Tantone Industries gets $1.3M in bonds for service expansion

A Branson nonprofit has been approved for federal bonds that will allow for a much-needed facilities expansion.

Tantone Industries was approved for $1.3 million in Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds based on its application to the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

The nonprofit organization, which employs 54 disabled workers at its East State Highway 76 facility, plans to use the money to expand its operations with new truck docks, a 10,000-square-foot warehouse addition and a commercial laundry, along with energy-efficiency upgrades.

The Recovery Zone Economic Development Bond program was created through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The bonds go to public projects in designated recovery zones, to be used for capital expenditures, infrastructure or job training and education programs.

Tim Connell, chairman of the Taney County Industrial Development Authority, said in a news release that pursuit of the Tantone bond approval is one of several business enhancements undertaken by the Taney County Commission, including the creation of an executive director position for the county Office of Economic Development.

Connell also noted that the Tantone bonds bring the county's total for government assistance in economic development to nearly $10 million in 2009.

"This is just another example of how the county is looking forward to the future needs of the citizens in our community, and we are happy to just be a sponsor with the rest of the community," Connell said in the release.