A Historic Marion Landmark Opens a New Chapter for Entrepreneurs

On July 10, community members, business leaders, partners, and supporters gathered in downtown Marion to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the expanded EThOs @ The Citadel spaces. The event marked more than the completion of a renovation; it celebrated the transformation of a 1914 downtown landmark into a vibrant hub for entrepreneurship, collaboration, training, and small business growth.

The program opened with remarks from Toni Perkins, past chair of the Marion Chamber, who reflected on the energy and vision behind downtown Marion’s ongoing revitalization. She noted the care, imagination, and commitment being invested by business owners and community leaders to preserve the city’s history while creating new opportunities for the future.

Mayor Michael Absher shared his gratitude for the many people and organizations who helped make the project possible, including the Watermark Auto Group Foundation, local partners, board members, contractors, architects, engineers, tenants, and community supporters. He also spoke personally about his long connection to the building, describing The Citadel as a place rooted in Marion’s history and filled with potential for generations to come.

Built in 1914, The Citadel has served many purposes over the decades, from bank to hotel to office space. Today, it has been reimagined as the home of EThOs, a small business incubator, coworking space, and training and development community designed to support entrepreneurs, nonprofits, professionals, and growing businesses.

Russell Williams, founding and executive director of EThOs, shared the vision that has guided the project from its earliest days: creating a space where entrepreneurs can learn, connect, collaborate, and grow. He thanked the many instructors, tenants, volunteers, family members, contractors, and community partners who contributed time, patience, talent, and encouragement throughout the six-year journey.

Guests were invited to tour the newly expanded spaces, enjoy music and food, and experience the restored historic features of the building. The celebration culminated in an official ribbon cutting, symbolizing both the preservation of a beloved downtown landmark and the opening of new doors for Marion’s entrepreneurial future.

With expanded coworking areas, private offices, meeting spaces, training opportunities, and room for collaboration, EThOs @ The Citadel stands as a powerful example of what can happen when a community invests in both its history and its future.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/1_3RtPzHFVI