Recent Economic Development Activites at Lake of the Ozarks

The Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council (LOREDC) promotes a regional approach to marketing the Lake Area. LOREDC consists of communities within a three county region in Central Missouri - Camden, Miller and Morgan. Here are some of the major economic development accomplishments achieved of the region this past year:

Ameren Missouri 


1. In November of 2014, Ameren Missouri's shoreline management operations moved into a new building across from historic Willmore Lodge in Lake Ozark.

  • The new office at 3 Willmore Lane, built on lakefront property owned by Ameren Missouri, houses 10 staff members who manage Lake of the Ozarks shoreline development. 
  • Replacing an office on the west side of Bagnell Dam that was damaged by a storm in June 2013 and ultimately demolished, the new 5,000 sq. foot building meets high energy efficiency standards and is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. 
  • The building's design also is compatible with the historic character of Willmore Lodge. 

2. Ameren Missouri and the Missouri State Highway Patrol promote the use of life jackets. 
  • Children "caught" wearing life jackets are rewarded with T-Shirts. 
  • Ameren Missouri provided Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) troopers with T-Shirts bearing the message, "I got caught wearing my life jacket." Troopers will hand out the T-shirts as a reward to children "caught" wearing their life jackets during the boating season. 
  • Ameren Missouri and the MSHP's Water Patrol Division have conducted similar life jacket safety promotions since 2005. 

3. O'Fallon Renewable Energy Center Generates Solar Power
  • For the first time in company history, solar energy is part of the energy mix being delivered to Ameren Missouri's 1.2 million electric customers. 
  • The O'Fallon Renewable Energy Center, Ameren Missouri's first solar center and the largest investor-owned utility scale solar facility in Missouri, is generating power. 
  • The center features more than 19,000 solar panels covering more than 19 acres and generates nearly six megawatts of electricity to Ameren Missouri's grid. 
  • Groundbreaking on the facility in O'Fallon took place this past April. The facility is one of Ameren Missouri's investments on behalf of customers for cleaner air and renewable energy. 

Camdenton 


1. Issued commercial/residential construction permits totaling over $4.4 million in valuation representing an annual increase of $200,000 from 2014 and $1.9 million from 2013. 

2. New Businesses included: 
  • New 6,000 sq. ft Commercial Shopping Center
  • 16,000 sq. ft VFW Community Center 
  • New 3,000 sq. ft Coffee Shop "Funky Buffalo" 
  • New Sakelaris Auto Show Room and Parking Facility
  • City lease to Herb and Janet Baker of Old City Hall/Butler Buildings for new Wedding Reception Building 
  • City lease of 16,000 sq. ft "Galva Foam" Industrial Building to Fiberglass Tank Solutions at Camdenton Business Park at the Airport 

3. Sales Tax up 5.65% from calendar year 2013 through calendar year 2014. 

4. Additional Economic Development and Community Cooperative Activities: 
  • Authorized an update of the City's COMPREHENSIVE and COMMUNITY CENTER PLAN and selected RDG Planning and Design from Omaha, NE to begin year long process beginning February 2015. 
  • Became active members in the Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments and Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council
  • City/Mid-County Fire District Cooperative Committee established and Mutual Agreement approved that Mid-County Fire District and City to jointly and efficiently provide Fire Marshall and Fire Inspection services to each entity. 

5. Community Events: 
  • 35th Annual Products and Services Show 
  • 64th Annual Dogwood Festival 
  • Christmas on the Square -- Santa arrived on cue
  • 4th Annual City-Wide Garage Sale 
  • 4th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Air Show held at the Camdenton Memorial Airport
  • 7th Annual Young Eagles Days at the Camdenton Memorial Airport 
  • In conjunction with the Camdenton Chamber, participant for a second year in Small Business Saturday. First year helped contribute an 11% increase in November sales tax revenues. 
  • Annual Fire Prevention Awareness Program presented by the Camdenton Fire Department to preschool through 6th grade students at Camdenton RIII and home schooled students. 
  • 4th Year for Managed Archery Deer Hunt Program
  • In cooperation with Allied Waste Corporation, at $5.50 month, the City continues a program recently begun that offers the only voluntary single stream residential recycling program at the Lake. 

