Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Chamber holds election

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB has announced its board of directors for the fiscal year 2001, beginning Oct. 1. Newly elected to the board are Mike Klanchar, general manager of the Palace Inn & Conference Center of Branson, and Stephen Marshall of Chateau on the Lake Resort Hotel, both representing the accommodations category. Also new to the board are Doug Gerard, co-owner and operator of Country Mart grocery stores, and Craig Richards, president of Ozark Mountain Bank, both in the general business category. Jim Langham, owner of Thunder Road, and Dick Gass, with The Lennon Sisters, were re-elected to the board in the attractions category.

Officers for the 2001 board are: Larry Frazier, retired general manager of White River Valley Electric Cooperative, chairman of the board; Jim Langham, chairman elect; Chris Myer, Myer Hotels, treasurer; Tracey Barton, Skaggs Community Health Center, immediate past chairman; Steve Presley, Presleys' Country Jubilee, vice chairman of the Marketing Advisory Council; Patrick Cox, State Park Marina, vice chairman, Community and Economic Development Council; Ann McDowell, Ride the Ducks, vice chairman of the Membership and Funding Advisory Council; and Jeff Justus, L&J Plumbing Supply, vice chairman of Small Business Development.

Other board members are David Arney, Akers and Arney Insurance; Kendall Combs, Gazebo Inn; Dick Hall, Branson Realty Inc.; Camille Howell, College of the Ozarks; Mike Hutcherson, Silver Dollar City; Ron Jett, Dixie Stampede; Mike Palmer, Branson Board of Aldermen; Ryan Richardson, Honeysuckle Inn; Hank Griffin, attorney and ex-officio member; and Randy Fiveash, president and chief executive officer of Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB.

Co-op to hold meeting

The 61st annual members' meeting of White River Valley Electric Cooperative will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at Shadow Rock Park in Forsyth. The cooperative provides electric utility service to parts of: Douglas, Ozark, Taney, Stone and Christian counties. Three cooperative members have been nominated to each serve a three-year term as a cooperative board director upon a vote of approval from the membership. Those nominated are Bob Simmons of Taney County, George Simpson of Christian County and Russell Loftin of Douglas County.

The cooperative has also announced a partnership with Fidelity Networks Inc., an Internet service provider in Sullivan, to provide Internet access to its cooperative members with plans to later bring on nonmembers in its service area. Access is now available to residents within the Branson calling region, with expansion of the service under way in the areas of Ava, Gainesville and Ozark. According to the cooperative, Fidelity will offer unlimited Internet access for $19.95 per month, five e-mail addresses, space for a personal Web page and toll-free technical help.

Carthage

Local company honored

The National Frozen Food Association has awarded its certificate of excellence to Carthage storage company Americold Logistics.

The certificate is given to companies that meet health, sanitation and operational criteria. The American Institute of Baking conducts the inspections.

Diamond

New school under way

A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held for a new high school in Diamond, which will house approximately 250 students, grades nine through 12.

The architectural firm of Sam A. Winn and Associates of Springfield designed the facility. Excavation and earthwork are now being done by Snyder Construction of Joplin.

Completion of the new building is expected by Christmas 2001. Plans call for a 68,000-square-foot high school with 16 instructional classrooms, two science lab-and-lecture classrooms, music and art classrooms, a food-court-style commons, gymnasium and administrative suite.

A $5 million bond issue voters passed in April is funding the project.

Greenfield

Grant goes to Dade County

A $30,000 grant from the Department of Economic Development's Rural Economic Assistance Program will allow Dade County officials to hire an economic developer.

The grant money will be available Jan. 1, 2001.

Under REAP, the state provides technical assistance and money for hiring the developer. Cities and villages in Dade County have committed matching funds of cash or in-kind services,

The Rural Economic Development Council bases its selection for these grants on need, commitment and capacity for development.

REAP was created in 1989 to help start businesses and create jobs. A 13-member advisory board will oversee the project.