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Columbus, Ohio—Today marks the completion of the Marion Vibrant Community project, a pivotal step forward in the ongoing revitalization of Marion’s downtown area. Coordinated by the Henry Development Group and bolstered by a $167,500 JobsOhio Vibrant Communities grant, this initiative has transformed a 12,460-square-foot building into a center for business and creativity.
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This project in Marion is a perfect example of how communities can preserve history while simultaneously working toward a brighter future,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “By investing in historic downtown districts like this, we are creating jobs, attracting new businesses, and fostering a sense of pride and community spirit.”
The facility, located at 181 East Center Street, now houses Marion County’s first coworking space, Connect Coworx, which occupies 7,100 square feet. It serves as a hub for the Marion area’s professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Additional tenants include central Ohio accounting firm Holbrook & Manter and Dostal & Kirk, an insurance and financial services agency.
“The revitalization of 181 East Center Street in Marion exemplifies our strategy to stimulate economic growth in small and mid-sized towns across the state through the Vibrant Communities Program,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “By converting underutilized spaces into thriving business centers, we’re not only creating jobs but also catalyzing further investment in Ohio communities in need of a boost.”
“Since we started redeveloping our historic downtown, I dreamed of a coworking space—a place to connect, inspire, and equip local dreamers and doers, so those individuals could go on to start and grow local businesses, and in turn, our local economy,” said Luke Henry, Founder and Principal of Henry Development Group. “When I heard about the Vibrant Communities program, I knew we needed to partner with JobsOhio on this project! Even the name, Vibrant Communities, so completely captured my desire and vision for our downtown, and this important piece of its evolution and growth.”
Statewide, the JobsOhio Vibrant Communities program has facilitated 25 projects since 2021, representing a total investment of $109 million, with $18 million contributed by JobsOhio. In 2024 alone, six programs have led to investments totaling $9.8 million, demonstrating JobsOhio’s commitment to revitalizing Ohio’s diverse communities.
“The new development serves as a cornerstone for future growth, bringing new energy and opportunities to our downtown,” Mayor Bill Collins said. “It’s a place where innovation meets community, driving Marion forward.”
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About JobsOhio
JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with seven regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River, Ohio Southeast, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
About One Columbus
As the economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus Region, One Columbus’ mission is to lead a comprehensive regional growth strategy that develops and attracts the world’s most competitive companies, grows a highly adaptive workforce, prepares our communities for the future and inspires corporate, academic and public innovation throughout the Columbus Region. One Columbus expertly guides companies through the location decision process. Through strategic business outreach and customized research, the One Columbus team leverages public, private and institutional partnerships to grow the Columbus Region’s economy and strengthen its national and international competitiveness. Funding is received from more than 300 private organizations, local governments, academic institutions and JobsOhio. Learn more at ColumbusRegion.com.
For Immediate Release
August 15, 2024
One Columbus Media Contact
Jon Keeling
614-657-5917
jk@columbuspartnership.com