GRANT COUNTY

Enriches Experience

A Century of Iron in Marion

In 1923, a Marion man ran 11 foundries across three states. Atlas Foundry Company is the only one still owned by the founding family and still pouring iron in the county where the enterprise was directed. Drawing on local archives and a conversation with Jim and Bill Gartland, we trace how steady reinvestment, deliberate specialization, and a diversified customer base kept it here, and what that means for manufacturing retention in Grant County.

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Now Entering…: How National Public Television is Helping Tell the Stories Behind Our Economic Momentum

The Now Entering… series from Ball State PBS is giving Upland, Gas City, and Fairmount a powerful national platform—showcasing the people, history, and community character shaping Grant County’s economic momentum. With Marion’s episode now in development, these stories are becoming an essential tool for workforce attraction, investment confidence, and regional identity.

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Business Talk: Why Grant County Entrepreneurs Thrive When We Show Up for Each Other

Business Talk—hosted by the City of Marion and open to all Grant County entrepreneurs—creates a supportive space where local business owners connect, learn, and grow together.

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