Branson News Guide

The Branson Board of Aldermen directed city staff to begin the process of providing tax increment financing (TIF) for the $250 million Pinnacle Falls along Highway 376 on the city’s west side.

The project’s developer, David Cushman of Cushman Properties, told aldermen at a public meeting September 28 that the project cannot succeed without the city TIF. If a TIF district were created, the developer would be able to use a portion of the sales taxes collected within the district to pay for certain infrastructure costs like roads, sewers and water.

Pinnacle Falls includes an aquarium, indoor water park and hotel, retail district, and several other attractions. It would be built on 300 acres already owned by Cushman on Highway 376 across from Celebration City.

Most of the 75 residents and business owners at the public meeting showed approval for the TIF. Several said the development would generate new visitors and generally boost business throughout the Branson area.

Several liked the idea that the project on the west side of town would create a bookend to Branson Landing downtown on the east side of the city.

“I think Pinnacle Falls is another project that is favorable with Branson Landing. It will bookend well,” said Craig Richards, president of Ozark Mountain Bank.

Rick Huffman, developer of Branson Landing, also spoke in support of a TIF for Pinnacle Falls.
“We think it will only enhance visitation to Branson and Branson Landing,” Huffman said. Only one speaker opposed the project. Local dentist Rick Tallon, a member of the Branson School Board, said TIFs would hurt the growing Branson school district by withholding property tax revenue from a development that might eventually happen anyway. TIF allows local governments to give up all new property tax revenue created by a new development for up to 23 years.

But Huffman said TIF developments generate expansion outside the TIF districts that produce property tax revenue for schools. “Growth supports property tax. Growth supports schools,” he said.

After the meeting, city officials agreed to begin the creation of a development agreement with Cushman Properties and prepare a financial feasibility study on the project.

New destination attraction to be built on city’s west side

The Branson Board of Aldermen will hold a special public meeting on Thursday, September 28, 10 a.m. in City Hall Council Chambers to hear a presentation by developers of the recently announced Pinnacle Falls Entertainment District and Resort.

The development would be located on 308-acres along Missouri Highway 376, just west of the current Steak ‘N Shake restaurant. According to the developer, Cushman Properties, Pinnacle Falls features an aquarium, indoor water park hotel, shopping, dining, and themed attractions – all set against the background of a European village.

Some of the other features of Pinnacle Falls include a rushing river through the center of the district, interactive fountains, an echo wishing well and a giant glockenspiel tower. Special lighting, sound and animation would create additional entertainment at night.

According to David Cushman of Cushman Properties, a feasibility study showed that once Pinnacle Falls opens in 2009, it will bring more than $150 million in sales and attract more then 4 million people, of which 400,000 will be new visitors to Branson.

Cushman said the first phase of the project would cost around $250 million and include the “award winning” aquarium. Cushman has advised that he will be seeking tax increment financing (TIF) from the city of Branson for a portion of the development. A TIF allows a portion of the sales taxes collected from within the completed development to be used to pay off bonds that finance certain aspects of the project like roads, sewers, and water lines.

Aldermen want to learn more details about the project and have the opportunity to question developers about it.

Experience the Classic West At Silver Dollar City’s Festival of American Music & Crafts - Presenting a ‘Salute to the Great American Cowboy’ - September 14-October 28 (Wednesday through Sunday)

Experience the legend and lore of the classic West when Silver Dollar City presents the Salute to the Great American Cowboy within the Festival of American Music & Crafts. Trick riding and roping, western entertainment, bluegrass stars and the nation’s top craftsmen are featured during the festival which runs September 14 - October 28 at the Branson, Missouri theme park.

The entertainment lineup includes a special concert by country star Mark Chesnutt on Sept. 23, and special western shows with Grammy-winner Riders In The Sky and the popular Sons of the San Joaquin. Six-time IBMA* Female Vocalist of the Year and Grammy nominee Rhonda Vincent headlines the bluegrass entertainment with special concerts Oct. 4 and 5, and hundreds of musicians perform throughout the festival.

Widely recognized as the premier event for fine craftsmanship, the festival features stone carvers, copper sculptors, silversmiths and stained glass artists, part of more than 125 visiting artists from across the country who fill booths lining the streets of the theme park with their colorful handwork. Best of Missouri Hands juried artists are spotlighted with crafts including handcrafted pewterware, bent-willow furniture, blown glass art and stoneware pottery.

A special showcase of western crafters features custom-made leather hats, Navajo jewelry, western art, bronze sculpture, hat making and saddle and tack making. Guests can vote for their favorite custom-made cowboy boots as boot makers from around the country compete in the new Best of American Boot Makers Competition.

The tastes of the fall harvest are served up throughout the park, with smoked turkey legs, roasted corn on the cob and hearty skillet meals cooked on open grills. For a full festival feast, guests can dine at Tastes of America in the Red Gold Heritage Hall, featuring barbecued ribs, roasted prairie chicken, southwestern tacos or buffalo chili, and desserts from blackberry cobbler and peach pie to hot apple dumplings, while trick riders, ropers and rodeo stars perform in the Red Gold Arena.

Cowboy Features

Meet some of television’s top western heroes when Gunsmoke’s Buck Taylor hosts stars of classic American Westerns such as Clint Walker and James Drury, and catch performances by Waddie Mitchell and other Western Heritage Cowboy Poets. Dancers can kick up their heels at the country barn dance.

Performers include:

• Roy Rogers, Jr.
• Les Gilliam and the Silver Lake Band
• Sourdough Slim
• Red Steagall
• Sons of the Silver Dollar
• R.W. Hampton
• Pake McIntyre
• Syd Masters and the Swing Riders
• Bill Barwick

Bluegrass & Traditional Music

Along with bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, national touring bands and rising bluegrass stars perform at stages throughout the park.

Performers include:

• The Biscuit Burners
• Old School Bluegrass
• Hit & Run Bluegrass
• Special Consensus
• Midnight Flight
• Southern Drawl
• Nothin’ Fancy
• The Boohers
• 3 Fox Drive

The sounds and smells of the fall harvest fill the Silver Dollar City Square, where guests can see sorghum making, demonstrations of cow milking with the turn-of-the-century dairy equipment, and street shows with a stagecoach that is a replica of the historic Butterfield Stage Line. A cast of talented singers and dancers perform in Classic Country Nights at Echo Hollow Amphitheatre each evening.