Branson News Guide

New construction in city also sets another record

The success of the 95-acre Branson Landing along Lake Taneycomo has surpassed the expectations of Branson Mayor Lou Schaefer, and he considers it the biggest accomplishment of 2006 as he reflects on another year of record growth.

“The opening of Branson Landing last spring also opened up this city to more economic development, income and visitors,” said Schaefer. “The Board of Aldermen’s decision to utilize Tax Increment Financing or TIFs to develop Branson Landing has spurred other economic development in Branson and made 2006 the best year in history.”

Schaefer pointed to the record sales and tourism tax revenues in 2006. Sales tax revenue totaled $13.1 million, breaking the $12.3 million mark set in 2003 and 2005. The tourism tax brought in $11 million in 2006, topping the $10.4 million in 2005.

The Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce reported that 2006 saw a record 7.3 million visitors to the Branson area.
“The tourism generated by Branson has a major, positive impact for the state of Missouri and the Branson School District,” said Schaefer. “The state received more than $37.6 million in sales tax revenue generated from Branson in 2006. Plus, the increase in property values created by Branson’s economic development efforts, primarily spurred through the city’s use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, have had a significant and measurable positive impact on producing new revenues for the Branson School District.”

Three stores new to Branson opened in 2006 at Branson Hills Plaza, a 141-acre TIF district created by the city at the northwest corner of U.S. 65 and Bee Creek interchange. They include Target, Home Depot and TJ Maxx. Already under construction in Branson Hills are a Wal-Mart Supercenter and Kohl’s department store, both scheduled to open in 2008.
Two major tourism-related businesses opened in 2006 – Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater and Titanic the Legend Continues, both on Highway 76. Schaefer credits the city’s economic development department with playing a major role in attracting these venues to Branson.

Schaefer said Branson Landing and Branson Hills Plaza contributed to a record-breaking year in new construction. The value of new construction in the city in 2006 totaled more than $200 million, breaking the record of $173 million set in 2005.

“But just as important are the millions of dollars in new growth stimulated by Branson Landing and Branson Hills Plaza outside of those two TIF districts like the 2,000 seat Sight and Sound Theater on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and the 400 acre Branson Commerce Park on Highway 248,” said Schaefer. “TIFs provide the momentum for economic development.”

The Board of Aldermen approved subdivision plans for more than 350 single and multi-family units in Branson during 2006 to provide the housing for workers filling all the new jobs.

Schaefer said another accomplishment in 2006 has been the success of the Branson RecPlex in bringing more sporting events to town, which in turn, boosts tourism. The RecPlex, built in 2005, was designed to accommodate state, regional and national athletic events. In 2006, Branson hosted two national and 15 regional tournaments that brought over 27,000 additional visitors to our city, just in the first year of the Recplex’s operation.

Other projects completed by the city in 2006 include Branson Landing Boulevard with a roundabout and new bridge over Roark Creek; a year-round household chemical collection site at the city’s recycle center; and the first leg of a trail connecting Stockstill Park to Branson Landing. Construction started last month on adding another eastbound lane on Highway 76 between U.S. 65 and Roark Valley Road that also includes improvements to the exit ramps at 65 and 76. The engineering design and land acquisition for the Fall Creek Road extension continues moving forward.

“We continually monitor and address the transportation needs of our city for the safety and convenience of residents and visitors,” Schaefer said.

Looking ahead to 2007, Schaefer excitedly anticipates opening the 220,000 square foot Branson Convention Center and 293 room Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel in August.

“The city’s first convention center will provide a powerful incentive for associations, groups and companies to visit Branson,” he said. “We’ll be able to reach new and different markets and offer yet another reason to travel to Branson.”

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 28th, 2006 at 11:27 am and is filed under Branson News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.