Do you want 12 month employment/economy

[JackPurvis]

Should our commmunity leaders (business and elected) be working to find solutions to the 10 month economy? Do you want or neeed 12 month business/employment?
MAKE it a great day

[Zach7777]

YES....We need and want a 12 month economy....and not necessarily all entertainment...if there are any manufacturing jobs left in the USA....a few of those would be good....

[onemobetta]

Originally Posted by JackPurvis

Should our commmunity leaders (business and elected) be working to find solutions to the 10 month economy? Do you want or neeed 12 month business/employment?
MAKE it a great day

Well, Jack a 12 month economy would fulfill many dreams of many people.

The hard working hourly and/or customer service people in town would have a full year of income which as another subject, needs to improve before employment levels can meet employer demands. When these folks are on tip income or hourly base pay and get laid off for 2 to 3 months, they just can't make it through on unemployment and shouldn't have to.

All businesses would benefit by it. Theatres included and if they want a "vacation" or relief, they can easily go dark for the desired time.

Higher income levels of the general employment population, from, hopefully higher wage base together with a longer income year, would serve to strengthen the overbuilt retail community we have now.

HOWEVER , having said that, there are a number of factors which really make that difficult to unlikely. First but not the least of which is the weather conditions in our area. If a family planning a vacation outing are considering January thru March, they have probably two considerations. If they like winter sports, they head to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Utah,etc. They can't count on anything approaching winter fun here. Secondly, if they prefer a true "southern atmosphere" as to beaches, etc., they will head to Florida, Vegas or the Caribbean etc. They cannot, once again, count on nice weather for their trip here.

The outdoor attractions, (SDC etc. etc.) including the lakes areas and resorts are heavily impacted by this. They can not gear up these attractions only to shut them down every day or few days due to weather. It is not economically feasible to expect these attractions and resort type properties to risk capital on this type of move. It is nothing more than wishful thinking. It just doesn't work and people aren't looking to spend time in the outdoors in those types of attractions. The hoped for convention business will be effected by this, perhaps not in its entirety but certainly significantly by the "lack" of a full bore, active "Branson" in those winter months. The signature Branson attraction doesn't exist for a convention planner for the months of January, February and March either. During those months, essentially or largely because of weather, we don't have a "Branson" to sell, we have a very unique and nice small town with some shopping centers. How many of those exist?

There is a possible avenue which may serve to provide a more seamless approach to all of this. If Branson were also to attract a very light industrial and/or scientific- technical industry base which could or would attract and support professionals and advanced technical positions with good wage levels, its possible to elevate the family income factor to a comfortable level and interest the spouses or younger family members in the tourist employment areas. This would serve to level out the income factors facing the affordable housing element and smooth out the impact on the families from seasonal layoff.

The bottom line is there is no silver bullet for this subject. It is going to take strong planning and pursuit. This won't happen by cowtowing and rolling out the carpet to self interested developers. We need diligent non self interested steering on this issue with a strong, focused economic development staff and city administration which is above reproach.

[Grizzly]

Guy,

I remember when that was the answer we got when someone said " Can we expand from closing on Labor day until Christmas".....

And...


I remember when we could not even think about opening before Mothers Day.

And I rememebr hearing about everything being closed until Memorial Day.




.

[onemobetta]

You are both right, Griz and Mellie- What I referred to more than anything was the "perception" of the tourist in planning their time. They don't envision the "risk" of rain etc in the spring and fall but do in the winter. SDC does well in December due to Christmas as do most everyone but we still have the theaters closing shop around the 13th of December. Theres exceptions of course.

The whole thing is perception as to those months. I don't know if marketing can overcome that "weather risk perception" or not. I wish it could and hope it can.
To support the town being "open" we do need very strong traffic or the vicious circle thing happens.

[Grizzly]

I tend to agree, however, one of the craziest things many of my retail tenants tell me is the number of tourists in February that complain about all the shows being closed. Now they came, but we were closed.... It's a chicken and egg thing again.

Retailers are open because for the most part we make them stay open. Landlords don't like closed signs on their shopping centers. They all seem to make a go of it. Especially these past two yeras.


.

[onemobetta]

Originally Posted by Grizzly

I tend to agree, however, one of the craziest things many of my retail tenants tell me is the number of tourists in February that complain about all the shows being closed. Now they came, but we were closed.... It's a chicken and egg thing again.

Retailers are open because for the most part we make them stay open. Landlords don't like closed signs on their shopping centers. They all seem to make a go of it. Especially these past two yeras.


.

It IS the chicken and the egg thing-I just don't see how we can overcome that.
The centers do contractually require open and I don't blame them a bit. But, again on the other hand the merchant, (especially the sole proprietor, ma and pa) howl understandably when they're paying rents in the down months, which of course they would have to pay anyway to keep the space and so on. Back to the chicken and the egg.

It is a very interesting subject and truthfully there is no one silver bullet.

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by onemobetta

It is a very interesting subject and truthfully there is no one silver bullet.

There never is one silver bullet, but there often is one big stumbling block. It is the age old curse of Branson. The naysayer and can't do it attitude that seems to prevail so often. Why not get a LET's TRY attitude. Seems it worked for Ozark Mountain Christmas.



.

