News & Commentary

Dollar General Brings News Jobs To City

Five hundred Marion-area residents have new jobs thanks to the efforts of Mayor Wayne Seybold, county leaders and US Congressman Dan Burton.

From Business Wire, May 10, 2005

Dollar General to Build Distribution Center in Marion, Indiana; Retailer to Invest $70 Million and Employ Approximately 500 Workers

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. -- Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:DG) today announced plans to build a distribution center in Marion, Indiana. It will be the ninth facility in the growing retailer's distribution network. Pending final documentation and all required governmental approvals, the company plans to build a 1.1 million square-foot facility on a 188-acre site on State Route 18, near Interstate 69.

The total cost for the distribution center and transportation shop, including equipment and fixtures, is expected to be approximately $70 million. At full capacity, the Dollar General facility will likely employ about 500 people. Additionally, Dollar General's third-party transportation provider has indicated that it expects to employ approximately 90 people. The company expects to begin site work by the end of the month and to complete construction by the fall of 2006.

"To reinforce our service to customers and to support our company's network of stores, we're expanding the distribution network to include a ninth distribution center," said Lloyd Davis, senior vice president, supply chain operations.

"We are excited about our decision to build in Marion. We are attracted to the quality of Marion's work force and its proximity to our service area. Governor Mitch Daniels and Mayor Wayne Seybold are enthusiastic partners, and we are grateful for their collaboration."

Governor Mitch Daniels joined Davis in making the announcement official.

"This is an important economic win for Marion and Indiana. A lot of people combined to make this happen, but the biggest selling point is the great work force available in Grant County," said Governor Daniels. "This is a great day, but we need dozens more announcements like this all over Indiana before we can begin to celebrate."
Dollar General operates more than 270 stores in Indiana, including 3 stores in the Marion area.

"We are honored that Dollar General decided to 'Make It Marion!' They will have an immediate and positive impact upon the City of Marion and Grant County," said Mayor Seybold. "We could not be more thrilled to have such a good corporate citizen in our city."

Dollar General's other distribution centers are located in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Virginia, Mississippi, Missouri, Florida, Ohio and South Carolina. McCallum Sweeney Consulting of Greenville, S.C., assisted Dollar General in its site selection for the Marion facility.

Signs of Growth: New Ivy Tech Campus Nearly Complete

As part of its recent economic development successes, the city of Marion will see a new Ivy Tech campus soon. Construction has already begun near the intersection of I69 and IN18.

The city of Marion, county leaders and our state representatives teamed up to make this happen.

From the Ivy Tech newsletter:

When Thomson Consumer Electronics left Marion in 2004, the city lost more than 1,000 manufacturing jobs. That news spurred a trio of local developers into action to help improve the city. Real Estate Development, Inc., gifted 23 acres of prime real estate for construction of a new Ivy Tech campus in Marion.

The partners – Henry Olynger, Patricia Edwards and Gary Oradat – couldn’t stand by and watch Marion lose ground. “There was so much negative news (following the Thomson announcement), I thought we should try to help turn things around,” Henry said. “I told Gary, ‘It’s just dirt. We need to get Marion growing again.’”

The gift served to accelerate consideration of a request for planning funds to develop a new Grant County campus and provided the College with a prominent location with interstate visibility. The site quickly attracted additional commercial development at the Indiana 18 and Interstate 69 interchange.

Ground was broken at the site in April 2006, with the campus scheduled to open in early 2008.

“A stronger Ivy Tech is just what we need to help families in Grant County,” Henry said. “I didn’t realize at the time that we were joining a new family, but the Ivy Tech team has just been wonderful to work with

Listening To Marion Citizens

Listening to the concerns of Marion residents is very important to Wayne. In 2003, when he was running for Mayor, he skated every street of Marion speaking face to face with voters. In 2007, he’ll do the same.

But it’s not just during campaign season. By attending numerous neighborhood association meetings, community forums and other events, Wayne has always made sure that he’s hearing from everyone.

That’s because Wayne knows that some of the best ideas come from outside city hall. Local residents understand what Marion needs.

So look for Wayne in your neighborhood this year. He’ll want to hear from you.

Indiana Chamber of Commerce Writes About Marion’s Economic Development Efforts at the Interstate.

It’s no secret that Marion is on the Move. With the new Dollar General and other development at I-69, the city of Marion has caught the eye of the Indiana Chamber.

"The enthusiastic support of the local officials here played a big role in bringing Dollar General to Marion. We have moved 50% of our management staff into [Marion] so that salaries and opportunities given to employees should have a postive impact on not only Marion, but also Grant County." -Ken Counce, Dollar General Marion Distribution Center Manager

Marion Chronicle-Tribune: Empty Factories in Marion soon to be a thing of the past

The Marion Chronicle-Tribune is picking up on the optimism from local economic development officials about Marion’s economy.

"Almost all of our buildings are full now," said Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold. "I think the perception is that we have a lot of abandoned buildings in Marion, and we just don't anymore."

Read the full article at the Chronicle-Tribune's website.

Bringing people together is good for Marion

When Wayne took the helm of city government in Marion, political conflict was standard fare. Elected officials had a difficult time reaching across party lines to do what was right for Marion.

The city needed a leader who would look past politics.

We now have that leader in Wayne Seybold. Wayne is known as a leader who is motivated by only one thing- what is good for the city of Marion (and getting home as much as he can to see his 2 boys).

So whether you are a Republican, Democrat, Independent or Libertarian know that Wayne Seybold is serving your interests in City Hall.