Branson officials reported that the NAIA D-II Men's Basketball National Tournament has once again helped boost Branson's local economy. The tournament acts as a catalyst for the beginning of Branson's tourism season. Significant increases in Branson sales tax revenue are boosted by the tournament each year. In March of 2001 more than $195,000 was collected from the city's sales tax, it then jumped up 20 percent, to $234,000 in March 2002. March of 2003, 2004 and 2005 continued the same increase with numbers of $257,000, $276,000 and $304,000. The successful NAIA event has been hosted for seven consecutive years at the College of the Ozarks, since starting in 2000. 03/09/2007

Taney County commissioners are trying to slow down the number of Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) development projects within Taney County. Letters are currently being sent to all state legislators as well as all county commissions, for their support to pass stricter guidleines in TIF finacing. Officials say TIF projects drain tax dollars to repay developers for the cost of their own projects. Branson currently has three TIF districts and Hollister has one. The question in regards to a TIF is whether it attracts more new tax dollars than it takes away from county tax revenue, which is usually earmarked for schools. 03/08/2007

This one-owner home has been well maintained and updated. Over 2300 sf, on large lot with fully-fenced backyard and double car attached garage. Great open floor plan, with family room, exercise room, and library. Built-in shelving and wood blind window coverings throughout. Beautiful rock fireplace in living room with wood stove. Lots of decking for entertaining and barbeques. Located in Branson North, Branson's high-demand subdivision, which is close to schools, shopping and hospital. Slideshow: http://www.CharlieGerken.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?listingid=970712 MLS Sheet: http://www.trilakesmls.com/brn/maildoc/a005K17712.html 03/07/2007

An economic forum featuring area realtors and bank officers was held at the College of the Ozarks. Key topics included the planned Branson Regional Airport, which is scheduled to begin construction late this year. The airport will feature a 7,000 ft. runway with regularly scheduled flights. Other hot topics included the new $50 million dollar Sight & Sound Theater scheduled to open next summer and the new Branson Commerce Park. In housing news, the highest percentages of homes selling are those under $175,000 with the biggest demand for those in the Branson School District.    03/07/2007

Brand new all-brick home on one-level with over 2100 sq. feet on 2.63 acres! Choose your colors now. Completed by May 1st, this home will feature hardwood floors, plush carpet and ceramic tile flooring. Fireplace in both living room and master bedroom. Home features 6-inch walls on 16-inch centers built by one of Branson's premier builders. Huntington Green Estates is a beautiful new neighborhood developed in the heart of Branson, featuring minimum, two-acre lots located just 10 minutes from the hospital, downtown Branson Landing and Highway 65. Slideshow: http://www.CharlieGerken.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?listingid=965273 MLS Sheet: http://www.trilakesmls.com/brn/maildoc/a005wr2920.html   03/02/2007

A new mega arena is coming to Branson! Construction plans are currently underway for a custom-built arena to house the "Great American Wild West Show." The Wild West Arena will be built on Gretna Road across from the Branson Mill Craft Mall. The ninety-minute extravaganza will feature award-winning native American dancers, 100 Precision Horsemen, Dare Devil Trick Riders, and tributes paid to heroes of the old west and cowboys of the movies. The Great American Wild West Show is scheduled to open its doors in the spring of 2008. 03/01/2007

The Branson Fire Department won a grant, awarded by the Department of Homeland Security for a $206,000 mobile training tower. The four-story training tower is collapsible and can be transported by semi-tractor to a variety of training sites. The training tower will be used for training local area fire fighters in the use of rappelling, ladder work, aerial operations, and search and rescue training. The tower is scheduled for delivery to the Branson Fire Department this summer. 02/28/2007

College of the Ozarks, for the eighth consecutive year, will host the NAIA D-II National Basketball Tournament, which starts next week. The highly-watched basketball tournament will consist of 31 games held March 7-13. One of the great new features added this year, is the ability for internet users to watch the games online. In addition to those watching the games on the Internet, officials are expecting sold-out crowds for the week-long event. Fortunately for us at Gerken & Associates, we've already purchased tickets for our agents and clients! The tournament provides great exposure to Branson in many ways. Not only does the tournament encourage community involvement and participation, but it serves as the official kick-off to Branson's tourist season. In addition to supporting the sch... 02/28/2007

Skaggs Community Health Center is expanding their services to include a cancer treatment center. Skaggs Cancer Center is expanding upon many of its cancer services already available, such as ambulatory infusions, chemotherapy, outpatient cancer therapy, and medical and surgical oncology. The new $5.5 million cancer center will be 12,000-square-feet and include 10 ambulatory infusion stations, four exam rooms, a laboratory blood drawing area, waiting room, two nurses' stations, physician and staff offices, a CT scan area, and a linear accelerator vault. The new renovated facility is scheduled to be completed by Fall 2007. 02/27/2007

Over the weekend, Gerken & Associates Realtors formed a bowling team and donated $350 to the Big Brothers Big Sisters 7th Annual Bowl For Kids' Sake held at the Millennium Bowling & Entertainment facility in Branson West. In its seventh year serving Stone and Taney counties, BBBSB has served over 200 kids with the expectations of serving 300 kids by the end of 2007. By building relationships with other family-oriented, kid loving organizations, BBBSB continues to strive for the mission of serving kids and their families not only by increasing the numbers served, but by increasing the quality of its programs. 02/26/2007