[JackPurvis]

Should we hold over some of our advertising funds and apply them to a marketing plan in first quarter programs. As far as family activities we should not expect participation Mon.-Fri., but the market should focus on the seniors. Do we need more indoor water parks like at the dells?
Can we market the bus tours during a time with low traffic counts What is the primary draw for bus tours? Is it shows and shopping? If it is, these venues are heated and should have no problems with Jan.-Feb. activities.
Winter may seem cold to us, but our northern neighbors endure sub-zero temps as a norm.
It should also be noted that we are seeing a shift in our visitor profile in that we are seeing a trend for visitation within 300 miles on the rise.
Let's us MAKE it a great day

[Richard&Audrey]

Originally Posted by JackPurvis

Should we hold over some of our advertising funds and apply them to a marketing plan in first quarter programs. As far as family activities we should not expect participation Mon.-Fri., but the market should focus on the seniors. Do we need more indoor water parks like at the dells?
Can we market the bus tours during a time with low traffic counts What is the primary draw for bus tours? Is it shows and shopping? If it is, these venues are heated and should have no problems with Jan.-Feb. activities.
Winter may seem cold to us, but our northern neighbors endure sub-zero temps as a norm.
It should also be noted that we are seeing a shift in our visitor profile in that we are seeing a trend for visitation within 300 miles on the rise.
Let's us MAKE it a great day

Coming in late here but. . .( for reference lets say I am from Chicago)
The Dells do a good business up here in the winter, lots of things to do and if you want, you never have to leave the hotel. That said I think there is more money to be spent within 100 miles of the Dells than a 100 miles of Branson. Just seems like Young families make a lot more money up here.
3 out of 4 of our adult children drive to the Dells at least once per winter sometimes more. But they look for an hour or two maximum travel time for a weekend jaunt. I know because I have sat with two of couples and mentioned Branson In The Winter ! For selfish reasons sad to say . They say its wayyyy toooo far for a 2 or even 3 day trip.
Retirees Shopping and Shows . . you know this is a go but can you expand the time the shows are open or persuade them to even rotate so you have shows 365 But again distance is a prime consideration. I would never ride in a bus from Chicago to Branson with no reason to stop in the middle. Heck that's going to be an 8 to 11 hour ride.
Now as this was a thread about 12 month economies. . . .
Bringing Industry to Branson. . . .what industry? We as a nation have voted with our dollars not to make anything here! Wal mart is the biggest part of that equation and few will admit it. So Be It move on your not getting industry. Technological Corridor . . forget that one as well. That is unless you honestly think the folks at the top 20% of the earning scale, the real movers and shakers in those companies are Bass Fishermen. . .They are looking for, amenities that Branson doesnt have to offer. No insult meant but when we who are surrounded by these centers talk about the Theater we are NOT talking about the Baldknobbers. You need to look elsewhere. One place might be The Federal Government. No not more stupid self defeating hand outs there are enough meth Labs around. Some sort of employment facility, service provider. Another thought is the Transfer station being built out side Kansas City Mo. Its going to be in time the largest truck train transfer hub in the World. What can you get from there how can you attract your slice of that pie. Doesn't have to be direct could be an off shot or the moving of an industry that was there, to the Branson area / tax base.

[onemobetta]

Interesting input, Richard & Audry

We need more of this input from the real thing such as yourself, especially as to motive for travel or no travel.

Thank you

[Richard&Audrey]

I / we, like the Branson TRL area so I wish I had the answer's for you, but I don't. I was, a planning board commissioner for four years, its a tough row to hoe. You need to find honest people to work together and form a plan. Thats almost impossible to do . Seems eveyone has an agenda and its to make money for themselves. Everyone is looking to win the lottory/ free money no work .

[JackPurvis]

Richard & Audrey
Thanks for your input.
You are right about the dells. You don't have to leave the Great Wolf or Kalihari to have fun.Your point is VERY good.
We have a new EMPTY commerce park and economic developement directors office.
I believe that Branson does have something to offer SOME 20%ers. We have a great school system clean environment and 3-5 minute commute to work.We also have a FAMILY friendly environment. We also offer the soft adventure some folks enjoy I.E. bass fIshing,trout fly fishing, hiking,and biking. We are working very hard to offer other shoppping options like Best Buy.Bed Bath and Beyond,Books A Million,Home Depot Kohls and others. I know we are not there yet but we ARE working on it.
Make it a great day

[fritzie]

I believe it is slowly becoming a year round economy with more and more retirees moving to the area,- such as myself.

This gives business to honest and reliable repair- and service business of various kind. The increase in retail business also attract younger employees who live in the area year round with children going to school. They need medical services and more and they will also go out do dine, so more and more restaurants will stay open.

I have also noticed that more and more shows are open during January and February than just a few years ago thanks to Jim Stafford's effort.

Just my 2c worth!

[Professor Piper]

I think we should first address affordable housing for those, etheral, workers who are supposed to fill the mythical positions that are being dreamed about....

You can build whatever you wish: A factory; a huge mega-resort; an indoor water-wonderland; whatever....

If those you wish to staff these marvels have no place to live, AFFORDABLY with our REALLY sub-standard wages, then you can dream all you want....

To really FIX the situation that Branson is in, you must first address the REAL issues...

We don't have enough people to staff the jobs that we have available.....

There, I've given you the 'Starting Point' of the problem....Now, smarter folks than me go fix the situation.

God Bless,

Terry
(Prof. Piper)