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NEWS RELEASE #1 (From www.cityofbranson.org/NewsReleases)
September 8, 2007
Branson Convention Center officially opens
Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley and former mayor Lou Schaefer (third from left) join other dignitaries in cutting the red ribbon to officially open the Branson Convention Center during ceremonies September 7.
"Branson’s long history of entertaining our guests will simply be enhanced by this state-of-the-art center," said Presley. " It will allow groups of all sizes to combine work and pleasure in a convenient, spacious and beautiful setting."
With the capacity to accommodate up to 4,500 attendees at a time, the Branson Convention Center is an ideal location for a diverse range of events and gatherings – from national and regional trade shows and conventions, to religious symposiums, corporate meetings, public expos and large-scale entertainment events.
The Branson Convention Center will offer guests 220,000 square feet of flexible space in a stunning, lakefront setting. The first level will consist of a 47,000 square foot exhibit hall that can be divided into two sections, as well as a 23,000 square foot ballroom. The second level will feature five meeting rooms, ranging in size from 1,200 to 5,500 square feet. A curving, exposed timber pedestrian concourse will offer guests a pleasing view of the Lake Taneycomo waterfront as they travel between the Center’s meeting and exhibit facilities and the adjacent 294-room, 12-story Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel.
Bill Tirone, director of sales and marketing for Hilton Hotels, said the convention center — before it opened — had booked 240 days for the coming 1 1/2 years. He said the convention center hopes to average 250 event days per year.
For the grand opening, the convention center invited 400 event planners from around the country. About 100 came, Tirone said
NEWS RELEASE #2 (from www.cityofbranson.org/newsreleases)
July 20, 2007
Contact: Jerry Adams, Branson public information director, 417-337-8526
Branson breaks ground on first private commercial airport
Completion scheduled for 2009
Local dignitaries turned the shovels to mark the beginning of construction for the Branson Airport that is expected to see commercial flights in May 2009.
"I can tell you, it’s a big day," said Steve Peet, president of Branson Airport LLC. The company has been working for seven years to get engineering plans, federal permits and financing.
Peet said a few weeks ago his company closed the financing of the $140 million airport. Branson Airport found investors dedicated to being part of what is now the country’s first privately developed and operated commercial airport. The partnership invested $25 million, and sold $113 million in bonds.
Peet said negotiations are now underway with airlines to bring flights to Branson. He said his company is particularly interested in bringing in low-fare carriers. The airport will be located south of Branson off of U.S. Highway 65. It will consist of an access road, a 7,140-foot runway and terminal.
The city of Branson is financially obligated to the airport only under a "pay-for-performance" contract. The 30year agreement states the city will pay the airport $8.24 for each arriving visitor, with an annual cap of $2 million.
City officials believe the airport will bring more visitors to town and to the new convention center set to open next month. ]
But the airport isn’t the only development in that area. Glenn Patch, who owns the property where the airport is located, plans to build an 8,000-seat arena and 15,000-seat amphitheater near the airport to attract large events like tractor pulls and horse shows.
Patch bought 7,000 acres south of Branson in 1990. The property used to be a ranch belonging to country music legend Tennessee Ernie Ford. During the past 17
years, Patch has developed two golf courses, up-scale homes, condominiums and now an airport.
Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley doesn’t consider the new Branson Airport as competition to other airports in the region – specifically the Springfield/Branson National Airport.
"It’s not so much about competition, but more about the opportunity for more access for travelers," she said. "This is the beginning of what I believe will be a rush to come visit the Branson area."
NEWS RELEASE #3 (from www.cityofbranson.org/newsreleases)
May 16, 2007
Contact: Caroll McCullough, police chief, 334-3300
Police Detectives Receive Advanced Crime Scene Accreditation
Veteran Branson police officers Scotty Penner and Sean Barnwell have successfully completed their Crime Scene Investigator’s Certification from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin.
Penner, a 23-year veteran of the police department, is a captain in the detective division, and Barnwell, who has been with the department for 14 years, is a detective sergeant.
The certification consisted of 81 hours of training that covered crime scene analysis; enhanced fingerprinting techniques; forensic laboratory services and technology; and courtroom preparation. Penner and Barnwell joined law enforcement officers from three states to attend the training at Missouri Southern with the instructors being nationally certified by numerous state and federal agencies.
Branson Police Chief Caroll McCullough congratulated Penner and Barnwell on their accomplishments, and said he is continually updating training for his officers to provide the best law enforcement services for residents and visitors.
NEWS RELEASE #4 (from www.cityofbranson.org/newsreleases)
August 24, 2007
Contact: David Miller, city engineer, 337-8559
Work begins next week on Fall Creek and Highway 76 intersection
Temporary bypass to be built for Fall Creek Access
Construction begins next week to realign the intersection of West Highway 76 and Fall Creek Road, which means closing the present portion of Fall Creek that connects to 76. Contractors will be building a temporary bypass road west of Highway 76 to provideaccess to Fall Creek. This detour will connect Highway 76 to Fall Creek and run through property that formerly was the site of Billy Bob Dairyland. Highway 76 will remain open to eastwest traffic during the construction.
Surveying and staking the boundaries of the intersection begins Monday, and then the excavation starts on the temporary by-pass connecting Highway 76 to Fall Creek. According to Branson City Engineer David Miller, there will be signs directing traffic through the construction zone and lowering the speed limit. Miller said traffic could be stopped for a brief period of time during this construction of the bypass that will eventually allow motorists to enter and exit Fall Creek Road.
This intersection improvement is the second phase of a three-phase project to eventually connect Fall Creek Road north to Roark Valley Road at the James Epps intersection. When completed, Fall Creek will be another major north-south thoroughfare through Branson from Highway 248 to Table Rock Dam.
The Highway 76 and Fall Creek construction will take about five months to complete. It will be signalized for better traffic control, and right turn lanes added on eastbound Highway 76 and northbound Fall Creek. |