Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Branson ranked as top travel spot

The National Tour Association has announced that in a survey of 631 NTA tour operators, Branson was tied with New York City as the number one destination in 1999.

Rounding out the top five destinations were Washington, D.C., New England and Orlando. The survey indicated that 56 percent of the operators' passengers were seniors, age 65 or older, followed by future seniors, ages 54 to 64, at 18 percent.

Chamber head appointed to state position

According to the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, its president and CEO, Randy Fiveash, has been elected president of the Missouri Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (MACVB) for 2000-2001. His term began July 1.

The MACVB develops cooperative marketing, promotion and educational programs and provides resources and a support network for its destination marketing organization members.

Habitat For Humanity taking applications

The Mountain Country Habitat for Humanity will hold its summer family application sessions at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., July 29, at the Branson United Methodist Church on W. Hwy. 76 in Branson. In addition to meeting income guidelines, eligible families must have lived in Taney or Stone county for the past two years, have the ability to make monthly house payments, live in substandard or overcrowded conditions and participate in building their home and other Habitat homes. Mountain Country can be contacted at 335-2015 for more information.

Hospitality course now being offered

A summer session of Branson Hospitality Training 2000 will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., Aug. 15 at the Lodge of the Ozarks in Branson. The class, sponsored by Branson Hospitality, Inc., of Branson, is part of an ongoing series that trains employees who work with tourists on a daily basis. For more information, contact 335-3554.

Carthage

Leggett & Platt posts reduced earnings

Leggett & Platt Inc., managers are expecting lower second-quarter earnings than analysts had earlier predicted.

In a prepared statement, Leggett & Platt said second-quarter earnings should be about 5 percent higher than those of the same quarter a year ago. That translates into 10 percent less than analysts were earlier predicting.

Leggett & Platt managers said supplier disruptions in its commercial fixtures and display lines, and reduced demand and inefficiencies at several plants are responsible for the lower earnings. The company's annual earnings are now set at $1.51 to $1.60 per diluted share.

Joplin

TV station wins award for telethon spot

The Muscular Dystrophy Association has singled out KODE-TV for its Programming on educating the public about the disease.

The Joplin station received the "Best In Category" award in the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon special event feature slot for a piece called "14th Annual Ride For Life." It was produced by Darren Dishman.

Monett

New industrial park to boost local airport

Hoping to capitalize on a strong industrial base and an active aviation environment, Monett city officials recently broke ground for an industrial park on the city's airport grounds.

The Industrial Development Authority in Monett anticipates this new business park will attract a new and specialized industry to Monett. The idea is to take advantage of the growing aviation operations at the Monett airport. However, the city's new industrial park will be aimed at more than just aviation businesses. City officials believe one of the main drawing points to general industry is expected to be airport access.

The airport has a 5,000-foot runway that is already frequently used by Monett industries such as Jack Henry & Associates.

Site sizes begin at one acre and are available directly on the tarmac. Both lease and sale of property will be considered. An estimated 60 to 180 acres of developmental potential is currently available at the airport.

The development of the Monett airport began in the late 1980s with the increased demand for an aviation center to serve local companies such as Jack Henry & Associates and EFCO, a Monett-based manufacturer of aluminum windows, exterior walls, store fronts and door entrances.

During the past decade, the city, the Missouri Department of Transportation, Jack Henry, EFCO and other private companies have or will be investing an estimated $16 million in hangars and airplanes.