Branson Mayor's 2026 State of the City Address

BY MAYOR LARRY MILTON

Members of the Board of Aldermen, City Administrator Stepp, City Directors, distinguished guests, and most importantly, the people of Branson. It is an honor to be before you tonight as Mayor of what I truly believe is the most patriotic City in America.

From time to time, history gives us rare moments — moments when we are called to pause and reflect. This year is one of those moments. Across our nation, we will celebrate 250 years of American independence — a milestone that allows us to consider the exceptional journey of our nation.

Two hundred and fifty years of courage.

Two hundred and fifty years of freedom.

Two hundred and fifty years of opportunity, and

Two hundred and fifty years of prosperity

As Americans, I believe we stand firmly on the progress of generations who came before us — men and women who dared to pursue the promise of a better life. They took great risks. They endured profound hardship. And yet, through it all, they remained steadfast in their belief that tomorrow could be brighter than yesterday. They seized the opportunities and freedoms found only in this great nation. That story — of humble beginnings, determination and faith in the future — is not only the story of America…

It is also the story of Branson. Across this country, there are countless cities people may choose to visit. But ours is a community forged by patriotism, strengthened by a genuine love for our neighbors, and driven by a spirit of welcoming. And it is for that reason that Branson stands ready to be the premier place where America gathers to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence. Because in Branson, the American story is not just remembered. It is lived every day.

As I look across this room tonight, I see the very threads that form the fabric of what makes Branson such a special community. Branson is truly unique. We enjoy the charm of small town America, the amenities of a larger city, and the incredible natural beauty of our lakes and the surrounding Ozarks.

Within this room are the leaders, partners and citizens whose dedication quietly, but powerfully, shapes our city. To the business and nonprofit champions who invest in the wellbeing of our residents…To our city staff who work each day to serve this community with professionalism and care…And to our board of aldermen, whose leadership helps guide the course of our city… YOU are the ones who built this moment tonight. Your enduring belief in Branson, your commitment and your tireless work have brought our city to this remarkable point in its own history.

It is my great privilege and honor to be with you all tonight. So please, join me in recognizing — and celebrating — this outstanding community. As America proudly marks a historic milestone, our city achieved two historic landmarks of our own this year: the completion of the new police department headquarters and the Historic Downtown Streetscape Phase 4.

Our new police facility—delivered on time and significantly under budget—gives our officers modern operations, expanded training space and a true forever home designed in their honor. Built to serve for decades, it stands as a powerful testament to our commitment to public safety. In sincere appreciation for the men and women who so bravely serve and protect us.

We have also made meaningful progress in the very heart of our city with the completion of the Downtown Streetscape Project. With the support of our downtown, we delivered this $5 million investment to revitalize Historic Downtown Branson not only under budget, but also one month ahead of schedule. The result is a downtown that is safer, more accessible, and more welcoming for residents and visitors alike. But this effort was never simply about sidewalks, lighting, or utilities, it was about honoring the legacy of our Historic Downtown while refreshing it for the millions of visitors who will walk these streets for the decades to come.

Projects of this scale do not happen overnight. The master plan for our downtown was finalized in 2015. Yet, as we all know, a vision on paper does not become reality on its own. It requires leadership and the courage to act when the moment is right. At City Hall, we took the steps to make the Downtown Streetscape Project a priority after years and years of delay. Construction began in April of 2025. And in just a few months the street and sidewalk work was completed and fully opened.

And today, the results truly speak for themselves. Our revitalized downtown has already become the stage for some remarkable moments—from a stunning and successful Fall Festival to welcoming the national spotlight of the Today Show. It has also served as the backdrop for a Great American Family movie already filmed, with another production from Hallmark slated to begin later this year.

All of this success is exactly what can happen when a community comes together with a shared vision – in partnership with a local government that can produce real results.

This past year, we also took important steps to make city government work better for our residents and businesses through our Red Tape Review Initiative. Our goal was simple…make it easier to work with the City of Branson. After getting feedback from the community, we reviewed sections of city code and updated them to better reflect the needs of our growing community. That included improvements to building permit fee calculations, land disturbance regulations and procedures for addressing dangerous buildings—changes that make our processes clearer, more efficient and easier to navigate.

At the same time, our Planning and Development Department completed a major system refresh of Citizenserve, our building and permitting platform. This update modernized the system, removed outdated processes and streamlined the online permitting experience to make it more user-friendly for residents, contractors and businesses. And we’re continuing to build on that progress. In March, the onboarding of the new City business licensing module went online – removing a previous all manual and paper process to a streamlined fully online experience.

In addition, as mayor, I pushed for the creation and launch of a new online Open Finance Dashboard. Allowing the public to view Branson’s budget, revenues and expenses in real time. Together, these improvements mean less red tape, more transparency and a City of Branson government that works faster and smarter for the people it serves. And as we continue moving at the speed of business, we’re focused on staying responsive, removing obstacles and delivering results.

Speaking of our city’s growth—2025 was a milestone year for Branson. A year that proved what is possible when a community believes in its future and invests in it. In 2025, based on building permit valuation, more than $68 million was invested in development across Branson. To match this pace of development, our Planning Dept. completed over 6,000 inspections in 2025. That level of private investment sends a clear signal: confidence in this city is strong, and the momentum we’re building is real. Branson is open for business.

