On March 22 Governor Mike Parson announced appointments to various boards and commissions. Jonas Arjes was appointed to serve on the Missouri Development Finance Board (MDFB). The mission of the MDFB is “To assist infrastructure and economic development projects in Missouri by providing the critical component of the total financing for projects that have a high probability of success but are not feasible without the Board’s assistance.”



Arjes currently serves the Branson community as the Interim President and Chief Executive Officer for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau. He has been with the organization since 2012 when he was hired to start and run the Taney County Partnership, the economic development arm of the Branson Chamber & CVB. A lifelong resident of Taney County and graduate of Branson High School, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Administrative Management degree from Missouri State University and is a certified Economic Developer.

State Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office issued an emergency regulation clarifying that, because gender transition interventions are experimental, they are covered by existing law governing unfair, deceptive and unconscionable business practices, including in administering healthcare services. Click here for more.

The Missouri General Assembly returned to Jefferson City Monday. The Senate started off by working all night to reach a compromise on Senate Bills 39 and 49. SB 39 (Rehder, Dist. 27, Sikeston) establishes guidelines for student participation in athletic contests organized by sex. SB 49 (Moon, Dist. 29, Lawrence County) establishes the “Missouri Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act” and modifies provisions relating to public funding of certain gender transition procedures. Both bills passed the Senate this morning with a concession the restrictions will end in August 2027 if not reauthorized.

Sports Betting – Yesterday the Missouri House approved HB 556 (Houx, Dist. 54, Warrensburg) to legalize sports betting that includes on gambling boats and online wagering. It has been reported this would bring an additional $21-29 million in revenue benefitting education, when fully implemented. We’ll see what happens with this one in the Senate.

Taxation – HB 816 (Deaton, Dist. 159, Noel) would reduce the corporate income tax from 4% to 2%. It would also reduce the rate of tax on the highest income bracket from 4.95% to 4.5% and exempt Social Security payments from taxation. Representative Deaton says it will promote economic growth, noting future cuts included only take effect when triggered by revenue growth. HB 816 passed out of the House this morning and has been reported to the Senate.

Budget – The House Budget Chair submitted revisions to the Budget Committee Tuesday. His revisions include a cut of $1.5 billion in general revenue and approximately $2.6 billion from Governor Parson’s $51.6 billion proposed budget. Included in the cuts: zeroed out $56 million for prekindergarten expansion, $78 million for childcare subsidies (increased rates for care providers) and $4.5 million for state aid to public libraries (because they are suing the state to overturn a bill passed last year related to explicit material in libraries). $859 million for widening I-70 was cut, too. Related to the childcare programs, the budget chair said that could wait because close to a billion from Federal COVID relief funds are being distributed to childcare programs. As of this writing, the Budget Committee is in session marking-up the budget. It is expected the full House will take this up next week. Once the House passes the budget, it will go to the Senate. The budget must be on Governor Parson’s desk May 5. 

The Annual Community Marketing Presentation will take place Wednesday, April 5, 9:00am to 11:00am. We invite you to learn about our current creative campaign and marketing initiatives, connect in-person with agency representatives, and engage with the supporting team at Explore Branson. This year, the presentation will be more structured than last year's open house campaign kickoff. Please plan to attend the presentations in full to get a complete picture of the results of the campaign and a look ahead at how it will continue to evolve. Coffee and donuts will be available to all guests. Click the link below to RSVP.

Wednesday, April 5 | 9:00 AM-11:00 AM

Branson Chamber & CVB

4100 Gretna Road

Branson, MO 65616

AQS QUILT WEEK THROUGH SATURDAY

AQS Quilt Week is back in Branson for the second year. Visit the Branson Convention Center this weekend for quilt classes, lectures, and special events from the best names in quilting. Whether you're a beginner or advanced quiltmaker, AQS has classes and techniques with you in mind. See the latest in quilting as you browse aisles of fabrics, machines, and quilting supply vendors in the AQS QuiltWeek Merchant Mall. Be inspired as you explore hundreds of beautiful quilts, from award-winning and semi-finalist contest quilts to special exhibits.

March 22-25

Branson Convention Center

200 S Sycamore Street

Branson, MO 65616

16TH ANNUAL ELVIS FESTIVAL

The 16th Annual Branson Elvis™ Festival will be held at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater

March 24-26. The Ultimate Elvis™ Tribute Artist Contest™ semi-finals will take place Saturday, March 25 at 7:00 pm and the finals will take place Sunday, March 26 at 2:00 pm. This contest is one of a select few tribute competitions sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

March 24-26

Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater

1600 W 76 Country Boulevard

Branson, MO 65616

BRANSON BRIDGEUSA MEETING UPDATE

In support of the Bridge USA Community Support Group, meeting dates for the 2023 season are below. In person and online attendance is available. All meetings are held at 10:00am at the Branson Chamber and CVB Building. For employers still considering participating in the program, contact Jonas Tavares at jtavares@taneycountypartnership.com or click the link below to receive Branson BridgeUSA updates!

Community Support Group Meeting Schedule

March 27, 2023

April 24, 2023

May 22, 2023

June 26, 2023

July 24, 2023

August 28, 2023

September 25, 2023 (only if meeting is needed)

COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS TO OBSERVE

VIETNAM VETERANS DAY

College of the Ozarks will hold a special service honoring Vietnam Veterans at Patriots Park on Wednesday, March 29 at 9 a.m. The community is invited to attend. Tom Center, Vietnam Veteran, 2016 College of the Ozarks Patriotic Education Travel Program Veteran participant, and author of The CrossRoads Diaries, will give remarks to honor those who served in the Vietnam War. The service will include an invocation given by Capt. Caleb Dunnam, assistant professor of military science and chaplain in the Missouri Army National Guard, the singing of the national anthem, a ceremonial laying of the wreath, and a playing of taps by Sgt. Maj. Robert Smither (Ret.). For more information, contact Valorie Coleman at (417) 690-2212.

Wednesday, March 29 | 9:00am

Patriots Park at College of the Ozarks

100 Opportunity Avenue

Point Lookout, MO 65726

BRICKTOWN BREWERY SOFT OPENING

BENEFITING BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

Bricktown Brewery, a new restaurant coming to the Branson Landing, will be having a soft opening March 30-April 1. All proceeds from this event will benefit Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks. For the soft opening, 1 ticket is $20.00 and covers 2 people (limit 4 people per table). Your ticket includes an appetizer to share, an entree for 2 people, and a soft drink for each. After you’ve purchased your ticket(s), they will be sent via the email address provided. Please arrive to the soft opening on the date and time that is shown on your ticket, and present your ticket to the host to be seated. Click the link below to purchase tickets.

Bricktown Brewery Branson will be open to the public on Monday, April 3rd at 11:00 AM.