6. At the Airport: 
  • Completed the Camdenton Memorial Airport Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan
  • Completed a half million dollar Taxi Lane Reconstruction Project
  • The City changed its Airport Identifier from H21 to OZS and changed the name of the Airport to Camdenton Memorial Lake Regional Airport 
  • Installed Missouri Conservation Weather Device 
  • Completed the Environmental Assessment (EA) for a runway extension to 5,000 feet, which will add 1,000 feet to the runway
  • Began Land Acquisition Program for Extension of Runway 
  • Now Updating Camdenton Business Park Plan at the Airport 

7. Parks and Recreation: 
  • New Park Director/Assistant City Administrator - Mr. Bennett holds a Master of Science Degree in Recreation Administration and comes to Camdenton from the University of Missouri-Columbia where he served 7 years as Senior Associate Director for Recreation Services and Facilities. 
  • Completed the 18 hole at Dragon Ridge Disc Golf Course at the Camdenton City Park 
  • Completed Significant Repairs to the Camdenton Aquatic Center. 

8. Public Works - Streets, Water and Sewer: 
  • Updated new water meter reading software and equipment
  • Replaced the water main on Clint Avenue, Willow Terrace Avenue 
  • Milled and overlaid Clint Avenue, Willow Terrace and part of Layman Avenue 
  • Ultraviolet system updated at Waste Water Treatment Plant
  • Reviewed water and sewer rates and agreed to annual review
  • Developed new Storm Drainage/Developer Street Failure Policy
  • Updated five-year Water and Sewer Capital Improvements Plan 
  • MODOT completing downtown sidewalk project at the Square 
  • Continued with the fall residential leaf collection program. Leaf vacuum equipment was upgraded to further improve the efficiency of the program. 

9. Public Safety: Police and Fire 
  • FEMA announced $11,685 Firefighters Grant (AFG) to Camdenton for 6 sets of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) for bunker and turnout gear. 
  • Purchased 18 new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). 

10. New City Website: www.camdentoncity.com

11. Upgraded audio/visual equipment in City Hall Board Chambers

Camdenton RIII School District 


1. The Camdenton R-III School District continued to perform at a high level in relation to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's accreditation standards. The District earned 93.9% of the accreditation points possible on the MSIP 5 accreditation process. 

2. U.S. News and World Report gave Camdenton High School a bronze medal for excellence in its "Best High Schools in the Nation" list. 

3. The district possesses a strong job placement rate and approximately 70% of the district's graduates continue their education in post-secondary programs. 

4. The district possesses one of the state's lowest tax rates. The Camdenton R-III total tax levy has remained constant for the past 12 years. The district's tax rate is $2.87. The average Missouri school district tax rate is $4.0457. 

5. Construction began on the new elementary school in Osage Beach. Construction also began for a newly expanded and renovated elementary school at Hurricane Deck. The buildings are scheduled to house students in the 2015-2016 school year. 

6. The Lake Career and Technical Center expanded its offerings this year by adding a law enforcement program of study for students. 

Co-Mo Connect Fiber Optics 


1. Fiber to the Home and Business Phase One deployment is completed. 

2. 22,000 home and businesses now have access to Gigabit internet, television and phone including Sunrise Beach, Laurie and Gravois Mills. 

