Explore the City of Marion

A Wonderful Place

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Support During The COVID-19 Crisis

Local businesses are being proactive in providing a safe and clean business environment.  For everyone’s health, the Marion Business Association encourages sick employees and sick customers to stay at home to get better.  Follow sensible and safe hygiene practices; this is a time for caution not panic.  We realize that things are uncertain right now, and our small businesses are feeling it, too. But our businesses are strong and resilient and they will forge ahead with optimism.  That being said, here are ways you can help:

• Purchase Gift Cards for Later Use – save them for your own enjoyment or share them with friends and family.
• Call for Curb Service – Small business want and need your business and most are glad to deliver your purchases to your car.  
• Order Your Food to Go if you don’t feel comfortable dining out. Local restaurants are happy help get you fed even if it’s not at their physical location. View our take out and delivery map here.
• Provide Financial Assistance to Help Feed McDowell County Students – There are many inquiries about ways to financially assist with offers to help feed McDowell County students. If you want to help offset the associated costs you can do so by making a cash donation at the register of participating restaurants. If you’re so moved know our community is grateful for your generosity.
• Be Patient – We are all in this together.  Marion is a caring community proven by the outpouring of care and efforts to provides meals for children and others in need.
 
Your small business community needs, wants, and counts on your support. Thank you for remembering us!
 

Check out our small business resource page for COVID-19 related financial information

During this stage of reopening businesses in light of COVID -19, please check out the Marion Open Doors Checklist

Marion North Carolina, where main street meets the mountains

A Main Street Community

Marion is a North Carolina Main Street Community, designated by the NC Department of Commerce and Main Street and Rural Planning Center. Marion Business Association, Inc. is charged with administering the program at the local level and building a public-private partnership to spur economic development in partnership with the state agency.

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A Recognized Leader

As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, Marion Business Association is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.

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Explore OUR World

The Marion Business Association, Inc. was founded in 1984 to promote the needs and interests of businesses in the downtown community. 

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A Sense Of Community

The Marion Business Association (MBA) provides citizens with a sense of community by coordinating full calendar of events such as the Liver Mush Festival, Fourth of July Celebration, and Mountain Glory Festival.  (See Calendar of Events) The popular Sidewalk Yard Sales are organized in May and August each year.  The MBA provides technical assistance to a variety of organizations that now host Downtown Events, including the Carolina Donut Festival and Marion Cruise-Ins.

 

Since 2007, Marion Business Association has coordinated the Historic Marion Tailgate Market.  In 2009, all with community contributions, the City of Marion built a 5,000 sf shade shelter to house the Market.  The Marion Tailgate Market Shelter now host various community events such as Car Shows, Fall Festival and the Summer Concert Series.