Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Job Service issues employment figures

Branson Job Service reports the unemployment rate in May for Stone County was 4.5 percent, and for Taney County it was 3.2 percent. The statewide unemployment rate in May for Missouri was 3.1 percent.

Gambling topic of mayors conference

City officials from southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas have been invited to the Lakes Area Mayors Conference on Gambling to be held 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 23 at the Jim Stafford Theater in Branson. The meeting is being cosponsored by Branson Mayor Lou Schaefer and Kimberling City Mayor Betty Kowalewich.

According to the city of Branson, speakers attending the conference will include those who have conducted extensive research on the impact of gambling, as well as several state legislators and elected officials, including Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon and former state Sen. Emory Melton from Cassville.

In a letter to area mayors, Schaefer and Kowalewich stated the conference was being held in light of recent announcements of projects in the Branson lakes area whose developers have gambling interests in other states. The letter also stated that land-based gambling was again being discussed in Arkansas.

There is no charge for the conference.

Hollister After Hours set for July 19

The Hollister After Hours mixer, sponsored by the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held 5:30-7 p.m. July 19 at Nowell's grocery store in Southtowne Center. The chamber of commerce's second annual Grape & Fall Festival has also been set for Sept. 10-11 in downtown Hollister. The Business After Hours of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce will be 5:30-7 p.m. July 15 at Branson USA.

City, chamber Web site now online

The new Web site for the city of Hollister and the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce went online June 21 at

www.ozarksoutherngateway.com.

The site includes local history, current and historic photographs, business listings, a calendar of events and a special Children's Corner that allows browsers to do such things as set up camp on the banks of Lake Taneycomo, move trees around, catch fish and fly airplanes or a helicopter overhead.

Queen City Air Freight adds facility

Queen City Air Freight, a Springfield-based freight handler, has begun construction on a 12,000-square-foot building at the Joplin Regional Airport.

Doug Boatright, vice president of Queen City, spoke at a ground-breaking ceremony and said that the Joplin location was needed because of the large volume of manufacturing-related freight his company is handling in the area. The move will allow Joplin area firms to have local pick-up and delivery of air freight.

Joplin Mayor Earl Carr said the investment by Queen City is the first step in promoting additional growth at the airport. The city of Joplin is spending more than $1 million on a taxiway and utility infrastructure on the airport's west side. The infrastructure, he noted, will serve Queen City Air Freight and open up four to six additional sites for companies with air operations.

Queen City now operates from a leased building away from the airport. The firm's eight employees will move into the new building when it is completed.

CFI receives Preferred Supplier Award

CFI, a Joplin-based trucking company, has been awarded the Preferred Supplier Award by PACCAR Inc., is a worldwide leader in premium quality light-, medium- and heavy-truck manufacturing under the Kenworth, Peterbilt, DAF and Foden name brands.

The company's Preferred Supplier Program recognizes suppliers that have achieved the highest levels of quality, combined with a competitive approach to business and commitment to improved technology and customer service.

CFI is one of only four service providers to receive the award.

Chamber names new manager, director

Karen Fritchey is the new small business manager and Ginger LaMar is the new membership director for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce.

Fritchey received the chamber's Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1992 when she owned Fast Copy Printing. She has served twice on the chamber's board.

LaMar is the former sales manager for Holiday Inn. She was responsible for attracting business to the hotel, as well as coordinating events, conventions and meal functions. LaMar previously served on the chamber's special events committee.[[In-content Ad]]