Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Construction values increase

The city of Branson reported that new construction estimated values in Branson for January through April had increased $9 million compared to the first four months of 1999. Construction estimated values for the year 2000 through April were $22.2 million.

The city also reported that its first sponsored electronics recycling drive, held April 17 through May 4 for area residents, resulted in the collection of 72 television sets, 11 stereo units, six radios, 23 VCRs, 40 computer monitors, 30 computer keyboards, five complete computer units in the original boxes, 16 disk drives and miscellaneous electronic testing equipment and computer accessories.

All of the recycled electronics were trucked to The Surplus Exchange in Kansas City.

The Exchange is a not-for-profit organization that paid the transportation costs and accepted the electronics at no cost. Most of the electronics will be repaired or salvaged for a 70 percent recovery rate and then sold to the public at discounted prices.

Resort to go in next to Presley's

Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club announced May 15 an agreement with the Presley family of Presley's Country Jubilee for the development of a vacation ownership resort. The proposed 400-unit resort will be located adjacent to Presley's Country Jubilee on W. Hwy. 76 in Branson.

The resort will consist of two-bedroom, two-bathroom units and will be built in phases beginning with phase one construction planned for this summer. The units will have about 1,100 square feet of living space for the active vacationer. Resort amenities will include Horizons Harbour and Barefoot Bay, providing indoor and outdoor swimming experiences; Compass Kids Clubhouse, a program offering customized activities for kids; The Car Pool, an on-site car wash facility and Function Junction, an outdoor pavilion for picnics and concerts. According to Gary Presley, president of Presley's Country Jubilee, sales for Horizons will begin this fall with occupancy proposed for the fall of 2001.

Parton to benefit local children

Entertainer Dolly Parton announced May 18 at the Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show in Branson that her Dollywood Foundation Imagination Library was expanding to Taney and Stone counties. The two southwest Missouri counties will be among the recipients of a $7 million charitable donation made by Dixie Stampede to Parton's foundation.

The Imagination Library began in Parton's native Sevier County, Tenn., in 1995. The Dollywood Foundation program in Branson is one of the organization's first of the nationwide expansion. The Imagination Library, a completely free program, provides a new book every month from the day a child is born until the youngster reaches age 5.

The program is open to all pre-school children of Taney and Stone counties, including newborns, whose parent completes an official registration form and returns it to Dixie Stampede. Parents can obtain forms through the local Parents As Teachers organizations, the county health departments and area pediatricians.

Parton said, during the news conference, that reading and literacy had personal importance to her. "I grew up in a very poor family. A lot of my neighbors didn't go to school," she said. "My dad was never able to read and write."

Joplin

Thunderbird Motel sign is saved

A Joplin landmark that served as a beacon for motorists for more than 40 years has been saved from the wrecking ball. Tim Darch purchased the huge green and blue neon Thunderbird Motel sign, which stood at 2121 Range Line since 1958.

Darch, who owns East Newton Auto in Neosho, bought the sign from a Kansas City developer who purchased the motel as part of a plan to make room for a Home Depot home center. It's unknown what Darch plans to do with sign

Demolition of the Thunderbird Motel began on May 15.

McDonald County

Group to plan for area's growth

The McDonald County Economic Development Committee has been formed to plan for the county's future growth. The group is comprised of elected officials and city leaders from towns in the county, which has experienced rapid growth in the last 10 years,

Committee officers are Gene Hall, president; Roger Gildehaus, vice president; and Robert Brumback, secretary.

Ideas the group is considering include holding a county-wide clean-up, manning an information and tourist booth and creating a business profile.

Monett

Jack Henry to expand

Jack Henry & Associates Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Symitar Systems Inc. in a $44 million, all-cash deal.

Symitar provides 237 credit unions throughout the United States with software and services. Jack Henry & Associates currently has 90 credit union customers. Symitar's product offerings, such as ATM networking, document imaging and Internet banking, are targeted for credit unions with more than $25 million in assets.

Based in San Diego, Calif., privately-held Symitar generated revenues of $33 million for the year that ended Dec. 31, 1999.

Jack Henry had fiscal 1999 revenues of $184.5 million.

"With this acquisition, we will subsequently increase our presence in the credit union market with a high-quality line of products," said Michael E. Henry, chairman and chief executive officer of Jack Henry, in a press release. "Symitar is one of the top five vendors in the industry and is well-known for its top-level support and service."

Neosho

Y to be complete in July 2001

A local company will build Neosho's new YMCA.

The Freeman Southwest Family YMCA Board recently accepted a low bid of $4.2 million from BRANCO Enterprises to construct the YMCA's new facility. The bid includes all of the construction and most of the ground work. Kromm, Rikimaru & Johansen Inc. is the architectural firm designing the project.

Construction is expected to take 400 days from the letting of the contract. Anticipated completion of the facility is July 2001.

The board also voted to accept the bids of Arvest Bank, Community Bank & Trust and Neosho Savings & Loan for $1.5 million construction loan to fund the building project.