Taney County Partnership installs new leader

provided by Taney County Partnership

Matthew Adkins started in the Taney County role on Jan. 2.

Last edited 2:37 p.m., Jan. 7, 2025 [Editor's note: Adkins' titles have been clarified.]

The Taney County Partnership has a new leader in place.

Matthew Adkins started Jan. 2 as executive director at the TCP and vice president and chief economic development officer at the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & Convention and Visitors Bureau, according to a news release. The TCP, which is a public/private economic development partnership made up of the Branson chamber, Taney County, incorporated cities and villages in the county, and business-sector stakeholders, shares office space with the chamber at 4100 Gretna Road.

"I have always found that chambers of commerce provide the tools and resources to touch all aspects of economic development, from entrepreneurship to health care, child care, housing, commercial and retail, education, transportation and even manufacturing," Adkins said in the release. "Having the opportunity to work alongside both of these organizations, I feel that we will continue to be able to push the envelope on innovation and improve the quality of life for the citizens and visitors of this region."

Heather Hermen, chief marketing and communications officer for the Branson CVB and TCP, confirmed via email this morning that Adkins is the successor to Jonas Arjes, who led the TCP until October, when he joined the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

A Kentucky native, Adkins oversaw several community and economic development organizations in the state over the last five years. Adkins' career has included gigs as director of government services for the Carroll County Fiscal Court and executive director of the Kentucky I-71 Economic Development Alliance and the Carroll County Community Development Corp., according to his LinkedIn profile. Among his career accomplishments, Adkins last year was awarded the Kentucky Association for Economic Development’s Young Professional of the Year honor for his work in securing more than $300 million in capital investment and the creation of over 400 jobs along the I-71 corridor.

“Taney County Partnership was formed to help attract new businesses to our area and assist our existing businesses to grow and prosper. Matt brings experience and great leadership skills to move the partnership forward," said Stan Field, TCP board chair, in the release.