On June 11th, vintage cars built before 1948 will drive through Branson for the Branson Vintage Rally, a five-day race that will take classic vehicles throughout the back roads of southwest Missouri and at the same time raise money for Autism Awareness. Competing in this event, are 75 teams navigating pre-1948 automobiles that are specially equipped for the demands required in a vintage car rally. The teams are made up of a driver and navigator plus support crews that will travel over 200 miles a day. The race will start and finish each of the five days at the Hilton Promenade Hotel at Branson Landing. Teams will race for over $60,000 in prize money and all proceeds from the rally will go towards the research and treatment of Autism in children. 02/26/2007

The team that plays together stays together! Gerken & Associates Realtors formed a bowling team and donated $350 to the Big Brothers Big Sisters 7th Annual Bowl For Kids' Sake held at the Millennium Bowling & Entertainment facility in Branson West. In its seventh year serving Stone and Taney counties, BBBSB has served over 200 kids with the expectations of serving 300 kids by the end of 2007. By building relationships with other family-oriented, kid loving organizations, BBBSB continues to strive for the mission of serving kids and their families not only by increasing the numbers served, but by increasing the quality of its programs. 02/26/2007

Gerken & Associates is the developer and exclusive listing agent for Huntington Green Estates in Branson, Missouri. Phase 1 of the development is almost completed, with Phase 2 scheduled for early next year. Why not build your own place to stretch out? If you're tired of looking at luxurious homes that are built too close to the neighbors, be sure to check out Huntington Green Estates. Large acreage lots are now available for quality built homes in Huntington Green Estates, a beautiful new neighborhood being developed in the heart of Branson. Nestled in the Ozark Hills, these minimum, two-acre lots are located just 10 minutes from the hospital, downtown Branson Landing and Highway 65. All lots include underground electric utilities and plenty of wildlife. Perfect for walkout basement ho... 02/24/2007

Tired of looking at luxurious homes that are built too close to the neighbors? Why not build your own place to stretch out? Large acreage lots are now available for quality built homes in Huntington Green Estates, a beautiful new neighborhood being developed by Gerken & Associates in the heart of Branson. Nestled in the Ozark Hills, these minimum, two-acre lots are located just 10 minutes from the hospital, downtown Branson Landing and Highway 65. All lots include underground electric utilities and plenty of wildlife. Perfect for walkout basement homes, four homes are already under construction. Come out for a look and choose your home site now at pre-construction prices. All lots are numbered. Out of 19 lots, 8 have sold and 2 are under contract. Virtual Tour: http://www.CharlieGerken.... 02/24/2007

Investment opportunity! Great commercial potential on Fall Creek road near the junction of Highway 165. Over 400 feet of road frontage and zoned for commercial. Property lays very nice. Additional property available next to it, that combined with this one, could be a very promising development. Virtual Tour: http://www.CharlieGerken.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?listingid=880733  MLS Sheet: http://www.trilakesmls.com/brn/maildoc/b005az5223.html 02/24/2007

Gorgeous building! Excellent locally-owned downtown shoe store with great established clientele specializing in the latest womens styles carrying a full spectrum of sizes and widths. Largely referred by other shoe stores that dont stock a wide range of sizes and widths. Special order clientele. Unique clothing, purses and jewelry too. Virtual Tour: http://www.CharlieGerken.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?listingid=880699 MLS Sheet: http://www.trilakesmls.com/brn/maildoc/a005q88086.html  02/24/2007

First MTV, now CBS! The CBS Daytime Drama, "As The World Turns", the Emmy award-winning television show, will tape on location in Branson June 6th, 7th and 8th. The episodes will air in July. In the story, Gwen and Will Munson (Emmy award-winner Jennifer Landon and Jesse Lee Soffer) and their friend Maddie Coleman (Alexandra Chando) will travel to "The Live Music Show Capital of the World" to further Gwen's musical career. Gwen's rival Jade Taylor (Elena Goode) will follow them to Branson to stir up trouble for the trio. In addition to Landon, Soffer, Chando and Goode, 21 production and crew members will travel to Branson to film at various locations. Additional personnel will be hired from the Branson area to assist with the shoot. "As The World Turns" celebrated its 50th anniversary l... 02/24/2007

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt met with a bipartisan panel at the Branson Chamber of Commerce to discuss input from the state Housing Development Commission. Equity in distribution of state funds between urban and rural housing was of primary focus. The meeting held in Branson was the first of three where real estate developers, public service groups, private citizens and homeless advocates are given the opportunity to share experiences and voice concerns for the current state housing programs in place. The goal of the meetings is to improve distribution of tax breaks and eliminating unnecessarily paperwork across the wider range of geographic areas throughout Missouri. 02/22/2007

Branson, Missouri celebrated the grand opening of the new Hilton Promenade in the Branson Landing overlooking Lake Taneycomo. The new 243-room hotel includes an indoor pool, health club, meeting rooms, in-room dining, and the famous Liberty Tavern Restaurant. The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by Hilton corporate staff, local staff, government officials, business leaders, Chamber Ambassadors and included a huge turnout by the public. The award-winning Branson High School Band provided the music. The Liberty Tavern Restaurant on the ground floor celebrated its grand opening with a V.I.P. dinner. Two months earlier, the head chef of the Liberty Tavern chose Gerken & Associates Realtors to help him locate and buy his new Branson home.   02/19/2007

Gerken & Associates Realtors attended and helped sponsor the 60th Branson Chamber "Black Tie Dinner", a yearly gathering of community business members. During the event, recognition was paid to Branson's top leaders, including the presentation of the Pioneer, Ambassador, Beautification and Community Spirit Awards. During the event, Charlie Gerken, Broker / Partner of Gerken & Associates Realtors was recognized for his continuing role and service as a Branson Chamber Ambassador. 02/17/2007