City of Marion, Illinois

?? PHOTO CONTEST! ????Progressive Rail operates the Crab Orchard & Egyptian Railroad out of the Depot and adjacent buildings at 514 N. Market Street in The City of Marion Illinois. Rail line info at https://lnkd.in/gZVHfjav Contact John Wiehn <[email protected]>; or Edward Bridges <[email protected] for local permissions

3rd Annual Southern Illinois Soil Health Symposium ?? Glaciers End, 104 N Print Ave, in the City of Marion, Illinois ?? Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 5:30-8 pm Join us to learn about soil and water health, focusing on Composting and Agroforestry. The event features Amy Bartucci from the Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition and MJ Oviatt from Savanna Institute. Connect with others passionate about building soil health in Southern Illinois! **Register here:** https://lnkd.in/g_bKVdJt The Southern Illinois Farming Alliance (SIFA) is part of Food Works, a non-profit promoting a sustainable food economy. For more information about Food Works' programs, visit www.fwsoil.org. Food Works is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to fostering healthy soils, food, and communities in Southern Illinois. (www.fwsoil.org)

Entrepreneurship drives our nation forward, and we’re proud to celebrate the innovators making it happen during #NatlEshipWeek, February 15-22, 2025! ?? Entrepreneurs are the backbone of local economies, creating jobs and building futures. Let’s support and uplift them this week and beyond! ????

Big Thanks to Marion CUSD # 2 specifically Lester James of the Career and Technical Education (CT&E) | Building and Trades, for believing in our vision. Beginning this Monday, Marion High School students will gain valuable hands-on skills by building not one, but two homes, side-by-side. Once complete, these homes will be sold at a very favorable price as single-family primary residence housing. In order to court businesses, we must draw a workforce. To secure the workforce, we must solve all supporting legs of the stool: housing, childcare, and transit. Your ideas and collaboration are crucial to the success of The City of Marion Illinois. If you have ideas, please reach out #OasisOfOpportunity #MarionIllinois #SmallTownCool #CoolSmallTowns #RuralIsCool #IdeaFriendly #BuildingPossibility #EconDev #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityDevelopment #SouthernIllinoisNow https://lnkd.in/ga6JM98D

What an incredible year it has been in Marion! As we reflect on 2024, we are filled with gratitude and pride for the community spirit, hard work, and forward thinking that defines our beloved city. Here’s a look back at just some of the highlights that made this year so memorable: Recognized Community Organizations: We celebrated the remarkable contributions of numerous organizations that have been making a difference in our community Welcomed New Businesses: Marion continues to grow with the addition of many new businesses and expansion of others, enriching our local economy and bringing fresh opportunities Student Achievements: Our students shone brightly, excelling in academics, athletics, and the arts, making us all proud Eventful Gatherings: We hosted a multitude of events, shows, and programs at The Pavilion Events, Marion Cultural and Civic Center, Market Street Hall , providing entertainment and learning opportunities for all City Hall Tours: We welcomed numerous groups to City Hall for tours and Q&A sessions. Spectacular Solar Eclipse: We experienced our second total solar eclipse in five years, sharing the awe-inspiring event with neighbors and global visitors, and donated thousands of protective eyewear to school kids worldwide Veteran's Honor Flights: A heartfelt heroes' welcome was given to Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois' 12 & 13 at Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois - MWA Downtown Renovation: We completed a mostly grant-funded renovation project downtown, revitalizing our city center Miss Illinois Scholarship Competition: Proudly hosted the Miss Illinois Scholarship competition for the 14th consecutive year Baseball Tournaments: Welcomed over 42 baseball teams to Marion, 12 of those were international teams, to play in exciting tournaments against other teams from the area and across the nation, fostering sportsmanship and cultural exchange. Westminster Bridge Opening: Officially opened Westminster Bridge in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation and elected leaders Enriching Programming: Marion Carnegie Library, The HUB Recreation Center, Boyton Street Community Center, and Marion Senior Citizens Center all brought great programming to our city for every member of the family to enjoy Cultural Exchanges: Welcomed members from our Sister City, Kanie Town, Japan, for our 14th enriching year of cultural exchange Veterans Honored: Honored veterans during the annual Veterans on Parade and the inaugural Freedom Sings event Very Merry Marion: Ended the year in a spectacular Very Merry Marion fashion, celebrating the holiday season with warmth and joy A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff and the incredible community for your unwavering support and participation. You make Marion a wonderful place to call home. We eagerly anticipate even more exciting adventures and achievements in 2025! Stay tuned for what’s next, Marion!

