Overheard

Outdoor retailer Bass Pro Shops’ recent $110,000 payment to the city of Broken Arrow, Okla., leaves it owing $178,000 to the Tulsa suburb for 2006, the Associated Press has reported. Based on a lease agreement negotiated in 2004, Bass Pro is under contract to repay Broken Arrow $850,000 a year regardless of sales after the city floated the $24 million construction cost for the 130,000-square-foot Stone Wood Hills store. Months after reaching the deal, Broken Arrow Mayor Richard Carter told Springfield Business Journal, “Essentially, what it will do is pay for itself, and the city will own the building. Bass Pro can stay there from now on. We hope they do. If they move out, we’ll still have a building we can lease to someone else. We think there is really no risk to the city.” Forbes magazine has estimated Bass Pro’s 2004 revenues at $2.05 billion, making it the 144th largest private company in America.

Banta Foods Patriarch Dies

Charles T. Banta, who led Springfield-based Banta Foods Inc. for 27 years, died Feb. 2 at age 86. Banta was a Missouri State University graduate and a naval fighter pilot in World War II. In 1945, he married into the Jezzard family, which owned what was then called W.H. Jezzard & Sons. Banta began working at the company, making his way up to general manager, and in 1962, he bought the business. In 1984, Banta changed its name to Banta Foods. Now under the leadership of Banta’s son, Chuck, the food-service company distributes within a 300-mile radius of Springfield. Banta Foods will be honored as one of Springfield Business Journal’s Dynamic Dozen on March 8; the company has been an honoree twice before for its rapid revenue growth.

Retail Fast

Two national retailers are functioning as residences for several College of the Ozarks students during the 30 Hour Famine fund-raiser and educational event. More than 50 students will live for 30 hours Feb. 23–24 in cardboard shelters outside of the Wal-Mart and K-Mart stores in Branson and Wal-Mart stores in Branson West and Ozark. The students will fast while staying there in an effort to help shed light on world hunger and homelessness. Donations are being accepted at the school and retail sites. The famine is sponsored by World Vision, which aids malnourished children throughout the world. Last year, C of O contributed $4,869 to World Vision’s $11.6 million total. This is C of O’s 15th year to participate. For more information, call (417) 334-6411, ext. 3446.

Slice of Nice

Springfield Public School’s Bailey Alternative School, 501 W. Central St., will host the eighth-annual Empty Bowls Luncheon fund-raiser noon–1 p.m. Feb. 19. A benefit for The Kitchen Inc., Bailey students work with Drury University to create handmade ceramic bowls, which can be purchased for $10 during the event. The bowls are filled with soup and served with a roll. Guests may keep their bowls as a reminder of worldwide hunger. The event was originally scheduled on Martin Luther King Jr. Day but was cancelled due to weather. It is based on King’s idea that “everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” For more information contact SPS’ Linda Jones at (417) 523-2700.