Verizon Wireless considers Branson market

The Branson Board of Aldermen Monday night approved on first reading a contract with Verizon to lease about 648 square feet of space on the city’s water tower next to Wal-Mart, on West State Highway 76. The lease would be for 15 years at $2,500 per month, with an automatic annual escalator of 4 percent.

City of Branson Public Information Director Jerry Adams said the city believes the water-tower space would be used for a cell tower, though no specifics have been laid out.

Verizon spokeswoman Cheryl Bini would not comment on the lease but said the company is actively looking for real estate in southwest Missouri. Verizon does not currently offer service in Branson.

Verizon also has filed applications for two cell sites in Christian County – one on 98 acres near Highlandville, and the other off of Gregg Road in Nixa.

The New Jersey-based company announced last year that it planned to spend more than $125 million enhancing its digital network in Missouri, Kansas and southern Illinois.