Little Branson Illinois

erry County Board Weighs in on 'Little Branson' Development Tuesday, June 19, 2007 12:30 PM CDT PINCKNEYVILLE - Perry County Board Chairman Jim Booker this morning said local leaders need to "take a chance" on the proposed convention resort development targeted by the Toney Watkins Company near Pyramid State Park. "Perry County has suffered through tough economic times for too long," Booker said in a released statement. "We think it's time to take a chance and embrace the prospects of economic development, tourism and a better quality of life for our citizens. We would be foolish if we didn't explore that opportunity, and we would be doing the people of Perry County a disservice if we did not. To put it simply, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Booker emphasized that county leaders have been working with the Toney Watkins Company since 2006 on the proposed project, referred to in company business plans as "The Nexus." Booker compared the site's development concept to that of Disney World, "a one-stop resort area." "While we at the county level have known of this proposal for over a year, we have respected the developers' wishes for secrecy. Our county officials have been in the room and involved in the process at every step," Booker said. "The Toney Watkins Company told us early on that two things would be needed (for project development): an available work force and thousands of acres of land in an accessible location. Right from the start, we told them that two resources that Perry County can provide are available land and an available work force." Booker believes local leaders and the corporation should work together to make the project a reality. "While we have many questions and some concerns, we feel it is certainly in the county's best interest to pursue this project. We don't have all the answers today, and frankly the developers of the Nexus project don't have all the answers yet, either," said Booker. "But by cooperating and working together, we can fully explore the opportunity that has been put before us." Booker said environmental concerns would be addressed with the project's development. Environmental groups including the Sierra Club earlier this month raised concerns that 2,000 acres in Pyramid State Park being targeted by the Toney Watkins Company could endanger several rare bird species. "We respect our environment," Booker said. "As the people who live here, we have a greater stake in our land, water and air than anyone else. We believe that this project can exist in Perry County and in many ways improve upon the land we have now. We can create a better environment from some of the neglected land left behind from years of coal mining." Company representatives say they have been in contact with environmentalists and plan to meet on-site at Pyramid to discuss possible concerns. However, Geri Boyer of the Kaskaskia Engineering Group said on Monday that acreage under consideration for the Pyramid land swap is currently being leased by the state to farmers, which would raise questions about environmentalists' concerns on land use. "That site is right now being leased out to farmers, and those fields are being planted and harvested every year," said Boyer, whose firm has worked with the Toney Watkins Company on the project for about a year now. State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, said in a telephone interview this morning that he also understands the Pyramid acreage is being farmed. "A big part of the 2,000 or so acres that we're targeted to possibly get from Pyramid is basically being farmed," Luechtefeld said, adding that he believes a land swap is still the least attractive route for securing acreage for the site. He believes securing acreage from private land holders would be the best way to go for the company. Overall, the senator said he believes developers should get the chance to construct the convention resort. "There's nothing wrong with at least letting them try to get something done, and as long as it's good for the area, as long as it doesn't cost the area anything," Luechtefeld said. "I do believe it is our job to try to give them a chance to succeed, because if they do succeed, it will greatly benefit the area." Booker emphasized that what's best for Perry County is top priority for local officials. "The people of Perry County and beyond will have a chance to be heard as we move forward," he said. "The Perry County board is here to represent the interests of our citizens. Those are the people who have more at stake than any other group or special interest." --Craig Shrum -- http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.blogspot.com