Southwest Missouri News

Branson

City tax revenues on increase

The city of Branson's sales tax revenues have increased for the first seven months of the city's fiscal year.

According to a news release from the city of Branson, from October through April, Branson has collected $6,594,375 in revenues from the city's 1.5 percent sales tax. For the same period in fiscal year 2000, the city collected $6,406,764.

Aldermen support development

The Branson Board of Aldermen and the Taney County Commission voted unanimously to support a proposed $300 million development that would be located along the Lake Taneycomo waterfront.

A news release from the city of Branson said the Jacobsen Group, an Australian development team, proposed the project, which includes a 10,000-seat convention center with exhibition halls, a boardwalk, a hotel and retail shops. The Branson Landing development would extend from the city campground north to the end of North Beach Park.

In a separate release, Rick Graf, president of Graf Consulting International said, "We want this waterfront development to be Branson's newest postcard." Graf Consulting International is leading a consortium of five firms involved with the project.

The convention and exhibition center will be financed with industrial development bonds, Graf said.

The expected operating revenues from the convention center and the sales tax returns associated with the development combined will service the convention center debt to bond holders. The bonds will not constitute debt to Branson or Taney County. Gaining city and county support allows the consortium to proceed with bond acquisition and further project planning.

Branson Mayor Lou Schaefer said the waterfront project will be an "energizer" that will boost the regional economy and bring more attention to Branson. He said it meets two of the city of Branson's goals a convention and exhibition center and downtown revitalization. Schaefer said the development will generate more year-round jobs in Branson and increase visitors to the city for conventions and events.

Graf said his group will work with the city and the state to add more streets and widen existing roads if necessary to handle traffic, an issue raised by citizens in public hearings.

"If all goes as planned, we can have the convention and exhibition center open in 2004 and in full operation by 2006," Graf said.

The board also voted to indefinitely postpone the Branson Meadows Convention Center project.

Joplin

Connecting Point now HP center

Connecting Point, a technology reseller in Joplin, has become a Hewlett Packard authorized service center.

The designation is for the Pavilion, Vectra and Kayak lines of Hewlett-Packard computers.

Connecting Point has serviced all Hewlett-Packard printers for 14 years.

Auxiliary donates $39,000

The auxiliary at St. John's Regional Medical Center recently donated $39,000 to the hospital.

The money will be used to support hospital programs and nursing scholarships.

The auxiliary has donated $92,000 to St. John's this fiscal year.

Buttram opens on Fourth St.

Alan Buttram is the broker/owner of Buttram Commercial Real Estate LLC, which recently opened at 2601 E. Fourth Street, Ste. A.

Buttram has been actively engaged in the commercial real estate field since 1976 and relocated to the Joplin area in mid-1993.

He has been the No. 1 commercial real estate agent in the Joplin Area Multiple Listing Service every year since 1994.

Modine predicts upturn

Officials at Modine Manufacturing Co. are predicting an upturn after the first half of the company's fiscal year 2001, which began on April 1.

"Although Modine faced challenges in the last half of fiscal year 2001 due to a slowing economy, we anticipate improved financial performance in the third and fourth fiscal quarters as our markets recover and our cost reduction efforts take full effect," said Donald Johnson, company president and chief executive officer, in a prepared release.

Modine specializes in thermal management, bringing technology to diversified markets. Core markets include powertrain cooling of internal combustion engines; vehicular and building heating, ventilating and air conditioning electronics; and various industrial and refrigeration markets.

LJBD low bidder on projects

A Joplin architectural firm has been selected to assist the McDonald County R-1 School District with several construction projects.

Latimer, Jones, Brannon and Denham were the low bidders on the project, quoting a 5 3/4 percent fee and estimated construction at $65 to $70 a foot.

The district is considering construction of a centralized junior high school near the high school in Anderson, and a new elementary school in Rocky Comfort.

SeaBreeze aces compliance

SeaBreeze Trucking Inc. recently received a satisfactory rating after a compliance review from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The review which examined driver logs, drug and alcohol testing, driver qualification records, maintenance and accidents indicates the company has adequate safety management controls in place.

SeaBreeze operates in 48 states.

Marshfield

City re-opens public pool

The city of Marshfield Department of Parks and Recreation has opened the Marshfield City Pool on Garst Drive for the summer season. The pool's opening was delayed due to extensive internal plumbing repairs, as well as internal and external concrete and fiberglass repairs, according to a release from the city of Marshfield.

The city pool is again affiliated with the National Pool and Waterpark Lifeguard/CPR Training Program, offered through Jeff Ellis & Associates, the National Safety Council and the National Parks and Recreation Associa-tion.

This year's lifeguards, serving under managers Missy Johns and Narissa Plemmons, are Ashley Arnold, Sean W.R. Atkins, David M. Church, Andrea N. Childress, Cody S. Craddock, Kristin Hargus, Dunde Harris, Drew Mohnen, Michael Ragsdale, Casey J. Replogle, Wendy Rogers, Jesse R. Tieskotter, Matthew C. Vitello, Trever K. Waugh and Nathan C. Wilson.

Adult water aerobics classes are offered, and swimming lessons are available through the National Safety Council's "Learn to Swim" program. A swim team for youth ages 8-18 practices weekdays 9 10 a.m.

Marshfield's team will compete against teams from Mansfield, Ava, West Plains, Willow Springs, Lebanon, Cabool, Ozark, Mountain Grove, Mountain Home, St. James, Thayer, Salem, Houston and Mountain View. Becky Tackett is this year's coach.

The pool's hours of operation are noon-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1-7 p.m. Sunday.

Admission ranges from $1.25 for children under 13 to $1.75 for adults 18 and older. The pool also may be reserved by the public for private parties Saturday and Sunday.