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Missouri recreational equipment manufacturer to expand and create 82 new jobs

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A southwest Missouri company called PlayPower is creating 82 new positions and investing more than $2 million to expand its site in Monett by 15,000 square feet. Gov. Mike Parson’s Office tells Missourinet the company is also expanding the location to make it PlayPower’s North American Center of Excellence.

Missouri recreational equipment manufacturer to expand and create 82 new jobs

The company has other locations in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Indiana, Texas, Mexico, England, Scotland, Poland and Sweden.

PlayPower is an international manufacturer of outdoor recreational items, including commercial playground equipment, boat docks and personal watercraft.

A press release from Parson’s office says PlayPower is using the Missouri Works program, an incentive tool to help companies expand and retain workers by providing access to capital through withholdings or tax credits for job creation. In addition, PlayPower is partnering with Missouri One Start, a division of the Department of Economic Development, to provide training and recruitment assistance that is tailored to meet the specific workforce needs of the company.

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Severe storms/hail possible Saturday in southern Missouri’s Springfield, Joplin and West Plains (AUDIO)

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The National Weather Service (NWS) says some strong to severe storms are possible Saturday afternoon and evening across southwest and south-central Missouri.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield says strong to severe storms are possible Saturday afternoon and evening across southwest and south-central Missouri (November 13, 2020 map courtesy of NWS Springfield Twitter)

NWS Springfield meteorologist Cory Rothstein describes it as a conditional risk, depending on what happens with showers earlier on Saturday afternoon.

“If those showers do clear up by the early to mid-afternoon hours, we could see the potential for some severe weather, at least on a scattered basis during the afternoon and evening,” Rothstein says.

He says residents in Joplin, Springfield, Branson, Carthage, Marshfield, Ava and West Plains could see damaging wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour on Saturday. Rothstein cannot rule out a tornado threat, but says it will be limited in nature.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) says there’s a slight risk of severe weather Saturday afternoon and evening across the Ozarks. The NWS says quarter-sized hail will be possible with a few of the stronger storms.

“The main threat for these damaging winds, quarter-sized hail, would be primarily during about the 4 pm into the evening rush hour (on Saturday) and maybe lingering into about the 8 to 10 o’clock timeframe as it moves southeast across portions of southwest Missouri,” says Rothstein.

He’s also urging you to have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s interview with National Weather Service (NWS) Springfield meteorologist Cory Rothstein, which was recorded on November 13, 2020:

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Popular Gateway Arch National Park reopens with safety guidelines

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Gateway Arch National Park began Phase II of reopening on Tuesday, September 1. This includes the enclosed tram ride to the viewing space at the top of the 630 foot monument. Reservations and tickets are required for access to the visitor center and museum.

Visitors to the Gateway Arch, walk around the outside before entering for a ride to the top in St. Louis on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. Trips to the top of the 630 foot monument have resumed, since closing in March due to the coronavirus. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Park Superintendent Mike Ward said, “The Tram Ride to the Top is a unique experience most of our visitors are looking for, but while we are still responding to the coronavirus pandemic, it has required many changes to ensure visitor and employee safety. We will start with very limited availability to assess operations and make any additional modifications so that we can continue increasing the number of people who can go to the top of the Arch each day as we enter into Phase II of reopening the park.”

The National Park service delayed Phase II access scheduled for July 8 because of Missouri’s increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases.

 

President signs Blunt-backed bill to help spruce up national park system

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President Donald Trump has signed into law today a landmark bill designed to give the national park system billions of dollars over five years to reduce a maintenance backlog. It provides $900 million annually in oil and gas revenues for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which protects historical and environmentally-significant sites. The measure will help the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, among others.

Missouri U.S. Senator Roy Blunt

The bipartisan plan is also reportedly expected to create an additional 100,000 direct and indirect jobs.

It has been heralded as the most significant conservation bill in a generation. U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, says the legislation, dubbed the Great American Outdoors Act, will help to make the second century of the park system different from the first century.

“The park system, as we now know it, is a little more than a hundred years old. Some of these maintenance issues are decades old, maybe 50 years old, maybe half of the life of the entire park service,” Blunt says on the U.S. Senate floor.

The package will provide permanent aid for the Land and Wildlife Conservation Fund. Blunt says the fund has benefited the Mark Twain National Forest, the Ozark National Scenic River, the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in mid Missouri’s Rocheport, and Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield near southwest Missouri’s Republic.

Blunt, who co-sponsored the plan, says the funding will help to bolster Missouri’s outdoor recreation industry.

“The Outdoor Recreation Industry Association says that we generate about almost $15 billion in our state in consumer spending, about 133,000 jobs are created in Missouri because of outdoor recreation,” says Blunt. “This is obviously not a normal year. So, anything we can do to encourage people to use these facilities in a better way is important.”

