Latest news with #MissouriDivisionofTourism
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
Taking a Missouri road trip this summer? Check out these 13 sensory-friendly attractions
Trekking around Missouri this summer? Planning travel can be exhausting before you ever hit the road — especially for families with members that have sensory needs. Thankfully, the Missouri Division of Tourism has highlighted a number of sites around the state that offer accommodations and welcoming spaces. Here are just 13 sensory-friendly stops, though there are many more scattered throughout Missouri. Check with venues and landmarks on the way to your preferred destination to see what they offer. Kansas City Currents matches: The National Women's Soccer League squad offers two sensory rooms at its CPKC Stadium as well as sensory kits for fans. Visit to learn more. games: If you're taking in a game at Kauffman Stadium, sensory bags are available with "noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads," according to the team's site. Sensory rooms located on both the first- and third-base sides of the ballpark also offer places of refuge. Learn more at Kansas City Zoo: The zoo offers sensory bags for checkout, which include noise-canceling headphones. They also can provide weighted blankets as needed. Learn more at Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: One of the Midwest's — and the country's — premier art museums, the Nelson-Atkins offers guests fidgets and noise-canceling headphones. The museum also hosts Low Sensory Mornings every other month; the program offers a chance to tour the museum an hour before it opens to the public. Visit for more details. Science City at Union Station: The Science City portion of Union Station offers Sensory Sunday events. Visit to check on times and availability. Head over to the Visit KC website for more sensory-friendly options: The Magic House: One of the city's beloved children's museums offers visitors a Calming Corner with "a variety of serene activities" and a "calming 6-foot bubble tube." Visit to learn more. games: Busch Stadium includes a sensory room with space for one to two families at a time, according to the team's website. Learn more at St. Louis City SC matches: The Major League Soccer club has a sensory room at Energizer Park, offers sensory bags and weighted lap pads. Learn more at St. Louis Zoo: The zoo offers sensory bags, posts signage near potentially over-stimulating areas and, in turn, makes note of quieter areas. Visit to learn more. Last year, St. Louis magazine writers compiled a list of play areas around the metroplex, including sensory-friendly ones. Check out that list, recommended by the Division of Tourism, at Alamo Drafthouse: Looking to take in a movie on your summer vacation? The theater offers its Alamo For All screenings; "the room lights stay on, the sound is turned down, and talking and moving around are permitted during the movie," according to My World ABA, an autism resource in southwest Missouri. Visit the Springfield Drafthouse site to find screenings. Urban Air: The indoor trampoline park offers monthly sensory-friendly play days with "no flashing lights, loud noises, or whistles," My World ABA notes. Visit for details. Silver Dollar City: The famed Ozarks theme park includes two family calming spaces, My World ABA notes. The rooms "include comforting colors, soft seating, low lighting, books, sensory toys and a crash pad for rest, rolling or jumping," according to the park. Visit to learn more. Ripley's Believe It or Not: The strange-but-true interactive museum is classified a certified autism center, My World ABA said, which means "80% or more of its staff has received training in assisting individuals who are autistic." Visit to learn more. Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@ He's on Twitter/X @aarikdanielsen. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: 13 of Missouri's sensory-friendly attractions for summer vacation
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tourism in Southwest Missouri generates $485 million, supports thousands of jobs
Tourism in Jasper, Newton, Barton and McDonald counties generated $485 million last year in revenue and supports thousands of jobs. During National Travel and Tourism Week, which begins Sunday, the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, also called Visit Joplin, will observe the power of travel. 'Along the Route 66 Tri-State Corridor alone, the travel and tourism industry contributes to the regional economy, supporting local businesses while fostering long-term growth,' Patrick Tuttle, director of Visit Joplin, said in a statement. 'In 2024, over 1,700 guests signed the visitors log in our Route 66 visitor center, with more than 1,100 of them being guests from 45 different countries.' He said that the Missouri Division of Tourism's most recent annual report for fiscal 2024 shows that the four counties around Joplin provided 8,656 tourism-related jobs. According to the report: • Barton County, with 365 tourism jobs, generated $15.4 million. • McDonald County, with 374 tourism jobs, generated $17 million. • Newton County, with 2,271 tourism jobs, generated $138.5 million. • Jasper County, with 5,646 jobs, generated $314.5 million. Since 1983, National Travel and Tourism Week has brought attention to the travel industry's contribution to U.S. economic strength, community vitality and quality of life. In 2024, the national travel industry generated $2.9 trillion in economic output, supported more than 15 million jobs, and produced $190 billion in tax revenue, equivalent to $1,490 per household, according to the U.S. travel industry. The region has a number of tourism attractions. Route 66, also called the Mother Road and America's Main Street, traverses through Joplin, and a new mural was unveiled recently in the Route 66 Mural Park in downtown Joplin across from City Hall. Titled 'Route 66 Tri-State Corridor,' it highlights 21 Route 66 landmarks in the region. Joplin also sits next to the historic Jefferson Highway, which ran from Winnipeg, Canada, to New Orleans. Dedicated in 1916 and named for President Thomas Jefferson, it was inspired by the east–west Lincoln Highway and was nicknamed the 'Palm to Pine Highway' for the varying types of trees found at each end. Another attraction found in Joplin is Grand Falls, the largest continuously flowing waterfall in Missouri. In the Diamond area, about 16 miles east of Joplin, George Washington Carver National Monument is managed by the National Park Service. It commemorates the life and contributions of the former enslaved person who became the nation's foremost agricultural scientist. Another federal attraction in Newton County is the Neosho National Fish Hatchery. The hatchery raises rainbow trout as well as pallid sturgeon and Topeka shiners for restoration efforts. Additionally, log perch and freshwater drum are raised to serve as hosts for freshwater mussel restoration efforts. In addition to these species, visitors to Neosho National Fish Hatchery can see a variety of local birds and small mammals. Lamar, in Barton County, is the birthplace of former President Harry Truman, and his childhood home is a state historic site. Lamar also has a monument in honor of frontier lawman Wyatt Earp, who once lived in that area. McDonald County is frequented by those who like to fish, and float and is the home of one state park. The county seat also offers its story of Jesse James and the county's historical secession from the state of Missouri.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House passes bill that could bring bigger film productions to Missouri
MISSOURI — The Missouri House voted 'Do Pass' on a new bill Tuesday that could increase the tax credit available for film and series productions in the state. According to House Bill 1499, the bill would combine the tax credit available for TV projects and movies each year. Missouri began offering a tax credit for movie and TV productions in 2023, which offered $8 million for film and, separately, another $8 million for series productions. If passed, the bill would combine the two tax credit pots, attracting bigger productions to the Show-Me State. St. Louis Blues clinch spot in 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs In August 2023, Missouri introduced the Show MO Act, which ended a decade-long lapse since Missouri's previous tax credit program, which expired in 2013. According to the Missouri Division of Tourism, more than 40 projects have been approved since the launch of the tax incentives, with many more expected in the upcoming years. To qualify for the tax credit, production companies must first apply with the state and prove financial support for their project, then undergo an independent audit to verify spending. Afterward, the state will conduct an additional audit to ensure funds were accurately used and the production fulfilled its commitments after filming takes place in Missouri. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What's new and what's next for Missouri's film industry?
