See the Work

Marion Job Training Center

Helping to Combat Out-migration, and Enhance Economic Development in a Rural Community

“My work in Marion has been extremely rewarding and empowering. To watch this Job-Training Center become built and see the great impact one can make in rural communities through design and through our work has been a gratifying and professionally satisfying way to work as an architect.”

— Victoria Ballard Bell

The Marion, Alabama project has its roots in a real-life project that acclaimed architect Sambo Mockbee brought into a studio Victoria Bell Ballard attended at the University of Virginia. After graduation, Victoria continued working on the project in the evening for another three years. A Rose Fellowship would allow Victoria to devote full time to the work, which addressed two dire needs in this small Alabama community: job-training and child care.

Marion has one of the highest levels of poverty in the nation with great needs for economic development, prevention of out-migration and housing. Answering the multiple needs required a many pronged approach. Working with host Design Corps of Raleigh, North Carolina, Victoria secured the donation of an acre of land from Perry County, in addition to a combined $1,552,000 in funding from sources including Perry County, HUD, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Black Belt Foundation, and the Affordable Housing Program.

The high point of the project came with the groundbreaking for a new Job-Training Center in August 2006. Funding is in place for the Self-Help Housing Program, where families will develop marketable job skills while building homes designed specifically for them. Funding has also been received for another three years to continue work on the Marion Child Care Center.

Project Summary

Location:
Marion, Alabama
Program Scope
Community service facility
Project Status
On-the-boards (April 2007 anticipated completion)
Location:
Marion, Alabama
Project Scope
1.20 acres gross site area
New construction
3,200 sq ft gross project area
Program Scope
Community service facility
Major Funders
Design Corps
Rose Architectural Fellowship
Affordable Housing Foundation
Black Belt Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Sowing Seeds of Hope
Department of Housing & Human Development
City of Marion
Perry County
Project Status
On-the-boards (April 2007 anticipated completion)

Enterprise Community Partners