Akers & Arney vacates downtown

Partner David Arney said the company will share the 15,000-square-foot office space, called Corporate Summit, with Tom Boyce Excavating Inc., Elite Landscaping and Joplin-based Employer Advantage.

Arney said his company had to vacate its downtown Branson office, where it’s been for 54 years, by Nov. 1. The downtown location has been sold to HCW Development Co. LLC, developers of Branson Landing.

The insurance agency, through sister company Akers & Arney Property Management LLC, partnered with Tom Boyce to form A&B Property LLC to build the two-level office building. The architect was Butler Architects of Branson, the general contractor was Joe Williams Construction Co. of Branson and Tom Boyce Excavating provided excavation work. Branson Bank was the lender. The building integrates both cedar and stone on its exterior, and features copper gutters and light fixtures to give it a French country appearance, Arney said.

Akers & Arney Insurance, founded by Elven Akers in 1952, is a full-service agency employing 18 people. Its four partners – Edd Akers, David Arney, John Akers and Tim Huddleston – are Branson-area natives and graduates of Branson High School.