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Nearly a year and a half since Missouri's new tax credit program took effect to attract more filmmakers, the state's film industry appears to be gaining momentum. In August 2023, Missouri reintroduced a tax incentives program for film and TV production through the Show MO Act, aiming to bring more film productions to the state and encourage productions based on Missouri settings to actually film in the state. This ended a decade-long lapse since Missouri's previous tax credit program expired in 2013. The gap led to Missouri missing out on some major opportunities, including Netflix's hit series 'Ozark,' which is based on the Missouri Ozarks but was primarily filmed in Georgia due to competitive tax incentives. According to the Missouri Division of Tourism, more than 40 projects have been approved since the launch of the tax incentives, with many more expected in the upcoming years. And the tax incentives aim to do more than just attract filmmakers. They could help create opportunities for local talent and boost businesses that support the industry, such as those involved with cameras, equipment, trailer rentals and professional training services. So what's new and what's next for Missouri's film industry? Katie Blake, a public relations specialist for the Missouri Division of Tourism, speaking on behalf of the Missouri Film Office, recently shared some updates with FOX 2. QUESTION: How are things looking broadly for getting films produced in Missouri since the tax credit law passed in 2023? ANSWER: 'Missouri has definitely seen a marked increase in film and television production since the tax credit passed, and we have heard good things from producers about their experiences in Missouri. In fact, we have already had producers come back for a second project in the short time the incentive has existed because they enjoyed filming in Missouri so much.' 'The incentive also allows us to compete for larger budgeted projects. We had several over $1 million budgeted projects last year. That was not the case before the incentive.' QUESTION: What should people expect with Missouri and the film industry in 2025? ANSWER: 'You can expect more feature and television production in the state of Missouri. In 2024, the Missouri Film Office approved 39 projects for the Motion Media Production Tax Incentive Program, and we expect to meet or exceed that again this year.' 'There have already been four applications submitted to the Film Office in January. Two films and one series produced in Missouri in 2024 have already premiered: Hallmark's 'Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,' Lifetime's 'Girl in the Garage' and Max's 'Second Chance Stage.' 'We do expect more releases this year and will share information on specific titles and releases when we receive them.' QUESTION: HBO recently announced a limited-edition series called 'DTF St. Louis' starring Jason Bateman, though production is reportedly set in Georgia. What does this mean for the Missouri filming industry? ANSWER: 'We have been in contact with the production, and are aware that they plan to film in Georgia. However, we do know that there will be many projects filming in the St. Louis area as well as around the state. We believe that the Missouri film industry will stay busy regardless of where that particular production films.' QUESTION: What more can be done to promote Missouri as an appealing destination for filmmakers? ANSWER: 'Our mission is to market Missouri as a premier destination for filmmaking and to uplift our local film industry. We do that through strategic marketing partnerships with industry publications, in-person marketing events at conferences, film marketplaces and film festivals, and working directly with studios and producers to bring more films to the state.' The Show MO Act authorizes the following tax credit incentives for filmmakers: 20 percent tax credit for all qualifying film productions An additional 5 percent tax credit if more than 50 percent of the production is filmed in Missouri An additional 5 percent tax credit if at least 15 percent of the production is filmed in a rural or blighted area An additional 5 percent tax credit if a certain number of Missouri residents are hired onto these productions An additional 5 percent tax credit if the production depicts the state or region in a positive light The Missouri Film Office cannot authorize more than $16 million in tax credits for a project in any given tax year. To qualify, production companies must first apply with the state and demonstrate they have secure financing for their project. Once approved, and after filming takes place in Missouri, they must undergo an independent audit from a Missouri-license CPA to verify spending. After that, the state conducts a secondary audit to ensure that funds were used appropriately and the production fulfilled its commitments. From there, if all other procedures are verified, the state issues the approved tax credits to the production company. This tax incentive program runs through Dec. 31, 2030, though Missouri lawmakers will have an opportunity to reauthorize it prior to then. With growing interest from filmmakers, Missouri's film industry appears poised for growth through the tax credit program. Time will tell how much more Missouri can make a name for itself in Hollywood. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
