Photo by Jim Muchlinski Marshall EDA Director Lauren Deutz talks to passengers on the bus during during a tour of businesses and public projects on Friday.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Economic Development Authority showcased a wide range of businesses and public projects Friday as part of a city bus tour.

Residents had an opportunity to join the 90-minute tour at no cost. It was offered at three different times throughout the day.

After boarding the bus in downtown Marshall, the first stop was the proposed site for a new Aquatic Center on West College Drive. Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes told the early afternoon group that Marshall’s current pool at Legion Field is the second oldest community pool in Minnesota. It was built in 1937.

“There’s no question it’s served its time,” Byrnes said. “There are a lot of reasons it needs to be replaced. West College Drive offered the best possible site. We have a large area of land.”

The city plans to purchase the property from the Schwan’s Food Company if voters approve a city sales tax extension on Tuesday. After supporting projects like the Red Baron Arena and the Merit Center, funding would go to pay for aquatic center construction. The city collects about $1.9 million in sales tax annually.

The bus then proceeded down West College Drive. There was discussion of a planned roundabout at the three-way intersection near the Armory, the proposed West Side housing area, and improvements planned for Legion Field.

The next step was the Channel Parkway area. It featured planned additions at the Marshall Airport which include a new hangar building and a proposed multi-family housing area.

Marshall EDA Director Lauren Deutz also pointed to the planned construction of a headquarters for the Southwest Service Cooperative education center. It will move from the Market Street Mall.

The group then toured the city’s 136-acre commerce and industrial area on the northwest edge of the industrial park. Deutz said one of the future projects in that location is likely to be a new armory. A target date for an armory has not been set.

Highlights pointed out during the trip through the north side of the industrial park included Action Manufacturing, Runnings, the regional utilities training center, and the Marshall School District’s technical eduction center.

Deutz said the EDA has reached a goal to have all warehouse space occupied. There were eight vacancies when she first began as EDA Director.

“It’s a nice problem to have,” she said. “We’ve gotten to a point of focusing on new construction. If employers want to come in, we need a place to put them.”

The tour then went to the area near the Archer Daniels Midland corn plant, where participants heard about the city solar farm that’s under construction and a planned carbon free emission manufacturing plant to be operated by Solugen of Houston, Texas. The Solugen project is expected to create 44 jobs.

“We’re excited to work with them,” Deutz said. “They’re passionate about what they do and happy to be coming to Marshall. Our plant will become a model for what might be possible in other towns.”

As the bus approached Minnesota Highway 23, David Sturrock of the city’s transportation coalition said Marshall’s bypass is one of the busiest sections of the entire state road. He said state officials have recognized the need for safety enhancements.

Deutz then updated the group about the goal to put a new hotel and restaurant next to the Red Baron Arena. When the bus passed the Shopko building, she said efforts continue to bring in more tenants. She hopes the building will be full by the end of next year.

“In the economic development world we have a saying that development follows development,” she said. “When something moves in, it creates interest among other potential developers to follow them.”

The tour then featured the Hy-Vee area, Southview Elementary, the Marshall Lyon County Library and the Marshall Area YMCA. It ended with a drive through downtown Marshall.

It was noted that a variety of new businesses are locating in the downtown area, helping to replace several that recently closed.

“One of our advantages is that we don’t have many vacancies in the downtown area,” Deutz said. “That’s a real plus in a town of our size. Business owners see it as a good reason to be located here.”