Branson’s Carnie Tax Credit Attracts Circuses
FairCityNews.com | Aug 11, 2010 | Comments 0
Branson, MO—The City of Branson is starting to reap the benefits of the recent “Carnie” tax credit and designation of the Carnie Enterprise Zone (CEZ) in Taney County. These incentives have allowed businesses to take advantage of city tax credits and deductions not available to businesses elsewhere. Those who have recently benefitted from the CEZ include the New Shanghai Circus, Cirque Montage and Yakov’s Moscow Circus.
The CEZ not only assists businesses located in the zone to lower their operating costs by providing them with tax credits and deductions, they also provide hordes of cabbage to feed the carnies necessary to run the circus attractions.
Huey Redfin, a local carnie, said, “I’ve been an agent for several years and thought this new tax incentive in Branson was the ultimate ‘Key to the Midway’ until I realized that I could actually score some d-rod from unsuspecting marks.”
Due to the success of the CEZ, the City of Branson is currently considering a FEZ or Freak Enterprise Zone to boost tax revenue and spur business growth. “If we can get more circus folk, carnies, whomever to relocate to the Ozarks we will be able to engage in more entertaining ventures,” said a Branson Department of Tourism spokesperson via press release.
“You’d be surprised how many carnies it takes to run a circus, carnival or midway,” said head carnie Louis Yermony, “this incentive is creating new business for an area that needs an economic stimulus.”
Filed Under: Entertainment