In celebration of the legislation becoming law, U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt announced that tomorrow will be a fee free day at national parks and other public lands. Beginning next year, fee free day will be August. 4.

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August 10th groundbreaking set for major Bicentennial bridge project in Jefferson City

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A well-known Jefferson City family is donating $75,000 to a bridge project that will link the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City to the riverfront. It’s a project that’s been discussed in Jefferson City for more than 25 years.

This is an artist’s rendering of part of the planned $3.75 million Bicentennial bridge project in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of bicentennialbridge.org

The Naught family from Naught-Naught Insurance Agency made the contribution.

Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin tells Missourinet that a groundbreaking ceremony for the $3.75 million project is set for Monday August 10 at 8:30 a.m. It will take place at the State Capitol.

Mayor Tergin describes the project as a “game changer,” as well as an amazing legacy gift for Missouri’s Bicentennial in 2021. She has said it’s the most exciting news that that’s ever announced as mayor.

The project will provide a pedestrian and bike linkage from the Capitol to the Missouri River, an area known as Adrian’s Island. Tom Naught says the Bicentennial bridge will enhance the Capitol grounds, and will bring more tourists to Jefferson City. The 12-foot wide pedestrian and bicycle bridge will connect the Capitol complex to a 30-acre parkland located north of the Union Pacific Railroad.

The island will have trails that allow visitors to hike through the wooded area. Click here to view artist renderings of the project, and also a video.

“The entrance to the bridge will honor our veterans and when the Naught family learned of this, they knew they wanted to be a part of it. Thank you to the Naught’s for having a place in your heart for the Bicentennial Bridge and for veterans, and we deeply appreciate your support of this project,” Mayor Tergin says, in a statement.

Mayor Tergin tells Missourinet that she expects construction to begin in late summer or this fall, and for clearing work to begin in September. The project is expected to be done in August 2021. The mayor says the 830-feet bridge will span over railroad tracks.

Bridge supporters note more than 400,000 people visit the Missouri Capitol Complex annually, and that there’s no current way to access the riverfront without crossing Union Pacific’s railroad tracks.

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Southern Missouri company expansion to include 130 new jobs

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Armstrong World Industries in southern Missouri’s Marshfield is expanding – bringing another 130 jobs to the area next year. The wall and ceiling maker is investing about $8 million to expand its manufacturing, warehouse and office space by 50,000 square feet.

During a groundbreaking event yesterday, Armstrong ACGI Plant Manager David San Paolo said the company is seeing a demand for the warmth and refinement aesthetic available in its wood ceilings.

A state press release says the business currently employs about 180 full time workers. When the expansion is completed in early 2021, Armstrong says there will be even more open positions in production, design, project management and procurement.

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Missouri receives $15 million in CARES Act funding to help rebuild tourism industry

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Missouri’s governor announced $15 million in grant funding on Thursday to help rebuild Missouri’s tourism industry, which has been hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Missouri Tourism Director Stephen Foutes briefs Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on July 16, 2020 (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) says Missouri has seen 30,422 confirmed coronavirus cases, along with 1,113 deaths.

State Department of Economic Development (DED) Director Rob Dixon tells Capitol reporters in Jefferson City that the grant funding will help the tourism industry make attractions safer.

“So many Missouri destinations and businesses are working hard to stay open, to support the countless jobs that depend on this industry, while protecting the safety of their workers and their customers,” Dixon says.

Under the program announced Thursday by Governor Mike Parson, $15 million in CARES Act funding will be designated for destination marketing organizations, which are entities that promote Missouri as a place to visit. The money can be used for things such as payroll relief and reimbursement for safety equipment.

State Tourism Director Stephen Foutes says the funding will also provide enhanced safety efforts for events.

“Qualified DMOs can apply to have costs associated with things such as temperature screenings at events or event facilities offset through this program,” says Foutes.

Foutes says conventions are non-existent now in many Missouri communities, because of COVID. Dixon says about 58,000 Missouri food service workers lost their jobs between March and June, because of the pandemic.

Missouri’s tourism industry generated about $14 billion in 2019.

During the media briefing, Missourinet asked Director Dixon about the pandemic’s impact on the vacation town of Branson, which is in southwest Missouri. Dixon says tourism in the Branson area has dropped significantly from COVID-19, in both Stone and Taney counties.

“We’ve seen early on that in particular higher unemployment rates and things like that than the rest of the state, and that kind of follows trends around the world, around the country in particular, of where those effects are seen,” Dixon says.

Before COVID, millions of people visited Branson annually. The town has about 57,000 theater seats, and anglers from across the Midwest fish for bass and crappie on Table Rock Lake.

