Economic Development


Marion offers a welcoming environment for businesses of varying scales, accommodating small, locally-owned retail establishments, expansive multi-thousand square-foot warehouses or manufacturing ventures, and everything in between. Beth Wilson, the Economic Development Director, is ready to collaborate with you on behalf of the City of Marion to facilitate the establishment of your presence in the area. Feel free to contact her at 870.739.6041 or via email at beth.wilson@marionarkansas.org.

Continue reading to discover why Marion is the ideal location for your business.

trade area

News for Retail Recruitment

We are excited to participate in the 2024 Retail Academy program through Retail Strategies! This partnership will help us with retail recruitment and community development. 2025 is going to be a great year for Marion.

STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE:
UNMATCHED ACCESSIBILITY


Marion enjoys a favorable placement, strategically positioned to efficiently cater to the entire United States. Boasting convenient access to rail, river, road, and air routes, we provide diverse transportation alternatives to ensure prompt delivery of your goods.

Situated mere minutes from the Memphis International Airport and with straightforward access to I-55 and I-40, we provide the advantages of proximity to Memphis without the everyday challenges of a bustling metropolis.


MARKET REGION


Marion is strategically positioned to serve a population exceeding 1,000,000 in its trade area. Beyond the local residents, there is a significant number of regional consumers located within a 60-minute drive of Marion. Additionally, Marion boasts a daily traffic count exceeding 100,000.

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Demographics and cost of living

DEMOGRAPHIC SNAPSHOT

Population - 13,563
Median Income - $81,391
Median Age - 36
Average Home Price - $200,368
Current Unemployment Rate - 3.9%

COST OF LIVING

According to the Sperling's Best Places website, Marion's overall cost of living places 24.1% under the national average and 8.3% over the AR state average. The breakdown by item as compared to the national average is as follows: Grocery -95.8%, Healthcare - 92.1%, Housing - 56.8%, Utilities - $94.3%, Transportation - 92.6%, and Miscellaneous - 75.7%. The median home cost for Marion is $201,200.

Additional demographic information is available through AR Site Selection, or contact our office at 870.739.6041 to obtain information.

WORKFORCE

A crucial element for the prosperity of any community lies in its skilled workforce. Marion is privileged to host a substantial labor pool and excellent training opportunities, providing a diverse pool of potential employees for your selection. Situated just five minutes away from Arkansas State University Mid-South in West Memphis, and within a 60-minute reach of ASU in Jonesboro, Marion also offers proximity to various higher education options in Memphis.

Arkansas State University Mid-South provides a range of technical programs, including aviation maintenance, auto/diesel maintenance, commercial driving training, mechatronics, welding technology, machining, emergency technician, nursing assistant, health studies, phlebotomy, business, and teaching. As a progressive institution, it has a proven track record in developing training programs tailored to the needs of existing or new industries, and we are ready to assist you in coordinating with them for your specific requirements.

As part of the Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), Marion and its surrounding region boast excellent educational and specialized training resources, contributing to lower unemployment rates and improved quality of life for our residents.

Crittenden County achieved the ACT Work Ready Communities (WRC) certification in May 2019. This certification equips states, regions, and counties with the data, processes, and tools necessary for economic growth. By leveraging the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate, participants in WRC are effectively measuring and addressing the skills gap, establishing common frameworks that connect, align, and match their workforce development initiatives.

ideal location

workforce info

Entergy Site Selectors

Marion : The Ideal Location

SITES
In addition to the two industrial sites listed with AR Site Selection, we maintain a database of available local commercial properties for sale or rent. Contact Economic Development Director Beth Wilson at 870.739.6041 or email beth.wilson@marionarkansas.org for more information.​

To view our Site Selection property listings, please click on the links below to be directed to the appropriate Site Selection web page.

Jackson Property
Rieves-Wallace Property
F. Wallace Property