Marion Claims National Spotlight as 2025 Strongest Town

​Marion, Ohio, has been named the 2025 “Strongest Town” by Strong Towns, a national nonprofit dedicated to promoting financially resilient and community-focused urban development. This prestigious recognition highlights Marion’s commitment to incremental growth, grassroots initiatives, and sustainable revitalization efforts.

What Is the Strongest Town Contest?

The Strongest Town Contest is an annual competition that celebrates communities across North America demonstrating exceptional progress in building stronger, more resilient towns. The contest evaluates cities based on key principles such as:​

• Incremental Development

• Financial Sustainability

• Community Engagement

• People-Centered Design​

Marion stood out among 16 finalists, including cities from the U.S. and Canada, ultimately securing the top spot through a combination of public voting and expert evaluation.

Key Evaluation Criteria

1. Incremental Development:

   • Communities are recognized for making small, strategic investments that lead to long-term improvements.​

2. Financial Sustainability:

   • Towns that prioritize maintaining existing infrastructure over costly new projects and demonstrate transparent budgeting practices are favored.​Strong Towns

3. Community Engagement:

   • Active participation from residents, local leaders, and organizations in planning and development processes is a crucial factor.​

4. People-Centered Design:

   • Efforts to create walkable, safe, and accessible public spaces that prioritize pedestrians over vehicles are essential.​

5. Housing Flexibility:

   • Adapting zoning laws to allow for diverse housing options, including accessory dwelling units and mixed-use developments, is encouraged.​

6. Transportation Reform:

   • Initiatives that improve public transit, reduce reliance on cars, and enhance street safety are significant considerations.​

7. Parking Reform:

   • Reevaluating and adjusting parking requirements to better utilize land and support local businesses is a key aspect.​

     
     

     

     
     

Marion’s Path to Victory

Marion’s journey to becoming the Strongest Town was marked by several notable initiatives:​

• Flexible Zoning Policies: The city addressed housing challenges by implementing flexible zoning, allowing development on previously deemed "unbuildable" lots.​

• Pedestrian-Friendly Streets: Main Street was reconfigured to prioritize pedestrian traffic, enhancing safety and accessibility.​

• Community-Led Projects: Grassroots efforts, such as the construction of an accessible playground by local parents without taxpayer funding, exemplify Marion's bottom-up approach to development.​

Chuck Marohn, founder of Strong Towns, praised Marion's approach:​

"Marion's comeback story is truly inspiring. They haven't chased after unsustainable mega-projects but have instead focused on making small, incremental investments in their people and places."

Community Involvement

The Marion City/County Regional Planning Commission played a crucial role in nominating the city for the competition. The community rallied behind the nomination, actively participating in online voting rounds and sharing stories of local progress.

James Walker, planning aide for the Marion County Regional Planning Commission, emphasized the collective effort:​

"Our strength comes from every person who's ever teamed with their neighbor, any organization that has ever partnered with its peers, or any official who has ever asked for help from local churches or business leaders."​

Looking Ahead

Marion's recognition as the Strongest Town serves as a testament to the city's resilience and dedication to community-driven development. Celebrations are planned throughout the summer, including special events organized by the mayor's office to commemorate this achievement. ​

This accolade not only honors Marion's past efforts but also sets a foundation for continued growth and community engagement in the years to come.