Southwest Missouri News

Grand Palace shows live on the Internet

Syncor Entertainment Inc. announced Sept. 1 that it would become partners with Tappedinto.com to broadcast live concerts at The Grand Palace over the Internet. In a press release, Rob Hall, president of Syncor Entertainment, said, "Our partnership with Tappedinto.com will provide our existing customers and potential customers the opportunity to access our events and concerts over the World Wide Web."

According to Syncor Entertainment, Tappedinto.com offers consumers, artists, production companies and record labels the opportunity to participate in live concert Webcasts, on-demand video Webcasts, chats and profiles, online promotions and advertising opportunities, immediate demographic feedback and downloads.

The music site also offers full e-commerce with a complete music store and merchandise.

The first concert from The Grand Palace to be broadcast live on Tappedinto.com will be the Glen Campbell show at 8 p.m. on Sept. 17.

Unemployment drops in Taney, Stone

A report from the Branson Job Service showed unemployment rates for both Stone and Taney counties continued to drop in July. The unemployment rate for Stone County decreased from 4.3 percent in June to 3.8 percent in July. In Taney County, the unemployment rate dropped from 3 percent in June to 2.7 percent in July. The Missouri state unemployment rate remained the same at 3.9 percent in July.

New fall TV campaign aims at tourists

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau will have its first fall television advertising campaign with the help of the Missouri Division of Tourism.

The chamber received matching funds from the state to use for fall advertising in St. Louis, Kansas City and Little Rock during the weeks of Sept. 6 and Sept. 13. According to Bryan Harding, vice-president of marketing for the chamber, "The fall media buy is designed to extend the spring/summer television advertising exposure in key markets.

"This advertising campaign will also help drive business to the Branson/Lakes Area in the fall through to the Christmas season," he added.

Tour directors group set to meet Sept. 15

The Professional Tour Directors Association will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 15 at Bonniebrook Park National Historic Site near Branson. The speaker will be Sharon Bart of Professional Services who will provide tips on putting together a professional resume. For more information, call 335-4882.

Watson new PR manager at chamber

Janice E. Watson has joined the communications department of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce as public relations manager after moving to Branson from southern Oregon.

Watson was born in the Ozarks but has spent 40 years primarily in Tulsa, Sacramento and Medford, Ore. Her background is in radio promotion, media and advertising agency work.

Goodwin named Postal Federal manager

Debbie Goodwin is the new branch manager of the Postal Federal Community Credit Union in Branson.

Goodwin has 18 years of financial service experience, including five years in management.

Tyson to close processing plant Oct. 31

Tyson Foods Inc. will close its Neosho chicken processing plant on Oct. 31, employees were informed Aug. 30. With 376 employees, Tyson is one of the largest employers in Neosho.

"Our company is consolidating operations and assets to be as efficient as possible," said Donald "Buddy" Way, Tyson president and chief operating officer, in a prepared statement. Production will be shifted to the company's plants in Rogers, Ark., and Dawson, Ga.

"By combining facilities, we are able to do similar production more efficiently and effectively because of location or processing design," Way said.

The Neosho plant has been in operation since the early 1950s and has been owned by Tyson since the Springdale, Ark.-based company acquired Honeybear Foods nearly 20 years ago.

Archie Schaffer, Tyson spokesman, said all of the Neosho employees will be offered jobs at other plants in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. He said the company could not guarantee that their wages and benefits would not change.

The Neosho Department of Economic Development is organizing a job fair for displaced employees. Any industry interested in participating should contact the Neosho Chamber of Commerce, 451-2945.