Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Home-based business covered

Those wanting to learn more about starting or expanding a home-based business are invited to attend "Business Building a Firm Foundation Home-Based" 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at White River Valley Electric Cooperative's headquarters in Branson.

The seminar is cosponsored by the cooperative and Taney County University Outreach & Extension. For more information about the workshop, contact Taney County University Outreach & Extension at 417-546-2371. A registration fee of $20 covers workshop materials, lunch and refreshments.

Mayor hypes city's achievements

According Branson Mayor Lou Schaefer, the city of Branson considers initial plans for a local convention center and a major transportation study as two of its major accomplishments for the year 2000.

Last fall, the Branson Board of Aldermen and the Taney County Commission approved a 40-acre site in Branson Meadows as the location to build a convention and exposition center.

The two government entities are now creating a convention center commission to facilitate contracts relating to the design, construction, operation and marketing of a convention center.

Also last year, the city conducted a nine-month transportation study that identified nine key intersections where additional turn lanes are needed to eliminate traffic congestion. The city will begin early this year with improvements, starting at Roark Valley Road between Gretna Road and Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.

Other accomplishments cited by the city:

The city began negotiations to contract with a Hawaiian firm allowing the company to build and operate a monorail system along West Highway 76.

The city added the subdivisions of Blue Meadows, Taneycomo Acres and Country Bluff Estates to the city's sewer system, taking 114 homes off septic tanks.

The Branson Recycle Center acquired three balers for cardboard, plastic, newspaper and aluminum cans. The bales were then sold to recycling companies, recouping a small portion of the cost of the city's recycling operation.

A second city walking trail 1.6 miles long and a picnic area opened at the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area. The city also completed construction of a modern shower and restroom facility at the city campground and upgraded another section with new sewer and water lines, 50 amp electrical outlets for larger RVs and cable TV hookups.

The overall city crime rate dropped 10 percent.

The city and county developed an Urban Services Agreement for the Bee Creek and Emory Creek Basin that provides for planned growth to prevent urban sprawl.

The city's health department was certified by DNR to perform water testing.

The city developed a nationally recognized disaster preparedness plan.

Hollister

AARP provides free tax assistance

Beginning Feb. 6, local members of the American Association of Retired Persons will provide free tax preparation assistance 9 a.m.-noon at the Hollister Town Hall. Other dates for tax assistance will be Feb. 13, 20 and 27, March 6, 13, 20 and 27 and April 3 and 10.

Those needing help are reminded to bring all required statement and forms with them.

Chamber searching for volunteers

The Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers to help in its Visitors Center according to Tina Solari, chamber administrator. Solari said scheduling is flexible at the center which is open 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Historic Railroad Depot in downtown Hollister.

Those interested can contact the chamber office at 334-3050.

Joplin

Aegis Communications expands

Aegis Communications, which is located in the former Sears store in the Joplin Plaza, has added 5,000 square feet to its original 30,000-square-foot space and installed 100 new work stations. The physical expansion was the first step for substantial employment growth by the company in 2001.

The Irving, Texas, based company opened its Joplin location in January 1998. Currently the company has a staff of 750 and the new expansion will bring the number of employees to more than 900.

Aegis Communications provides customer service for financial and communications companies. Its clients include American Express and U.S. West.

"We have been very successful in Joplin because of the work ethic of the people in this area," Bruce Ives, vice president/general manager of Aegis, said in a prepared release.