Strategic Economic Development Corporation presented a third-quarter report on Nov. 5 detailing business retention and expansion efforts in Marion County, including support for manufacturers and food processors, a large Norpak project (~$52 million), potential data center pre-applications, Project Barber Pole (a proposed waste-to-energy effort) and

At its regular meeting, the Marion County Commission authorized applying for a $250,000 ADECA law‑enforcement grant to buy a virtual‑reality crisis‑intervention training system, approved an Oak Island opioid‑litigation settlement, and authorized purchase of a $96,000 open‑canopy hangar for the county airport.