REPUBLIC, Mo.-- Some 800 jobs and thousands of paying visitors, that's the idea behind a multi-million dollar development right outside of Republic.
So far, there is no known push-back.
The main draw of this proposed center is equestrian events, but developers say concerts, conventions, car shows, even motor cross are all in the plans as well.
Republic city leaders say the Eclipse Event Center, as it would be called, is sure to be a tourist destination if all goes as planned.
The proposed site is right in between two heavily traveled highways. It's a pristine piece of real estate, and prime property for development.
"It was just no-brainer for me to think these people need to consider the Republic area," said Gail Noggle. She is Republic's Planning and Development Director. Noggle is just one brain vetting a big idea, a 350-million dollar event center. And so far, so good.
"As far as getting people in and out, not disrupting the general populous, we had pretty much everything laying right there for them to consider so we were excited about it from day one," Noggle said.
After push back from this project in northern Christian County, developers set their sights on about 1,000 acres. It's not a lot to see now , but if this event center actually happens, it will host a 15-thousand seat arena for horse shows and music concerts, as well as two other smaller arenas, even a 20-acre man-made lake.
"You're looking at condominiums, you're looking at some water features open to the public, a spa, restaurant, hotels, so it really has a resort atmosphere to it," said Noggle.
"We've got the services out there, the water, the sewer, the transportation is there to service any type of project, even one of this scope," says City Administrator Jim Krischke. He says his selling point is some 800 new jobs that the developer says it will bring.
