community and short-term and long-term plans," said Jan Miller, regional director of Mississippi Main Street.

"We'll also have some organizational information on how to take these plans and develop them over the next few years."

Particularly striking was the logo developed by charrette team member Ben Muldrow.  The logo is a multicolored “M” made to look like woven threads in fabric.   “I wanted to combine the themes of the diversity of the town with the idea of a common thread binding them together,” explained Muldrow.

“The logo took my breath away,” Mayor Hudson said excitedly.  “I’m going to have shirts made with that logo as soon as I can.” 

The WAEM Regional Initiative has sponsored similar charrettes in 14 other West Alabama and East Mississippi communities.