Southwest Missouri News

Branson

City names Canote employee of the year

Andy Canote has been named the 1999 Employee of the Year by the city of Branson. Canote, a seven-year employee with the Branson Public Works Department, is a street sweeper operator. Canote was recognized for not missing any work days last year and for his flexibility in performing not only his own job, but helping where needed. He was also named Employee of the Month last August.

Another city employee, Tim Trout, a plans examiner, has earned the certification of Master Code Official from the Building Officials Code Administration. Trout is one of 130 municipal building inspectors in the United States to receive this BOCA certification. In the past six years, Trout passed 26 BOCA examinations covering all areas of commercial and residential building inspection.

Branson is named top destination

The American Bus Association selected Branson as the top motorcoach destination for the sixth year in a row, according to the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Branson ranked first in three categories, the most of any destination. Branson was named the Best All-Around City for Motorcoach Travel/Tours, with Washington, D.C., second and New York City, third.

Branson was also named the top City or Area That Works Hardest to Accommodate Group Tours, with Baltimore in second and Circle, Mich., and St. Louis tied for third. Branson was also designated Destination with Best Value of Money Spent, with Washington, D.C., second and Montreal, Quebec, third. In Best Theater/Entertainment for Groups category, Branson came in third behind the Broadway shows of New York City ranking first and Sight and Sound Theaters in Strasburg, Penn., ranking second.

Prophet back at Pickin' Parlor

Canadian country artist Ronnie Prophet will return for the 2000 season at The Shepherd of the Hills Homestead's Pickin' Parlor Theatre. Beginning April 3, Prophet will perform at 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and at 3 p.m. on selected Wednesdays and Thursdays. Prophet is best known for Chet Atkins-style finger picking on the guitar and was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in September 1999. He and his wife, Glory Anne, have performed at The Shepherd of the Hills since 1997.

The Shepherd of the Hills Homestead has also announced plans to expand the Pickin' Parlor Theatre to 400 seats in 2001.

Latest stats on tourism businesses released

The City of Branson has released tourism-based business figures compiled by the city's health and finance departments. The following are the official numbers of theaters, hotels and restaurants in the city limits of Branson as of Dec. 31.

Number of theaters: 49

Number of theater seats: 58,780

Number of lodging facilities: 202

Number of lodging rooms: 17,550

Number of restaurants: 339

Number of restaurant seats: 32,052

Carl Junction

Dollar General store set to open on Pennell

After nearly four years of negotiations with Dollar General, Carl Junction has landed one of the franchise's retail outlets. The new store will be located at 1304 E. Pennell St. and construction is expected to begin in late spring. Dollar General, founded in 1955, owns and operates 203 retail outlets in Missouri and more than 4,200 in the United States.

Carthage

McKnight new director at chamber

Via an agreement worked out between the city of Carthage and its Chamber of Commerce, Max McKnight will become the chamber's new executive director March 1. McKnight is now the city's director of economic development. Under the agreement, the city will contract with the chamber for economic development services.

McKnight is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a bachelor's degree in business management. He is also a graduate of the Economic Development Institute of the University of Oklahoma.

Joplin

Gilman named Main Street Joplin director

Kimberly Gilman has been named director of Main Street Joplin Inc. Gilman, who served as assistant director for two years, succeeds Brian Marlow.

Gilman is planning to continue projects that Main Street Joplin is already doing, and hopes to add others that will promote economic development, beautification and historic preservation.

The group will continue its efforts to restore Joplin's Union Depot to some useful purpose. Main Street Joplin is seeking to renew its option with the state of Missouri, which acquired title to the historic structure when a state-financed renovation project failed. The option would permit the group to maintain and market the building.

The group spent $137,390 in 1999 on economic development.