3. Phase 2 construction is underway. 

4. Versailles and Tipton will have complete deployment by August 2015. 

5. Lower Subscriber Costs are returning resources to be spent in our communities. 

6. We are seeing startup opportunities from the available technology now on a regular basis. 

Eldon 


1. The Eldon Model Airport project is replacing the fueling system and expanding the apron. 

2. The City is working with other community groups on the Rock Island Walking Trail Project. 

3. Eldon has great activities planned for 2015. 
  • The July 4th Celebration will be held on July 4th this year. The fireworks display is being sponsored by Citizen's Bank in Eldon. 
  • 2nd Annual Halloween Party in conjunction with Trunk or Treat
  • 2nd annual Hometown Christmas Celebration sponsored by the City of Eldon
  • The Aquatic Center will be ready for the summer enjoyment. 
  • The City now has the Eldon Baseball/Softball League, assists with the Eldon Soccer, Eldon Dolphins, Frisbee Golf and Flag Football. New programs have been created for all age groups. 
4. The Community Development Department has been actively pursuing abatement of many different types of nuisances and out of compliance structures through-out the City. 
  • Building permits: 223
  • 5 new residences 
  • 6 new businesses
  • 15 residential remodels/additions
  • 1 commercial remodel 
  • 7 demolished structures 
  • Nuisances cases: 214 cases, 198 completed. 
5. Dollar Tree is being built. 

6. The Mayor of the City of Eldon is working on several economic development issues. 

7. The expansion of the workforce in the Industrial Park. 

8. Exploring options with other businesses to come to Eldon to fill empty stores and build new stores. 

Eldon Chamber of Commerce 


1. The Chamber participates, contributes and collaborates with: 
  • 4th of July parade 
  • L.E.A.P Community Fair 
  • Miller County Fair's Pageant
  • Missouri Career Center job fair 
  • Community Christmas Celebration 
  • Lake Area Council of Local Government
  • Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council 
  • Lake Chambers
  • City of Eldon
  • Eldon Schools
  • Rock Island Walking Trail 

2. There are many benefits of Eldon Chamber of Commerce membership, some of these benefits are highlighted below: 
  • Networking: The Chamber provides opportunities of networking for community members and businesses through: 
    • monthly 1st Friday Coffee events
    • Annual Chamber Dinner
    • Annual Golf Tournament
    • Annual Christmas Luncheon
    • A new Fall Chamber Networking Social was held in October 2013. 

3. Community Betterment Recognition: The Chamber recently implemented a recognition program to recognize businesses that implemented aesthetic improvements to their business. A photo and recognition is placed in the newspaper for FREE. 

4. Referrals: The Chamber is a referral source for prospective customers and area-wide information. Referrals for inquiries of needed products/services are made to Chamber members daily. 


Eldon School District 


1. In April of 2014, patrons of the district passed a bond issue to build a Tornado Shelter/Early Learning Center and to expand and renovate the Performing Arts Building.

2. College Now is a program available for Eldon High School students who wish to obtain an Associate of Arts Degree from State Fair Community College while attending high school. In May of 2014, we had a student that received her High School diploma and her Associates Degree Diploma.

3. A total of thirteen students from Eldon High School represented Missouri at National Competition in SkillsUSA and FFA. Six students were national winners, three students placed second and four students placed third in the nation.

4. Our students sold over 1,100 shirts to help raise money for a fourth grade student that has brain cancer. Our school is committed to making every child know how much we care and support them.

5. We received a $500,000 grant from Missouri Foundation for Health to improve the Wellness of our students. Some improvements include salad bars at the schools, new playground equipment, after school activities and fitness weeks at the school.


Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau (LOCVB) 


1. LOCVB is a 600+ member organization which has been promoting Lake Area businesses and tourism since 1932. It is funded through the Tri-County Lodging Association hotel tax, membership dues and advertising sales. 

2. Advertising Dollars are pooled to target tourists, local residents, 2nd homeowners and relocators. This past year, $1 million was used to 
  • Promote the Lake of the Ozarks as a vacation destination, publish the Vacation Guide and maintain the CVB website: www.funlake.com
  • Place researched-based media buys in newspapers and magazines, as well as radio and television, in metropolitan areas within an eight-hour driving radius of the Lake (in partnership with the TCLA). 
    • Media examples: Midwest Living, AAA Home and Away, AARP Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens (Central), People (Midwest), USA Weekend (Midwest). 
    • Over $200,000 has been invested in search engine marketing (SEM) creating over a 40% increase to the CVB website. 
    • Target regions: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska. 
  • Pooling our dollars results in over 460 million impressions driving 5 million visitors to the Lake each year. 
  • Conducted an independent study in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Tourism that found the Lake of the Ozarks to be the top destination in the state for water activities, most relaxing, most scenic, best shopping and largest variety of entertainment. 

