Downtown Marion Inc.

Recognizing Our Past & Redefining Our Future

Downtown Marion, Inc. is a 501 c3 nonprofit organization in good standing. We are driven by the understanding that all strong cities must create and support vibrant downtowns. Our 22-member volunteer board is comprised of business persons, civic-minded citizens, and dedicated political figures. We support all developers, businesses, and civic organizations equally and fairly.
Over half of our financial support comes from businesses and individuals within our community. Contributions to Downtown Marion, Inc. are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Downtown Marion Dollars

Give the experience of Downtown Marion’s unique restaurants, shops, entertainment and more to friends, family, employees, and clients in one simple digital Community Gift Card.

Participating in this program means supporting the heart of what makes our community unique. The purchase of a Downtown Marion Dollars Community Card creates a pool of cash that local businesses in Downtown Marion can rely on. Studies have shown that local independent retailers recirculate 47% of their revenue back into the community, while only 14% of national chains’ revenue stays in the community. More dramatically, restaurants recirculate 73% of their revenue back into the community, versus only 30% for national chains.

By supporting local businesses, more money continues circulating through the local community—this is achieved through a combination of profits paid to local business owners, wages paid to local workers, goods and services procured locally for internal use or resale, and charitable giving within the community. If you’re looking for a way to do some good or want to know how you can help the community you love, send a Downtown Marion Dollars Community Card! For more information or to participate as a merchant in the program, Downtown Marion Manager, Allen Wilson by emailing manager@downtownmarion.com

Taste of Downtown Marion!

Downtown Marion Inc, is excited to announce the return of the rebranded “A Taste of Marion" event. “A Taste of Downtown Marion,” a restaurant, bar, and establishment crawl through Historic Downtown Marion will showcase some of the best local cuisines Marion offers.

With your ticket purchase you will receive 10 tastings, this will allow you to choose which establishments you wish to visit, all offering something different. We will be asking day of participants to judge participating locations the day of the event.

Locations will be participating the following winning titles:

~ Downtown Marion's Best Savory

~ Downtown Marion's Best Sweet

~ Downtown Marion's Most Creative

Get your tickets today by following the link below or by scanning our QR Code! Limited Amount of tickets Available, First Come First Serve!


Why invest in Downtown Marion Inc? 

All strong and vital communities possess strong and vital downtowns…without exception!

● 42 new retail stores, restaurants, public education entities, and professional services businesses since 2018

●      Over 350 new full and part-time positions responsible for over $11 million in wages and salaries since 2018 

Downtown Marion has become the cultural hub of our community

●      2000-3000 of all ages at each Third Thursday event

● Weekly farmer’s markets

● Monster March Trick or Treat serves over 2000 children each year

● Loft Tours

● Annual 5k race

● 3000 attend the new nighttime Christmas Parade

● 1500 at the annual Tree Lighting

● All participating churches report large crowds for the annual Holiday Church Tours

● 400 children visit Santa at his house in Founders Park and each receives a present

● Two Saturdays of Secret Shopper for children during the Christmas season

● Highly successful Taste of Marion promotes downtown restaurants

● 108 downtown buildings are now named to the National Register of Historic Places as of 2022…aggressively protecting our history!

 Keeping local dollars within our community

● Downtown merchants have enjoyed great staying power in the past five years

● Over 40 buildings have changed ownership in the past five years

● Downtown real estate has tripled in value over the past decade

● Downtown merchants report a dramatic increase in out-of-town customers

Downtown Marion, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 organization in good standing. Your investment in DMI will be governed and managed by a 22-member volunteer board of directors comprised of civic leaders, city and county elected officials, downtown merchants, and professional community development strategists. Donations to Downtown Marion, Inc. are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Downtown Marion Sponsors

Looking for more info?

Fill out the form below, or Contact Us if you have any questions on how to get involved with Downtown Marion, Inc.