Above, Taco Bell/KFC franchise owners Hal and Hyon Washburn held a ribbon-cutting Nov. 14 to celebrate the opening of their location on Highway 60. The restaurant created 45 full-time and part-time jobs, making it Forsyth's largest new employer since August. Below, the $1.6 million Branson Bank branch opened Sept. 9 at 15514 U.S. Highway 160. The bank relocated its Forsyth office after operating out of a temporary facility since December 2006.

Branson/Tri-Lakes News: Development splashes in quiet Forsyth

Carol S. Harris

Posted online November 25, 2007 | 11:00 pm

Usually regarded as the quiet backyard neighbor to Branson, the community of Forsyth is

beginning to experience its own growing pains.

Since August, four new businesses have opened and one existing business has remodeled, creating more than 60 full-time and part-time jobs in the Taney County seat.

“We’re really proud of what Forsyth has done,” said Chris Robertson, supervisor for the city of nearly 1,700 people. “I feel Forsyth is experiencing positive growth. I was born and raised here. It seemed to have stayed the same for years and years.”

New businesses include:

• Taco Bell/KFC, the largest new employer, created 45 full-time and part-time jobs. Owners Hal and Hyon Washburn held a Nov. 14 ribbon-cutting for the franchise, located on U.S. Highway 160.

• Branson Bank moved Sept. 9 into a $1.6 million facility at 15514 U.S. Highway 160. Terry Duggan, branch vice president, said employees worked out of a temporary facility since December 2006. Duggan said the six employees are from Forsyth or eastern Taney County.

• K&K Lube opened Aug. 20 at 194 Coy Blvd. The business, owned by Ruby and Harlan Kizer, and grandson, Jenzen Kizer, employs five. The 1,900-square-foot quick lube offers oil changes, lubrication, fluid and tire checks, and vacuum services.

• Yummy Donuts opened Oct. 1 at 13821 U.S. Highway 160 by owners Joe and Etty Rofe.

• Forsyth Nursing and Rehab Center, 477 Coy Blvd., remodeled its facility, opening a new wing Aug. 1. According to Candy Schumacher, the wing’s unit coordinator, the center replaced 16 beds and other room equipment. Since the renovation, the nursing center hired three additional nurses.

Robertson attributed part of Forsyth’s growth to development spreading outside of Branson, and housing costs may be a driver. According to www.city-data.com, the 2005 median value of a house/condo in Forsyth was $108,800, while in Branson, the median value was $150,300.

“We wrote four or five new residential permits this month,” Robertson said. “There’s someone in my office all the time looking for something.”

Many inquiries come from developers looking for land to build speculative homes, he said.

The lack of land for development inside the city limits has been a challenge for the community, Robertson added. Last April, voters approved annexing a 78-acre section known as the Oremus property. The city plans to build a couple of ball fields and a sports complex there, just south of Forsyth on state Highway 76 near Bull Shoals Lake.

The city also wants to spruce up the downtown area to better blend in with the $27.2 million Taney County Judicial Center scheduled to open next summer on Main Street. “As the judicial center is open, it’s going to be a gemstone in the area,” Robertson said. “I hope (the construction of the judicial center) will get the downtown revitalized.” Robertson said the city is seeking revitalization grant funding through a grant writer that the city aldermen approved in August.[[In-content Ad]]