Marion, IA – Marion Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) is hosting a press event to kick off the second home set to be renovated after a successful completion and sale of the first Marion Community Build home earlier this summer. The Marion Community Build program is a home rehabilitation program of Community Promise. The effort is a partnership with the City of Marion, Marion Independent School District, Linn-Mar Community School District, and multiple business partners.
In August 2020, Marion Community Build purchased its first single family home located at 330 8th Avenue in Marion. Throughout the 2020-21 school year, students worked each day at the property to rehabilitate and improve the home. It was sold in August. The next home is at 2095 3rd Avenue in Marion.
“We’re ready to start the next renovation project. It will be a new and fun challenge, much different than the home on 8th avenue,” said Dustin Kern, Project Manager for MEDCO.
Community members and the media are invited to attend a press event at 1:30 pm on Thursday, September 23rd at the home at 2095 3rd Avenue, Marion. Street parking is available next to the home. Project leaders will issue brief remarks followed by a tour of the property. Students will also be on site and available for interviews.
“We are excited to infuse new life into this neighborhood and watch a new group of students learn hands on carpentry and life skills,” said Nick Glew, MEDCO President.
Throughout the 2021-22 school year, students from Marion and Linn-Mar will work together with teacher Dennis Fleege to build a new garage, landscape, and learn a variety of valuable construction skills.
The program aligns with Community Promise to invest in deteriorating neighborhoods, equip students with hands on experience in the trades, increase property values, and inspire neighborhoods to reach higher.
More information can be found online: https://www.medcoiowa.org/marioncommunitybuild.
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ABOUT MEDCO: The Marion Economic Development Corporation exists to be economic development thought leaders who drive competitive advantage for Marion.