As for Governor Parson, he praises the grant funding and says this is a great time to support local communities through tourism. DHSS Director Dr. Randall Williams agrees and emphasizes the importance of social distancing, wearing a mask and washing your hands.

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Missouri’s health director doesn’t want to see a repeat of Memorial Day weekend at Lake of the Ozarks

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Missouri’s health director is urging you to wear a mask if needed, if you’re traveling to the popular Lake of the Ozarks this Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams briefs Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on July 2, 2020, as the governor looks on (photo courtesy of Governor Mike Parson’s Flickr page)

State Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams doesn’t want to see a repeat of Memorial Day weekend, where videos of people at packed Lake-area swimming pools made national news. 

“If you’re a young person or anyone and you’re going out, as the governor just said, it is so important to still use hand sanitizer, to social distance and to wear a mask if you need to,” Williams says.

Dr. Williams addressed Capitol reporters Thursday afternoon, during a Jefferson City media briefing. He was joined by Governor Mike Parson.

DHSS posted Friday on its website that Missouri has now seen 22,830 confirmed COVID-19 cases. That is up 547 from Thursday’s number of 22,283. There have now been 1,026 deaths in Missouri from coronavirus.

Thousands of people from across the Midwest are celebrating the Fourth of July weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks. With Friday being a state holiday, some are celebrating a three-day weekend.

“That a situation like we had (during Memorial Day weekend) at Lake of the Ozarks where people are literally right next to each other, even though they’re outside. We really don’t want to duplicate that. We don’t want to lose ground, we’ve worked so hard to get to where we are,” says Williams.

The governor’s next media briefing is set for Monday afternoon at 3 in Jefferson City.

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MoDOT: 110 pedestrians were killed in Missouri in 2019 (AUDIO)

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State transportation officials are conducting a public awareness campaign this week, about the increasing number of pedestrian deaths in Missouri.

MoDOT and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety are conducting a public awareness campaign this week, about pedestrian fatalities (graphic courtesy of the Missouri Department of Transportation)

State Department of Transportation (MoDOT) child passenger and bike pedestrian safety coordinator Tara Van Loo says 110 pedestrians were killed in Missouri in 2019. Another 307 suffered serious injuries.

She says the top contributing factors were failure to yield, alcohol/drug impairment and driver inattention.

“We always want to raise awareness on putting your phone down no matter if you’re walking, riding, bicycling, keeping your head up,” Van Loo says.

Van Loo also urges pedestrians to use crosswalks and to wear bright-colored clothing.

MoDOT and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety say speed plays a key role in preventing pedestrian fatalities.

“If you see pedestrians or somebody on the side of the roadway, it’s best if it’s safe to merge over or at least slow down when you’re passing them,” says Van Loo.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and fewer cars on the road, Missouri traffic fatalities are also up this year. There have been 402 traffic fatalities in Missouri in 2020, compared to 359 at this time last year.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) child passenger and bike pedestrian safety coordinator Tara Van Loo, which was recorded on June 24, 2020:

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Lake of the Ozarks company gets big sales boost since state reopened, crowded pool parties on the news

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The largest vacation rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks was facing potential layoffs around April 30 due to coronavirus restrictions. Since the state reopened in May, the business has done an about face. Russell Burdette with Your Lake Vacation tells Missourinet the phones have been ringing off the hook.

Lake of the Ozarks company gets big sales boost since state reopened, crowded pool parties on the news

“Traditionally, June is not a very busy month compared to July because kids are still getting out of school,” he says. “So usually Memorial Day weekend, we usually fill up maybe 50-60% max. This is the first Memorial Day weekend that we’ve ever sold out in 35 years. And normally this time of year, we would have, out of 100 properties, we’d have at least 20 or 30 sitting there empty.”

The local population is about 5,000. Burdette says over Memorial Day weekend, that figure swelled to about 500,000 people.

He says the company’s customers have been tired of being stuck at home during the pandemic.

“The big three things that we heard that were going to benefit us was that people weren’t going to fly like they did before, they were looking for a drive to destination, they wanted a private home or condominium where they could stay apart from other people and then they wanted a place where they could do things outdoors. We heard that right at the end of April,” he says. “We said ‘Wow. When our state opens up, we are primed to succeed.’”

The company has also experienced a boost in business since international news showing crowded area pool parties over the Memorial Day weekend. Burdette says some people now know the vacation spot exists.

“Even if they don’t come now, they’ve probably marked that they’re going to look at us in the future. Because they’re like ‘Oh, we didn’t know there was a lake that was 100 miles long right smack dab in the middle of the United States and that you can actually rent a home or condo right on the water,’” he says.

Weekends in July are booked but you might be able to snatch up a good deal on a Monday through Thursday rental. August still has some openings.

He expects to blow 2019 sales out of the water within the next month.

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