The accolades for the City of Marion continue to roll in.
In the fall, Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly was named the Iowa mayor of the year among cities with a population of more than 2,000, according to a news release from the City of Marion.
Then on Jan. 23, Marion was named Community of the Year by Community Playmaker, a media platform focused on American communities and civic leaders.
“Marion is a great example of what can happen when a community, both its leaders and citizens, cast a vision for a tremendous quality of life for everyone,” said Ashley Whittaker, editor-in-chief of Community Playmaker, in a news release. “And the power is not just in the vision, it’s also in the determination Marion leaders showed driving these projects through to completion.”
This recognition doesn’t just happen. Marion has demonstrated strong leadership and community pride, especially since Mr. AbouAssaly became mayor in 2015. He is currently serving his third term as mayor.
Marion is the 13th largest city in Iowa with 41,864 residents, and is bound to move up the list as it continues to grow rapidly. Marion beat out nearly 100 other communities that entered the contest, according to a news report.
Entries came from towns ranging from about 1,000 residents to some of the country’s largest cities. The Community of the Year award is a “celebration of cities and the visionary leaders that spark progress.”
Congratulations to Marion for being a shining example of excellence and community-mindedness in the Corridor and beyond.
Travel is important to Iowa
Iowa isn’t often thought of as a tourist destination, but tourism is extremely important to the state.
Just think of University of Iowa sports or RAGBRAI or Prospect Meadows.
Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the state, according to the Iowa Travel Industry Partners. A report on the economic impact of tourism on Iowa revealed that visitors in 2022 in Iowa generated $10.4 billion in revenue, supported over 68,000 jobs, and generated labor income of $2.4 billion throughout the state.
In Iowa, these dollars in turn generated more than $1.1 billion in state and local tax revenue. Each household in Iowa would need to be taxed an additional $847 to replace the visitor-generated taxes received by state and local governments.
“Tourism is not just about destinations — it’s about economic empowerment, job creation, and community growth,” said Chelsea Lerud, executive director of Iowa Travel Industry Partners, in a release.
“Iowa’s travel and hospitality industry plays a pivotal role in our state’s prosperity,” she added. “The $10.4 billion in revenue generated by 2022 travelers underscores the significance of tourism to Iowa’s economy.”
We appreciate the reminder.