The Illinois EPA will open the next EV Rebate Program funding round on January 21, 2025. The funding round will run through April 30, 2025. Illinois residents that purchase a qualifying new or used all-electric passenger vehicle ($4,000) or all-electric motorcycle ($1,500) from an Illinois licensed dealer are eligible for the rebate. Applicants that certify as low income are given priority in disbursement of the rebates. The application and instructions are now available on the Illinois EPA Electric Vehicle Rebate website. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED OR REVIEWED IF MAILED/POSTMARKED PRIOR TO JANUARY 21, 2025. EV rebates are subject to the availability of funds for each cycle. The Illinois General Assembly has appropriated $14 million to Illinois EPA for the current fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2025. Actual funding amounts will be determined by the amount of money available in the Electric Vehicle Rebate Fund, not to exceed $14 million. Due to substantial interest in the program, Illinois EPA anticipates the available funds being depleted in advance of the close of the application window on April 30, 2025, and we encourage interested purchasers to submit applications as soon as possible to increase your chances of receiving a rebate. Applicants must apply during the open rebate cycle window and within 90 days of the vehicle purchase date. Eligibility requirements for an EV rebate in Illinois are set forth in the Illinois EPA's regulations at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 275. These requirements include, but are not limited to: ? The purchaser must reside in Illinois at time of vehicle purchase and at the time the rebate is issued. ? An applicant may not previously have received an Electric Vehicle Rebate. ? The vehicle must be purchased from a dealer located in Illinois and licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State. ? Rented or leased vehicles do not qualify for the rebate. ? Vehicles purchased from an out-of-state dealership, and vehicles delivered to or received by the purchaser out-of-state are not eligible for a rebate. ? The purchaser must apply for the rebate within 90-days after the vehicle purchase date. ? The purchaser must retain ownership of the vehicle for a minimum of 12 consecutive months immediately after the vehicle purchase date. ? The rebate amount cannot exceed the purchase price of the vehicle. Sign up for our email listserv https://lnkd.in/gYgpnn7M receive notifications. https://lnkd.in/gu_tFFDt

National Endowment for the Arts FY 2026 Grant Opportunities Now Available Nonprofit organizations can now apply for NEA funding in the categories of Challenge America and Grants for Arts Projects for projects taking place beginning in 2026. These grants support projects taking place in any part of the nation’s 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. jurisdictions. The NEA is committed to supporting arts projects for the benefit of all Americans. Applications from both first-time and returning applicants are welcomed. Eligible applicants include nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) U.S. organizations, units of state or local government, and federally recognized tribal communities or tribes. Applicants may be arts organizations, local arts agencies, arts service organizations, local education agencies (school districts), and other organizations that can help advance the NEA’s goals. Application deadlines: Grants for Arts Projects (February 13 and July 10, 2025), Challenge America (April 24, 2025) https://lnkd.in/g_ZwM3FM

Great job Lavish Bath Box - Marion Square & Bits & Pieces Art and Antiques! Thank you WSIL-TV News 3 for reminding folks to Shop Southern Illinois! Shop our local retailers and visit the Very Merry Market - 3rd Annual! https://lnkd.in/eS2w65RQ #OasisOfOpportunity #MarionIllinois #SmallTownCool #CoolSmallTowns #RuralIsCool #IdeaFriendly #BuildingPossibility #EconDev #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityDevelopment #SouthernIllinoisNow

Nearly one-third of small business owners are investigating how to use AI tools. Join? #GrowWithGoogle on December 17 for a free webinar to learn how AI-powered tools by Google can help small businesses be more efficient, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth. → https://lnkd.in/gmBUF6NU #OasisOfOpportunity #MarionIllinois #SmallTownCool #CoolSmallTowns #RuralIsCool #IdeaFriendly #BuildingPossibility #EconDev #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityDevelopment #SouthernIllinoisNow #GrowWithGoogle

BENTON, Ill.?– Criminal organizations are manipulating older Americans into turning over their life savings to foreign conspirators, and U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe is warning southern Illinois residents on the prevalence of imposter scams. “Unfortunately, we’re aware of several instances where seniors in southern Illinois have been victimized by imposter scams, most recently in Williamson County,” said U.S. Attorney Crowe. “The Marion Police Department did extensive investigative work in the case, and we’re pleased to have them as a partner to gain justice for the victims.” To report elder fraud, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline by dialing 1-833-372-8311. https://lnkd.in/gfmchJBc