Walt Bagwell named Marion's Main Street Champion
Marion City Council holds regular meeting on Tuesday
"Walt Bagwell is the kind of volunteer every Main Street director dreams of," reads his nomination for Main Street Champion.
During Tuesday's regular meeting, the Marion City Council recognized downtown business owner and community leader Walt Bagwell (center left) as the 2025 Main Street Champion. Marion Business Association Executive Director Freddie Killough (right of Bagwell) introduced Bagwell to the council.
J.W. Kelley, president of McDowell Technical Community College, speaks to the Marion City Council.
During Tuesday's regular meeting, the Marion City Council recognized downtown business owner Walt Bagwell as the 2025 Main Street Champion.
The recognition of Bagwell took place during the meeting held at the Marion Community Building.
Marion Business Association Executive Director Freddie Killough introduced Bagwell to the council. Bagwell was selected by the Marion Business Association. He and Killough attended a statewide ceremony to honor other Main Street Champions in New Bern.
For many years, he has owned and operated the Marion office of Jeff Kincaid Insurance Group.
"Walt Bagwell is the kind of volunteer every Main Street director dreams of," reads his nomination for Main Street Champion. "A dedicated and passionate supporter of Marion's downtown, Walt embodies the spirit of community service through his tireless contributions and leadership."
Bagwell serves on the Marion Business Association's board of directors and is a past president. He plays a key role on the Economic Vitality Committee and is a consistent volunteer at festivals and events throughout the year, according to Killough.
In addition to his work with the business association, Walt serves on the Marion Board of Adjustment. In this role, he helps guide responsible growth for both downtown and the greater community, always keeping the long-term vision in mind. "His thoughtfulness, especially when tough decisions arise, ensures that Marion's future remains bright," reads the nomination.
He is also an active member and past president of the Rotary Club of Marion and is one of the leaders of the club's annual auction.
"Having owned and operated his own business in Marion for over 25 years, Walt brings invaluable experience, energy, and a deep-rooted love for his community," reads the nomination. "He gives freely of his time, talents, and resources to help Marion thrive, and he does so with a consistently positive attitude and a great sense of humor.
"It is always a delight to work with Walt. His contributions make a meaningful difference in the success of Marion's Main Street program and the vitality of our downtown."
"I am very humbled and honored to be represented by my favorite small town in America," Bagwell said.
Crystal Ledbetter, the current president of the business association, gave the quarterly report of Marion's business activity from January to March 2026.
During that three-month period, Marion got three new businesses: Factory 29, Yoshi Sushi and Main Season Market & Brewery.
During that same time, two businesses closed. Those were Marion Wines and the Marion Wing Factory. Marion Wines is expected to reopen under new ownership on May 1. The Wing Factory was replaced with Factory 29.
From January to March, the MBA held four ribbon-cutting ceremonies. They were for Smoke A 'Lil Smoke, Factory 29, the reopening of Pizza Hut and Compassion Care Services. Marion Cigar has expanded into an adjoining space at 327 Logan St. Six façade grant applications were received by the business association. The Spring Craft Crawl had 36 vendors but had a low attendance due to the windy conditions, according to Ledbetter's report.
Council hears from presidents of MTCC and MTA
In other business, the Marion City Council heard the State of the College presentation from J.W. Kelley, president of McDowell Technical Community College.
Kelley made this same presentation at Monday's meeting of the Old Fort Board of Aldermen and will also present it to the McDowell County commissioners in May. Kelley said this is the first time he or any other MTCC president has given this annual presentation about the status and the future of the local community college.
The Marion City Council also heard the report from Steve Pierce with the McDowell Trails Association. Earlier this month, Pierce gave this same presentation to the McDowell County Board of Commissioners about the park at the Universal Center.
Pierce spoke with county and city officials about a proposal to improve the park area behind the Universal Advanced Manufacturing Center building. The park on county-owned property has a small trail system, two ponds and a disc golf course. There have been some preliminary discussions of enhancing the park as well as adding some parking spaces.
Pierce said the vision for the Universal Park is a family-friendly trail around the two ponds, a perimeter trail, mountain bike trails, upgrades to the disc golf course, access for fishing from the ponds, a picnic shelter and an amphitheater.
After hearing from him, the county commissioners agreed to set aside Universal Park for outdoor recreation and approved the vision and plans for the park. The commissioners agreed to partner with the MTA and the Universal Park stakeholders for the development of the park. The city of Marion is one of those stakeholders.
After hearing the presentation, the Marion City Council did not take similar action but seemed to be in support of the idea.
Later in the meeting, the council members heard a report from City Manager Woody Ayers. He talked about the possibility of imposing voluntary water restrictions on customers if Marion doesn't get rain in the future.