3. Produced the following publications: 
  • VACATION GUIDE: Circulation 184,000, a beautiful publication with 136 pages showcasing accommodations, attractions, restaurants, shopping, golf courses, marinas and services. 
    • Distributed at 12 Travel, Sports and Boat Shows in a 5 state area, Missouri Tourism Offices, AAA Travel Agencies and Chamber Offices. 
    • This publication is also online at www.funlake.com
  • LAKE LIFE: Circulation 10,000. Publication targeting tourists, visitors, 2nd homeowners and permanent residents. This publication is placed in area hotel rooms. 
  • RESTAURANT GUIDE: Circulation 60,000. Featuring Lake area restaurant menus and promotions. 

4. The CVB website www.FUNLAKE.com launched a new format in April 2014 with many new features, giving Lake area businesses additional exposure and potential visitors several additional tools to better plan a vacation, including the ability to research rates, amenities, location and book guest rooms, condos, campgrounds, RV parks and homes directly on the website. 

Lake Ozark


1. The City completed the 10 inch water main extension project which provides a continuous connection all the way along Bagnell Dam Blvd. These upgrades now allow the city to handle expansion(s) of the existing water system as growth occurs along Bagnell Dam Blvd. The water system improvement has significantly increased the supply of water for fire protection to the existing facilities and improves our ability to meet the needs of development projects along Bagnell Dam Blvd and the strip area in particular.

2. The City is completing the final steps necessary to let a construction contract on our sanitary sewer system and it is our intention to close on the funding and be under contract in 2015 so we can complete phases 2-4 over the next two years. This will bring our system into full compliance with MODNR regulations.

3. The economy in 2014 continued to improve for the City as we had new commercial and residential building projects. We had several new businesses open in 2014 along with 13 new residential units. The total of all new facilities being constructed along with existing facility renovations resulted in our issuing 60 permits (as of December 18, 2014) on $20,882,500 in construction/renovation projects.

4. Community events held in Lake Ozark:

  • Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade 
  • Magic Dragon Car Show
  • 2nd Annual Lake Race - Ozarks Power Boat Races
  • Annual Bikefest Meet & Greet 
  • Annual Great Bagnell Dam Duck Drop
  • Several Friday Night Cruise Nights
  • Annual Holiday Parade 
5. The City continued to experience new development: 
  • Continued growth at Shoppes at Eagles Landing with the opening of the Buffalo Wild Wings new restaurant. 
  • The Bagnell Dam Strip is continuing to change as properties have been renovated or in some cases demolition of structures has occurred. 
  • The opening of the Horseshoe Bend Extension (State Route 242) in late 2011 has provided a significant amount of land in the community for potential future development and we are currently in discussions that may result in new developments in that project area. 
  • An exciting project that started at the end of 2014 is the construction of 64 new housing units in three buildings on South Fishhaven Road. These units will fill a need we have for affordable housing for the residents in our community. 
6. Our City budget performance continued to stabilize in 2014 and we ended our year with revenues in excess of expenditures in all of our major funds. With the new developments that are occurring throughout our Community we are hoping for even better things to happen in 2015. 

Lake Regional Health System


1. As the area's largest employer with nearly 1,100 employees, Lake Regional Health System contributed more than $83 million to the local economy in salaries and employee benefits in fiscal year 2014. 

2. Lake Regional is committed to improving the health of the community served by providing: 
  • Health Education
  • Uncompensated Care 
  • Free Medical Services
  • Health Professions Scholarships
  • Other Donations

3. In FY 2014, these contributions to benefit the community totaled more than $36 million

4. Lake Regional's physician recruitment efforts promote the growth and future development of our community. Additions to Lake Regional Medical Group included: 
  • Providers specializing in cardio-thoracic surgery, gynecology, pediatrics and urology. 
  • Primary care providers who joined clinics in Lake Ozark and Laurie. 

