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PCDA Receives International Recognition

12/12/07

PCDA Receives Recognition From
International Economic Development Council

STILLWATER - An Oklahoma State University partnership has resulted in national recognition for the Ponca City Development Authority.

The International Economic Development Council recognized the PCDA for the University Multispectral Laboratories and its partnership with Oklahoma State University, ConocoPhillips and the State of Oklahoma.

IEDC presented its Partnership of the Year award to the Ponca City entity at the IEDC's annual conference in Phoenix, Sept. 16-19.

IEDC Chairman Ronnie L. Bryant says the award serves as a salute to pacesetting organizations like PCDA for leading the charge in economic development efforts that play a vital role in building the nation's economy one locality at a time.

Competing in a category of organizations serving areas with populations less than 50,000, PCDA clearly stood out. Stephen W.S. McKeever, OSU vice president for research and technology transfer, says the vision to establish a national testing and evaluation center for sensors and sensor research was realized because of the partnership with the PCDA, ConocoPhillips and the State of Oklahoma.

According to McKeever, "It is an excellent example of an economic development initiative involving local, state, federal and private sector partners. This high technology project is already generating new, quality jobs for Oklahoma and Oklahomans."

The UML is located in a 70,000 square foot building donated by ConocoPhillips. A satellite facility exists near the OSU campus in Stillwater.

The PCDA invested $2 million in the project with a $2 million match from ConocoPhillips and the State of Oklahoma. PCDA is a public trust that works with entrepreneurs, the university, businesses and workforce providers to ensure that the economic opportunities of tomorrow are fully realized.

The IEDC is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to provide leadership and excellence in economic development for communities, members and partners. IEDC's professional economic development awards recognize excellence in the economic development profession.

Oklahoma State University - an active $100M+ research university located in Stillwater - is home to researchers working in the fields of biotechnology, energy, nanotechnology, sensors and more to develop innovative solutions for application and commercialization in the global marketplace.