Branson's Building Boom

The value of new construction in the Live Entertainment Capital of Branson, Missouri through November 2005 totals $121.5 million, a new one-year record according to city officials.

Projects like Branson Landing, the Branson Convention Center and Hilton convention center hotel, and Branson Hills Plaza have contributed significantly to the record-breaking year.

Branson's a hot ticket right now for new development," said Michael Rankin, the city's economic development director. "And it was the Branson Landing and convention center project that really started it."

The $420 million Branson Landing retail and entertainment development along Lake Taneycomo is scheduled to open next summer, and the convention center and convention center hotel will begin hosting meetings in the summer of 2007.

Read more here.

I know this growth "feels" like good news for Branson folks, but as I look at the economy, and the entertainment sector in particular, I would urge caution in investing in too much capacity too quickly in the convention and visitor sector. Where is the future business and spending power going to come from given the serious declines in many of our driving industry sectors (automotive, aerospace, machinery, finance, others) that generate the real income across the nation?