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Table Rock Lake Chamber begins 'Launch Stone County' initiative
Submitted to Branson Globe
The Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce today celebrated the formal kickoff of its “Launch Stone County” initiative, a five-year economic development strategic plan and fundraising campaign to implement it, with a surprising announcement.
The original budget for the plan was $1.1 million over the five years, or $220,000 a year. The Chamber announced they have already received pledges of over $1 million, prior to the public kickoff.
“The response to this effort has been truly amazing,” said Dwayne Falk, Chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors and CoChair of the Launch Stone County campaign. “The commitment from our 32 early investors from the business community, Stone County and some of our municipalities has been strong.
To us, this shows this is the right plan at the right time.”
The Chamber announced a “stretch” goal of $1.25 million.‘We believe this plan will help grow jobs and the tax base in our county.’
“With additional resources we can provide more services,” Falk said.
We believe this plan will help grow jobs and the tax base in our county.
The plan, which had input from over 100 community members, includes four focus areas: Business Retention/Expansion/Recruitment; Workforce Development/Housing; Effective Marketing to Visitors; and Community Development/ Placemaking. Each focus area has an overall goal with several supporting strategies designed to achieve the goal, and performance measures.
The plan includes hiring an economic development director, working on effective business retention/expansion and attraction, completing a housing study to help develop affordable housing opportunities, and assisting local governments with economic development expertise.
The plan also outlines specific outcomes, or performance measures, which will be reported to investors quarterly,” said Steve Verheyen, co-chair of the Launch Stone County campaign. “It’s important to emphasize that this effort requires accountability, and communication and input from our investors.”
“We believe this plan will help grow jobs and the tax base in the county,” Falk said. “Our Chamber president/CEO Sheila Thomas has been working on making this happen for many years now, and to finally have the resources to do it will make all the difference.”
Early investors in Launch Stone County are the following:
American Family Insurance, Tracy Carver Agency
Aux-Arcs Team at Keller Williams - Ann Ferguson
Blackbeard Marine Branson - Clint Stoffels
BFRealty - Allen and Judy Berkstresser
Branson Bank – Bill Jones
Central Bank of Branson – Joe Loth
City of Kimberling City
Cox Medical Center Branson – William Mahoney
Dake/Wells Architecture – Brandon Dake
DeWitt & Associates – G.R. Stovall
Generations Bank – Sam Piche
Great Southern Bank – Andrea Brady
HealthMarkets Insurance - Nick Morris
Virgil and Susan Moore
L & J Plumbing – Jeff Justus
Keller Williams TriLakes Realty
Mike Tinnes Farm Bureau Insurance
Ozark Electric Cooperative – Mitchell Johnson
Reeds Spring School District
Rockn’ Rental at Table Rock – Diane Todd
State Farm Insurance - Maureen Darby
Kristi Stephens - Stone County Treasurer
Stone County Commission
Table Rock Sunset Properties - Kathy and Gary Clark
Table Rock Community Bank - Dwayne Falk
Table Rock Shore Resort – Jim Towery
Talking Rocks Cavern - Bruce Herschend
The Village of Indian Point
Tom Martin Shelter Insurance - Tom Martin
Steve and Robin Verheyen
White River Valley Electric Cooperative - Cassie Cunningham
Deana Wolfe – REALTOR – Reece Nichols Real Estate
Following the public announcement, the Chamber will be reaching out to additional businesses and community groups to consider investment in the plan. For more information regarding Launch Stone County, contact Chamber President/ CEO Sheila Thomas at 417-739-2564.
