Initiative

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 12 February 2013 11:50

We applaud the initiative taken by the Marion City Council, PRIDE Committee and an informal alliance of local business leaders to pursue a $1 million beautification project for the downtown business district. It took a team effort to do the research, coordinate support and ultimately take a courageous step forward.

Local leaders won’t know until this spring if the city’s application for a $776,217 grant through KDOT’s Transportation Enhancement program will be approved. If it is, the city will provide $316,504 to complete the package.

It will take more than a beautification grant to ignite a prosperous downtown. But the teamwork needed to bring the idea this far may be the biggest indicator of a prosperous future. —DR