5. Heart care at Lake Regional continues to outperform national guidelines. 
  • In fiscal year 2014, patients experiencing heart attacks were treated 40 minutes faster on average than the national guidelines. 
  • Learn more at www.lakeregional.com/heartcare

6. Lake Regional Family Birth Center began providing Level II nursery service to manage more complicated births, enabling more lake area families to deliver close to home. 

7. Lake Regional Cancer Center earned re-accreditation with gold-level commendation from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. 

Laurie 


1. Have been approved for a community improvement grant in the amount of $79,401 for the installation of sidewalks. 

2. Had another very successful year for the enchanted village of lights exceeded last year's crowd of 14,588 visitors. 

Miller County 


1. Miller County's year has been steady with a slight uptick and the economy in the county seems to be improving. 

2. The development at the Lake is always a plus for our county and this year has shown improvement there. We have the first expiration of a county TIF this year. The Osage National TIF expired in October so in 2015 the county will receive all of the taxes from this project instead of half. The jurisdictions that have a property tax associated with this will realize a big increase to their taxes. 

3. The big bright spot for employment in the county is Johnson Controls in Eldon. They have steadily grown and now provide close to 600 jobs for our area. 

4. LB Manufacturing has hired all year and are a big plus to the County and surrounding area in the South. They are located in Iberia. 

5. A new Dollar General has also been built in Iberia in 2014. 

6. We look forward to the new year and hope it provides another steady year of growth for our county. 

Morgan County R-II School District 


1. The Morgan County R-II School District successfully passed a levy increase of 15 cents in April 2014 for the purposes of constructing a FEMA shelter performing arts center and additional operating expenses. The levy now stands at $2.90; still one of the lowest tax levies in the state. This was the first successful increase for construction in 36 years. 

2. A parking lot expansion was started in November 2014 as the first stage in the FEMA Shelter/performing arts center construction project. 

3. December 2013 the district received notice of receipt of a FEMA grant to build a storm shelter on main campus. Total FEMA funds eligible for the project are $1,816,500. Construction on the building is anticipated to begin Summer 2015. 

4. RFPs have gone out for a storm shelter at South Elementary School with anticipated completion in Spring 2015. 

Osage Beach 


1. Completed commercial construction in 2014 valued at $7,875,799. Number of permits issued increased in FY2014 versus FY2013. Various upgrades and remodels included: 
  • Under Armour
  • Hy-Vee
  • CATO
  • Wal-Mart
  • Lake Regional Medical Center
  • School of the Osage 
  • Sunglass Hut 
  • Stonecrest Mall 
  • Payless Shoes
  • American Eagle Outfitters
  • Church at Osage Hills
  • Includes several new solar energy additions
  • New construction for Sea Doo dealership, Marine Concepts, GNC and Dollar Tree. 

2. Completed residential construction in 2014 totaled $5,668,972.
  •  The number of residential permits issued increased in FY2014 verses FY2013 including: 
    • nearly thirty new duplexes
    • a dozen new homes
    • an increase in home and condo upgrades and remodels

3. The City invested over $2.4 million in capital projects. Major capital expansion included the following: 
  • The Osage Beach City Park flood damage repair was essentially completed; expenditures included infrastructure repair and equipment replacement; final repair items will be finished in FY2015. 
  • The Osage Beach Parkway Sidewalk Improvements Phase III was substantially completed in FY2014, along with numerous road upgrades complete in a joint effort with the Osage Beach Special Road District (OBSRD). 
  • The Water and Sewer Departments completed two out of three scheduled phases of SCADA upgrades (an alert system). 
  • The Water Department has several new water construction projects that added 45 new water customers; the Sewer Department through new sewer construction added 35 new customers. 
  • The Sewer Department completed much needed I & I Improvements to the system as well as sewer upgrades on Mace Road and at various lift and grinder stations throughout the City. 
  • Lee C Fine Airport's large hangar project was substantially completed in FY2014. 
  • Grand Glaize Airport completed several maintenance projects including siding, paint, storage, concrete and roof repairs. 
  • Grand Glaize Airport's land expansion was substantially completed; the Dragon House property was purchased and demolition will be completed in FY2015. 

