Local Business Picture is Improving

by Nancy Hogland

Both state and city officials agreed, the Lake area should expect to soon see an improvement in the employment picture. Construction of Ozark Yacht Club’s new showroom on Bagnell Dam Boulevard is a sign of good things to come. Nancy Hogland photo.

 

While much of the nation continues to struggle as a result of the economic downturn, things are starting to pick up in the Lake area.

James R. Dickerson, chairman of the Workforce Investment Board, which oversees eight Career Centers in the 19-county Central Region of the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, said the Camdenton Center had six job openings in late January. One month later, that number had grown to 128.

“And that was just for the Camdenton office. Within a 50 mile radius, we had 422 job openings. The job situation is certainly better than it has been for the past several months,” he said, adding that while the office consistently saw a need for medical positions, recently the job pool was becoming more diverse. “We’re not yet seeing construction jobs, but we expect to see that improve in the near future.”

Dickerson said in addition to the return of tourism-related jobs, a factory in Jefferson City that is adding a whole new line will soon also add 100 employees to their payroll.
“For those that live in the northern half of Camden County and in Miller County, that’s very good news,” he said. “I can definitely say that things are ‘up and coming’ for the area.”

City officials also had good news.

Last month, Osage Beach aldermen approved rezoning that will allow construction of a private corporate retreat consisting of 78 town homes; a clubhouse, administrative office and maintenance building; and recreation facilities. The property, located off Dude Ranch Road between the Bronx and Ledges condominiums, was originally the site of the proposed Diamond Pointe development.

City Planner Carey Patterson said the new property owner, Reinvestment Enterprises, LLC/Dot Foods, Inc., is hoping to begin work on the project as soon as possible. In late February they were in the process of putting together a bid packet.

“We’re not sure yet who will get the construction jobs but they aren’t shutting out local labor so there’s a good chance that some of our workers could be back to work soon,” he said, adding that it was a “given” that Lake-area concrete companies and other suppliers would benefit by the development.

Patterson said the city was also excited that the Veteran’s Administration would be opening a 5,300-square-foot clinic in the Executive Park on the western edge of town.
Nathan Witt, voluntary service officer at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia, said the Lake of the Ozarks Community Based Outpatient Clinic will actually be a relocation of the clinic currently operating in Camdenton.

“Due to the weather we’re not able to provide a date that the clinic will move to this new location.  As you would guess, it has been causing delays in the construction process,” he said, adding that, once opened, services will include primary care and behavioral health with individual, group and tele-psych services via video conferencing. Currently, there are approximately 2,605 veterans utilizing the clinic.
Patterson said in addition to the new building, he’s also talked to several people who are making improvements to some of the vacant buildings and occupied businesses that line Highway 54.

“They’re looking at doing some upgrades and renovations to make them more attractive,” he said, adding that city officials were excited to see several new businesses move into town.

This month, Lazer Force, an indoor, black-lighted laser tag arena, will be opening at 5473 Highway 54. Owner Ron Wilson said hours will be limited to weekends only until summer arrives when the attraction will be open seven days a week.

Other additions include Rejuvenate Mind Body & Soul Hotel Supply, to locate at 4708 Hwy. 54; Lake TV 32, LLC, based at 5032 Hwy. 54; Wake Effects, LLC to be located at 4773 Hwy 54; V. V. Nails in Suite 6 at 3715 Hwy. 54 and Your Way Detailing at 6164 Hwy. 54.

Business in Lake Ozark is looking up as well.

Last month aldermen approved a special use permit that allowed Lake Ozark Helicopter to move its base of operations to the parking lot of Paul’s Supermarket at the corner of Bagnell Dam Boulevard and State Road MM. Under the permit, the company will be allowed to erect a building to house an office, waiting area and also act as a hangar when needed.

Owner Jerry Bice said he began looking for a new location after learning the spot they were leasing could either be sold or taken by the bank and under new ownership, his lease would be void. He said because they were happy with the number of customers that took advantage of the tour service, they hoped to stay in Lake Ozark. The helicopter service plans to be up and running by the start of tourist season.

Building Inspector Charles Misenheimer said crews also have been put to work remodeling and finishing the interior of the Elliott building next to Break Time on Bagnell Dam Boulevard. When completed, the facility will house an upscale furniture store, real estate office and interior design firm.

Just a quarter mile away, Ozark Yacht Club is constructing a 1,100-square-foot showroom and offices to compliment its waterfront location off Flynn Road.
“The biggest project we’ve got going though is Eagle’s Landing, Gary Prewitt’s shopping center, which, we think, will be moving forward this year. That’s the one that’s really going to make a difference not just the city but to the entire area,” Misenheimer said.

Although Alderman Jeff Van Donsel said he couldn’t go into detail, he said he and others on the Bagnell Dam Strip Association (BDSA) were hopeful there soon would be forward movement on the Strip project as well.

“There has been a renewed interest in development and hopefully it pans out. You know what they say – the best time to buy is in an economic downturn. There’s a lot of money out there but the smart ‘players’ are just waiting until the opportune time to make their moves. Hopefully they make them soon in Lake Ozark because that will create numerous jobs,” he said.

Patterson said he and many others were hoping that Judge B.C. Drumm soon would announce that the city of Osage Beach will be allowed to provide developer John Q. Hammons with $3.5 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to build Chateau on the Lake, a European-style, 15-story, 320-room waterfront hotel, 100,000-square-foot convention center and spa slated for 30 acres off Passover Road.

“Once that happens, things will pick up everywhere,” he said, adding that they expected Judge Drumm to announce his decision any day.

The TIF was approved by the board of aldermen more than two years ago. However, soon after passage, attorney John Curran filed a lawsuit on behalf of Four Seasons Marina Rentals Inc. and Four Seasons Lakesites Inc. challenging the “blighted” designation given to the land. After numerous delays, the case finally made it to the Camden County Circuit Court Monday, Dec. 16. Proceedings wrapped up Thursday, Dec. 19.