Facts & Highlights HOSPITAL/HEALTH CARE: The McDowell Hospital, 65 beds, tel. 828-659-5000. Emergency Medical Services (EMS); Rescue Squad; McDowell County Health Dept.; Foothills Mental Health Center. LIBRARY: Main Branch - corner of Logan & W. Court streets, downtown Marion; tel. 828-652-3858. Old Fort Branch - Catawba Ave; tel. 828-668-7111. Mobile unit serving outlying areas. MANUFACTURING: 34 major industries, inc. pharmaceuticals, precision metals, furniture, textiles, lumber, and boats. Total manufacturing employment is approx. 40% of labor force. MEDIA: Newspapers: McDowell News, Mon.-Fri. Tel. 652-3313/Fax 652-4769; News Bulletin, Wed. Tel. 668-4783/Fax 668-4722; Regional: News stand sales of Asheville Citizen-Times, published seven days/week. Radio: WBRM - 1250 AM. Tel. 652-9500/Fax 652-9700; WMXF-104.3 FM. Tel. 828-659-9693/Fax 659-9693 (call first); Regional: Numerous stations, including two public radio/NPR. Television: Major networks and cable channels. RECREATION: McDowell Co. YMCA. Tel. 652-9622. Opened March 2003. County parks & recreation dept. (tel. 652-3001) provides three ball fields, two swimming pools, two basketball courts, five tennis courts and several youth/adult leagues. Private recreation includes three water slides/swimming pools, four ball fields, putt-putt golf, bowling and batting cages. Lake James activities include swimming, skiing, boat ramps, canoeing. STATE PARKS: Lake James State Park: Tel. 652-5047. Exit 90 from I-40. 585 acres, 18 primitive campsites, each with picnic table, tentpad, and grill. Water and bathhouse nearby. Public beach, boat ramps & dock, hiking, seasonal canoe rental. Mount Mitchell State Park: Tel. 675-4611. Milepost 355.6 from Blue Ridge Pkwy. 1,469 acres, 11 primitive campsites, hiking trails, observation tower, museum, restaurant. Highest peak in eastern U.S. (6,684 ft.). TRANSPORTATION: Freight - Two rail lines (Norfolk-Southern, CSX Rail); 25 motor freight carriers. Taxi - Two companies in Marion. Air - Shiflet Field, 3600' lighted grass runway; commercial air flights at Asheville and Hickory (both within 1 hr.) and Charlotte (within 2 hrs.) Major routes: I-40 east-west; US 221 south-north; NC 226 south-north; US 70 east-west. District N.C. Dept. of Transportation office: Tel. 828-652-3344.