Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Chamber, CVB update visitor profile

In its newly released 2001 Marketing Plan, the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau has updated its Branson Visitor Profile.

According to the statistics provided by the chamber, the average visitor's age is 57.1 years, and his or her average income is $52,400. The average party size is three people, the average distance traveled to Branson (one way) is 332 miles and the average length of stay is four nights. Visitors' satisfaction with their stay in Branson has averaged 4.8 on a scale of one to five, with 75 percent of the visitors making a repeat trip to Branson.

Branson visitor composition is 30.5 percent families, 32.8 percent adults and 36.8 percent seniors. Most of the travelers headed to Branson come during the summer, making up 29.2 percent of the total visitors; 19.7 percent come during Christmas; 19.4 percent come during the fall; 17.4 percent come during the spring and 5.1 percent of the visitors come to Branson during the winter season.

By far, most Branson visitors travel by automobile, with auto travelers making up 83.3 percent of the total; 7.2 percent of visitors come by motorcoach; 6.3 percent come by camper or RV; and 3 percent come by air or other means.

Major feeder markets to Branson include Springfield, St. Louis, Kansas City and Joplin; Little Rock and Fort Smith, Ark.; Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Okla.; Wichita, Kan.; Dallas, Texas; Chicago, Ill.; Paducah, Ky.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Des Moines, Iowa; Omaha, Neb.; and Memphis, Tenn.

Small business council seeks input

The Small Business Development Advisory Council of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is soliciting the input of small business owners and employees through two focus group sessions on March 27. Participants can attend one of two sessions at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Branson Masonic Lodge in downtown Branson.

The SBDAC is seeking to learn more about the ongoing needs of small businesses in the Branson area and review the impact the SBDAC has had since it held focus groups in 1997.

City names new parks director

The city of Branson's new parks and recreation director is Cindy Shook, who has been assistant parks and recreation director for the city for the past four years. Employed by the Branson Parks and Recreation Department since 1991, Shook has been the city's acting parks and recreation director since Jan. 1 when former department head Randy Warner retired. She was chosen from among 65 applicants for the position.

Roy Clark returns after two years

After a two-year absence from Branson, country music entertainer Roy Clark is returning for 28 performances at the Osmond Family Theatre in Branson. Beginning April 30 and continuing through selected dates in May, June, September and October, Clark will split the bill on a two-hour morning show with Branson entertainer Doug Gabriel. Gabriel got his start in Branson as a featured performer on Clark's show several years ago.

Joplin

Longtime retailer to shut its doors

A longtime Joplin business soon will shut its doors.

The Jock's Nitch Sporting Goods, Sixth and Range Line, has announced plans to close.

Jock's Nitch which specializes in athletic shoes, clothes and sporting goods has been located in Joplin for 16 years.

The Joplin store is the only one in the Jock's Nitch group that is closing. Six other stores, including those in Pittsburg, Kan., and Miami, Okla., will remain open.

The company cites intense competition for the store's closure.

"It's the way the times are today," said Jim Harnar, store manager, in a published report. "We had a real great run for 16 years, but it's hard to compete with the big box stores. The retail competitiveness right now is overwhelming."

Library opens new computer lab

As the result of two grants, the Joplin Public Library has opened a new computer lab to the public.

The library has relocated its computers to a new area and has added 10 additional workstations for Internet access and word processing.

One of the grants came from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Missouri Secretary of State's Office. IMLS is a federal grant-making agency that fosters leadership, innovation and a lifetime of learning by supporting museums and libraries.

The second grant was awarded by the Lemons Family Charitable Trust, a local fund that provides assistance for worthwhile community projects.

PSC denies Empire rate increase

The Missouri Public Service Commission has denied a request by Empire District Electric Company for an "emergency" rate increase.

In November, Empire had asked state regulators to approve a 19.3 percent rate increase that it said was needed to pay for its Combined Cycle Power Plant near Galena, Kan., and the natural gas that will be burned at the plant.

In February, Empire said it needed to speed up the timetable for the rate increase because of the rising cost of natural gas through the winter. Empire then filed for an interim rate request.

Empire asked the commission to approve a rate increase of 8.18 percent, with most of that taking effect in March to pay for natural gas and the rest to take effect July 1 to cover part of the cost of the plant.

The rate request was not in addition to the proposed 19.3 percent increase, but was part of that request.

The interim rate increase would have raised an additional $16.7 million for Empire. The overall rate increase proposed last fall would generate $41 million for the company.

That would have meant an increase of $10 to $11 a month for the typical user.

In its ruling released March 8, the commission stated: "Empire does not allege that it is not earning a positive return or that its earnings will be negative in the period before the rates are determined. ... Neither does Empire allege any risk that its ability to provide safe and adequate service will be impaired in that period. Finally, Empire does not allege inability to finance its operations."

The PSC is scheduled to hold hearings beginning May 29 in Jefferson City on Empire's general rate request. The hearings will continue through June 8 if necessary.

Neosho

Army commends Sabreliner Corp.

The U.S. Army has commended Sabreliner Corporation's Neosho Premier Turbine facility for its work in repairing and overhauling a grounded fleet of 52 Kiowa Warrior helicopters slated for use in Bosnia.

The fleet of helicopters was grounded in July of 2000 as the result of engine failures due to exposure to sand and dust.