Our tourism economy is also reaching new heights. As Missouri’s Live Entertainment Capital, our live shows and entertainment – the legacy backbone of Branson – had an incredible year. In 2025, theater tourism tax increased by 22%, while amusement tourism tax collections rose by 9%. These are not small shifts. They represent visitors choosing Branson’s theatres as an important part of their vacations, their celebrations and their memories.

For the first time in Branson’s history, our tourism tax fund surpassed $20 million. And when we look at the bigger financial picture, city revenues increased by 9% compared to 2024, reinforcing that our local economy remains on healthy and active trends. These numbers represent more than dollars. They represent momentum. They represent opportunity. They represent prosperity. And they represent the confidence that residents, visitors and investors all have in the future of our city.

At your City Hall, our Board remained focused in 2025 on a simple, but powerful responsibility: to manage our resources wisely and leverage them boldly — so in 2026 we can make the sustainable investments needed to prepare, support and modernize our city for the future. And the results speak for themselves.

This past September, the Board of Aldermen UNANIMOUSLY approved a $400 million Tax Increment Financing district. Our community embraced this moment and took a major step forward of economic development, one that also considers the development of a municipal indoor sports facility.

This initiative reflects the growing opportunity we have to expand tourism and combat the traditional workforce issues of seasonal employment, unstable year-round income, and added strain on overall community stability. That is why exploring innovative projects like an indoor sports facility are so important. A facility like this would ignite the potential for a year-round, stable economy for Branson, capable of hosting regional and national tournaments— especially during key winter months. This has been talked about in the community for decades.

In other words, this is not just about building a facility. It’s about strengthening and smoothing Branson’s economy, expanding our tourism season and types of visitors.... To creating more consistent employment for the people who call this city home. As we continue to finalize a package of expert data and planning to accomplish this project, we can’t wait to involve the community in this discussion to receive much desired, honest feedback, input and clear direction.

And if the progress of 2025 showed us anything, it’s that pursuing big ideas and reaching for new heights is exactly what our community deserves from its leaders. Speaking of big ideas 2026 is the year of trails. Through developing a new mountain bike park and trail connectivity, our residents and visitors will get to experience the natural beauty of the Ozarks in new ways. We also completed the expansion of our city’s campground, generating revenue we can reinvest into our cherished city parks. This past year, we built on the momentum of the Community Asset Replacement Program, an effort focused on elevating quality of life, to deliver meaningful upgrades across several of our city parks that both residents and visitors can enjoy.

At the same time, infrastructure remains a central priority. Our Public Works Department will continue advancing roadway paving projects across the city, maintaining and improving the streets that residents, businesses and visitors depend on every single day. We are also continuing to make meaningful investments in the neighborhoods that form the very foundation of our community through our Neighborhood Revitalization Program.

The Hiawatha Heights project marks the first step in Branson’s overall $70 million, a citywide initiative designed to renew essential infrastructure and enhance city services for residents. The work is already underway in Hiawatha Heights, where a multimillion-dollar investment is focused on replacing aging water mains, improving water pressure, reducing service disruptions and increasing fire protection. Once the underground work is complete, every public street in the neighborhood will be resurfaced. These improvements represent more than infrastructure—they represent a commitment to investing in the quality of life for families who call these neighborhoods home.

No city succeeds without the people who serve it. Our first responders who protect our community every day; our volunteers, community leaders and citizens who give their time and energy to make Branson better; our business owners and entrepreneurs who invest in this city and create opportunities for others; and our beloved residents, who made the choice to make our city their special place to call home. You all are the reason our city continues to grow and succeed. And tonight, I want to say thank you.

Serving as Mayor of Branson has been one of the greatest honors of my life. This past year has reminded me what strength and resilience truly mean. And that experience—has only strengthened my commitment to serve this community. The encouragement, the prayers, the kindness shown to me and my family this past year have reminded me exactly why this city means so much to so many.

The values that built and have guided this country for 250 years — faith, family and flag — are the same values that live right here in our community. And tonight, as part of this historic celebration of our city’s accomplishments, we are proud to unveil the new City of Branson flag – an initiative led by Alderman Marshall Howden. As it flies across our city in the months and many years ahead, may it serve as a reminder of our deep love for this community, the freedoms we cherish and the responsibility we share to carry those values forward for the generations to come.

As we look ahead, I am filled with confidence in the future of our city. In 2026, we have a lot to look forward to. We have the start of the 76 Improvement Project, our second big air show taking flight, and Historic Downtown Branson is going to be hopping with a national Harley event. Our CVB is working hard to bring even more excitement over the 250th anniversary across our city.

Our community is strong. Our economy is strong. Our leadership is strong.

Together, we have built a city government that people believe in to deliver results, a business community that continues to grow and succeed, and a future that is brighter than ever before. If we continue to serve with purpose and stand together as one community, I truly believe there is no limit to what Branson can achieve. 

I hope you leave tonight inspired by the belief that the very best days of this great city are still ahead. 

And I believe that with all my heart, as your mayor. Thank you, God bless you and God bless the City of Branson.