4. Held the following community events: 
  • 19th Annual Polar Bear Plunge, the 13th Annual Polar Bear Strut, the 8th Annual Super Plunge and Cops on Top (fund raisers for Special Olympics)
  • 17th Annual Waste Oil Recycling Program
  • 16th Annual Special Police Projects Golf Tournament
  • 14th Annual Osage Beach Fall Festival
  • 8th Annual White Goods Recycling Event
  • 6th Annual Citywide Garage Sales
  • 6th Annual Controlled Deer Hunt
  • 5th Annual Jerry Adams Take a Kid Fishing Derby
  • 3rd Annual Young Eagles Fly Event at Grand Glaize Airport
  • 2nd Annual Light Up the Parkway Holiday Light Display
  • 1st Annual Holiday Light Park at the Osage Beach City Park
  • Continued participation in the Shoreline Cleanup in a joint effort with Ameren Missouri
  • Continued the Shop with a Cop program for Holidays
  • Continued the Wall Head Protection Program in addition to plugging numerous abandoned wells

State Fair Community College 


1. Business & Technology Center worked with two area companies (2013-2014)
  • $405,905 in Job Retention Training Project for Johnson Controls, Inc. for retention of 164 jobs. 
  • 44 employees received training 
  • 1518 hours of training delivered

2. Fall 2014 headcount was 458 students, a 7.5% increase over Fall 2013 headcount. 

3. SFCC offered 78 different courses with 117 sections in Fall 2014. In FY2014, the number of credit hours taken by students decreased 6.2% over FY2013 from 8618 to 8114. 

4. Average class size is 12.6. 

5. Enrollment at the site increased 392.5% from the time the site opened in Fall 2005 (93 students) until Fall 2014 (458 students). 

6. Students can earn the following degrees at SFCC-Lake of the Ozarks: 
  • AAS in Building Materials Merchandising
  • AAS in Business Management with emphasis in Management, Marketing or Office Management
  • Computer Information Systems-Programming
  • AAS in Construction Technology
  • AAS in Criminal Justice
  • AAS in General Career Studies
  • Associate of Arts (AA)
  • Professional Certificate in Industrial Technology-Electrical Maintenance
  • AAS in Marine Technology
  • AAS in Network Administration
  • AAS in Paraprofessional Educator
  • Professional Certificate in Pharmacy Technology
  • Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) 

Sunrise Beach 


1. Completion of 13 million dollar addition to the Hurricane Deck Elementary School Aug 2015. 

2. Hwy 5 widening $1.6 million completion by Nov. 2015

3. Completion of 2.6 million sewer Phase I 2015. 

4. Phase III water extension 1.4 million 2015-2016. 

Versailles Area


1. The Farmer's Market was continued by the Versailles Area Chamber of Commerce. It included local farmers and vendors as well as activities for children. The Farmer's Market took place on Friday evenings during the Summer months. 

2. The Chamber of Commerce sponsored:
  • Concert in the Park on June 6, 2014 in Versailles featuring County Road 5 
  • Facebook seminar for businesses on April 10th at Square Deals in Versailles
  • Circus on September 4, 2014
  • Trunk or Treat at the City Park 
  • Christmas on the Square 
  • Easter Egg Hunt at Good Shepherd Nursing Home

3. The Annual Olde Tyme Apple Festival was held on October 4, 2014. It is an award winning festival enjoyed by thousands of people from all over the State of Missouri and beyond. The theme for the 2014 Apple Festival was Jumpin' & Jivin' to the 1940s. 

4. State Fair Community College offered courses at the Morgan County R-II School district for the Fall and Spring semester for local patrons. 

Lake of the Ozarks - Your Strategy for Business Growth


The Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council is here to serve as your liaison for Lake of the Ozarks area. Our goal is to make your site search as easy as possible and to provide you with all the information and resources you need to consider our community during your site search. We can also assist you with most aspects of relocating your business to the Lake of the Ozarks and we encourage you to visit our website or call us at 573-569-7420.





Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Opportunities to get involved in LOREDC in 2023

The Magic Dragon Trails System - What it is and How to Get Involved!

What Happened at the LOREDC April 2018 Meeting?