Branson board votes to join county Enhanced Enterprise Zone

The Branson Board of Aldermen last night approved a bill allowing the city to join a planned Enhanced Enterprise Zone that would cover most of Taney County.

The EEZ, which is being coordinated by the Taney County Business Development Partnership, would provide certain economic benefits for investment projects in the county. A seven-member board that much include local school board members and representatives of other taxing districts is to be appointed by the Taney County Commission and would approve the EEZ applications, according to the bill.

City of Branson Director of Economic Development Garrett Anderson said via email that most of the individual communities in Taney County have thrown support behind the plan, and a final map of the EEZ should be ready for a county commission vote by Sept. 26.

Under the EEZ, organizations that add at least two new jobs paying a salary above the county average and make a capital investment of at least $100,000 on real estate would be eligible for local tax abatement of up to 50 percent on improvements to real property for up to 10 years. The abatement would only be available for new investments or additions to existing buildings. Applicants could also be eligible for state tax credits, according to the bill.