New developer seeks a plan
Staff writer
Marion’s new economic development director, Megan Jones, wants to develop a business plan for the city to follow.
Jones, hired two weeks ago at an annual salary of $55,000, thinks her experience of working and owning Bill and Essie’s BBQ with her husband, Daryl, for a little more than one year will help in her new position.
“I am assessing and planning,” she said. “I don’t want to jump off the diving board without knowing how deep the water is.”
For any business, especially newer ones, there are bumps in the road.
“There needs to be someone to work through those challenges,” she said.
Randy Collett, former economic development director worked with her restaurant to get through roadblocks, and she wants to do the same for other businesses.
“I would like to put together a plan and path,” Jones said. “This means we would like to improve, and how do we get there.”
She also wants is to support businesses already here.
“Recognition can go a very long way,” she said. “It means a lot.”
But the city, she said needs more than businesses to thrive.
“Obviously, there is a need for housing, and we need to keep all of the historical buildings in good shape,” she said.
When Jones talked about enticing business to come to Marion, she was asked where they could locate.
“We have a few vacant store fronts on Main St., and there is undeveloped land,” she said.
While Marion is a small town, she pointed out that Marion County Lake and other recreational opportunities result in tourism with tax dollars coming to the city.
Jones will use social media to get the word out about Marion.
“Social media is a tool when used the right way,” she said.
Jones was 5 years old when her family moved to Marion.
After graduating from Southwestern College in Winfield with a degree in technical theater, she moved away before returning in 2022 with her family to be closer to her parents.
She previously worked at a costume shop in Omaha for five years before moving back to Kansas to work at Furniture Mall Outlet, where she stayed for 14 years. She moved back to Marion and opened the restaurant.
Jones has been involved in face paintings at festivals, directs high school plays and children’s theater in the summer.
She and her husband have two daughters, ages 9 and 11.