Overheard

John Joslyn, the man responsible for bringing the Titanic museum to Branson, caught the attention of the Belfast Telegraph, a newspaper in Northern Ireland. Joslyn was interviewed for a news feature story about his passion for the historic ship and why he chose Branson to create a $15 million replica. Joslyn has told Springield Business Journal that he fell in love with the ship while filming a documentary in the mid-1980s and chose Branson for its central location and to tap into the 7-million-deep tourist market.

Joslyn told the Belfast Telegraph that 400,000 people have visited the museum since it opened in March, exceeding projections by 30 percent. He said, “I have spoken to visitors from China, India, Hawaii and Florida, even from Belfast,” Northern Ireland’s capital, where Titanic was built before sinking in the Atlantic Ocean in 1912. One party visited Branson from Korea just to see the ship, he said.

Three for Manufacturing

Jarden Plastic Solutions, Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co. and Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems are in the running for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2006 Manufacturer of the Year award. Each finalist will be recognized during a noon luncheon Dec. 13 at the University Plaza Hotel.

Each nominee is evaluated on business stability and growth; employee development; product development and sustainability; environmental, health and safety performance; and community involvement. A panel of judges visits the finalists’ facilities to experience the manufacturing process firsthand.

The last three honorees are Edmonds Dental Prosthetics, Megavolt and 3M. According to the chamber, the manufacturing sector employs 27,000 people locally.

Have Your Say

The city of Springfield is seeking public input through an online survey on plans for undeveloped areas of Jordan Valley. The city and the Jordan Valley Advisory Committee will use the input to determine funding and resources for the development of the Quarry at National Avenue and East Trafficway, the East Meadows area north of Jordan Valley Park and the West Meadows area west of Main Avenue to Fort Avenue.

The survey is available at the city’s Web site, www.springfieldmogov.org.

Citizen support of Jordan Valley redevelopment so far has created about $150 million in public and private investment, according to the city. Those investments include Jordan Valley Ice Park, Hammons Field, Springfield Exposition Center, Jordan Valley Park and the Jordan Creek Greenway Trail.