Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council

Lake of the Ozarks has experienced tremendous growth and development over the last 20 years and now boasts a population of more than 124,886 permanent residents and a thriving tourism industry. The popularity of the Lake of the Ozarks region is accentuated by its central location in Missouri, and that it is equal distance from the state’s largest population centers of St. Louis and Kansas City. Because of the unique ability to build at the water’s edge and the availability of diverse activities, continued growth and economic development at the Lake of the Ozarks is expected.  Here are a few things we thought you might find interesting from the 2014 Lake of the Ozarks Demographic Profile. Population by Age Many people think of the Lake of the Ozarks as a great place to retire.  While that may be true, you can see there is a large population of the younger demographic here at the Lake as well. Source:  http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml ...

The Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council is here to share information and resources to help you and your business thrive here at the Lake.  In our "Building Business" blog series, which has already featured the Tri-County Lodging Association and the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau , we would like to add the Lake Area Chamber .  Together these organizations are helping to promote business growth here at the Lake. Lake Area Chamber of Commerce The Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is a wonderful private, nonprofit, membership-driven organization comprised of nearly 600 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals. The Lake Area Chamber serves the Lake of the Ozarks community including North Shore, Lake Ozark, Horseshoe Bend, Osage Beach, Kaiser and Linn Creek.  It is one of five chambers that surround the Lake of the Ozarks and is one of the largest in Central Missouri. Mission Th...

A National Public Television series airing in 90% of the Country!  CHICAGO: "Family Travel with Colleen Kelly,” a popular National Public Television series, will feature the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, highlighting the outdoor adventure, water activities, shopping, dining and attractions that make the area a great family vacation destination. The Lake of the Ozarks episode will be part of the show's season two lineup. The show's host, Colleen Kelly, and the crew will spend time throughout the Lake of the Ozarks area July 15-17, shooting segments at Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park and Captain Ron’s Bar and Grill. They also will go fishing, have some fun on the lake with Iguana Watersports, take a flight over the lake with Airlake Aviation, go on an excursion on the Tom Sawyer Paddlewheeler at Bagnell Dam and shop at Blair’s Landing on Main Street. Kelly says the Lake of the Ozarks was an obvious choice for the show and that s...

The business climate at the Lake of the Ozarks is dynamic and growing.  The Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council is here to share information and resources to help you and your business thrive here at the Lake.  In March, we started a series of blogs about great organizations that are helping to promote business growth in the Lake Area.  In addition to the Tri-County Lodging Association that we talked about before, the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau (LOCVB) plays a huge part in our growth! Convention & Visitors Bureau The Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau (LOCVB) was first called the Lake of the Ozarks Improvement Association in 1932.  Over the years, the name was changed to the Lake of the Ozarks Association, and shortened by many as simply, Lake Association.  In the early 1980’s, the official name was changed to Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau. The LOCVB is supp...

The Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council would like to thank all of our current and former members of the United States Armed Forces this Memorial Day weekend.  Memorial day is a solemn occasion as we think of the many men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for our great county. The history of Memorial Day Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country. The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arling...

The Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council is dedicated to providing resources and information for businesses considering moving to the Lake of the Ozarks area. There are a wide range of resources available to help either establish a new business in the state of Missouri, or to make relocating your business easier. Here are some resources that can help (gathered from http://www.business.mo.gov/resources.asp ) Raising Money or Capital for Your Business The Missouri Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) provide comprehensive business counseling, including assistance in finding the right type of funding for your situation. The Missouri SBDC can help prepare you to seek either debt or equity financing to fund your business strategies. They can also help you develop strategies to fund growth without seeking external funding sources. The Missouri Catalog of State Assistance Programs provides detailed information about state grants, loans and assistance pr...

The Lake of the Ozarks has a dynamic and growing business climate.  The Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council would like to share some information in a series of Blogs about some great organizations that are helping to promote business growth in our Lake Area.  These organizations are committed to educating potential new business owners and businesses thinking of relocating to the Lake of the Ozarks about the tremendous potential the lake offers.   The first organization we would like to feature is the Tri-County Lodging Association (TCLA). Tri-County Lodging Association The Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association was formed when a large group of accommodation facility owners were concerned that they didn’t have enough funding to adequately advertise and promote The Lake of the Ozarks. After receiving the proper legislative authority and establishing the Business Districts in each of the Counties, the accommodation facilit...