Information about the Marion County Development Commission (MCDC) in Marion County, Iowa.

The mission of the Marion County Development Commission (MCDC), a department of county government, is to enhance the quality of life and standard of living in Marion County through uniting local communities, businesses and nonprofit groups, and; promoting Marion County as a quality destination to live, work and visit.

Programs administered by the MCDC include: Leadership Red Rock, FastTrac, MyEntreNet, Red Rock Area Cooperative Sportshow Marketing Program, Best of Marion County, Business assistance, tourism promotion/advertising and many others.

The MCDC is a partner in the Red Rock Area Cooperative Travel Guide. In addition, the MCDC provides technical assistance to nonprofit organizations and business development projects within Marion County. This agency also represents Marion County at the Central Iowa Tourism Region, Professional Developers of Iowa, Travel Federation of Iowa, Iowa Group Travel Association and Opportunity2 regional business marketing partnership.

Opportunity Assessment of Red Rock Area Workship

Roger Brooks, President of Destination Development International, will be performing an Opportunity Assessment of the Red Rock Area in June and providing a workship in regard to his findings and suggestions. Click on the link below for the Registration Form and Flyer.

Opportunity Assessment Registration Form and Flyer

Ads for the Red Rock Area (Marion County) Guide are sold only by Sarah Francis and Carla Eysink. For more information contact carla@redrockarea.com

The Marion County Development Commission Announces a New and Improved Red Rock Area Tourism Website.

RED ROCK AREA WEBSITE

Request a Red Rock Area Travel Guide

During its early history, the MCDC assisted in several projects including the Guest Housing Brochure, Volksweg Trail, TrailFest, 2015 County Meeting, Cordova Park Cabins and Trash Bash. In 1996 with the assistance of a $37,000 grant from the Iowa Department of Economic Development, the MCDC hired their first Executive Director. With the addition of full-time staff, the MCDC became the administrator of the Leadership Red Rock program.

The Marion County Coal Mining History video was created in 1997 while the MCDC started publication of a travel guide in 1998. In 1999, the MCDC initiated a process to create a 20-year Marion County Recreation Plan. During the spring of 2000, the MCDC launched the www.redrockarea.com or www.marioncountyiowa.com Internet sites.

The Iowa Tourism Office and Travel Federation of Iowa have recognized Marion County for the following awards:

• 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003 & 2005 Iowa Tourism County of the Year
• 1998, 2002 & 2004 Top Consumer Brochure (population 20,000 and up)
• 2000 & 2004 Hospitality Award

In addition, during 2002 the Professional Developers of Iowa awarded the MCDC the top honors for Internal Communications and Brochure.

The Marion County Development Commission is a department of county government whose 11 commissioners are appointed for 3-year terms on a rotating basis by the Marion County Board of Supervisors. The Marion County Development Commission meetings are generally held the 2nd Friday of each month at 7:15 a.m. at various locations around the county.

Members of the Marion County Development office belong to the following organizations (an asterick indicates the organization may employ a registered lobbyist):