go ponca

Weekly Update

09/04/09

FALLING INTO FALL...with the glorious weather we've had in Ponca City this week, many are speculating that we've hit fall early. PCDA dunno. Many national prognosticators, however, are saying that the economy is beginning to tick up and that the fall will see the giant economic flywheel start back in the right direction. There is very little doubt that the U.S. will be pronounced "recession free" at the end of September since the summer quarter followed one of the most painful economic quarters in memory, (so any growth would technically at least, pull the nation out of recession). That does not mean instant job growth, quite the contrary as unemployment is projected to continue rising (more slowly) for a while. For Ponca City, as a manufacturing community, we rely upon economies elsewhere to start growing again and start placing new orders since we "export" our products there. We also need natural gas prices to start rising since a number of our companies rely heavily upon that.

LAST WEEK OF SUMMER DOINS...with Labor Day this weekend, the last functional week of summer saw PCDA engaged in a number of activities. We met with the realtors on Monday, (see story below). We had one site visit this week and sent follow-up information to three others. We listened to the rumors. We met with seven local companies, three about growth opportunities and four about stay-the-course issues. We prepared for three marketing blitzes coming up in the fall, (the one that hasn't started yet) completed and/or worked on two major property issues and continued the work on the West Ranch Industrial Park.

REALTORS LUNCHEON...every year, PCDA gets together with our friends in the real estate community to discuss several issues. Last Monday, those things included the upcoming census campaign and a briefing on the property listings on www.goponca.com. Unbeknownst to a lot of people, populating data bases with property listings, the ones that the company owner in Maine looks at after he closes his shop at 10 pm and can then start thinking about that Mid Continent location he needs, does not just automatically happen. Someone needs to put that information there or to let PCDA know about it. Ergo, our real estate partners. It is also helpful to keep them in the loop on the economic goings-on, (even when we can't say much) since they are the front door of the community to many businesses and new residents.

PCDA BOARD TO MEET...look, we're friends so we can tell you honestly that next week's meeting of the PCDA Trustees is not going to have a lot on the agenda. The last few meetings have been very busy and we handled a lot of business. Frankly, the interesting stuff next week is going to be behind closed doors as we work through a couple of important projects that are at that delicate stage. Don't get us wrong, we'd love to have you join us for the short public portion beginning at 7:30 am, but even the reality shows are giving us a pass this month.

UPCOMING...

Fri. Sept 4th: Po High Wildcats open their home football season at home. Go Cats!

Thur. Sept. 10th: PCDA Trustees Board Meeting; 7:30 am, Chamber Board Room.

 Mon-Wed. Sept. 14th-16th: NASVF Conference, Oklahoma City

 

Ponca City Development Authority. 102 S. Fifth Street, Ste. 3, Ponca City, OK 74601

580.765.7070/580.765.0969-fax, email dmyers@goponca.com, www.goponca.com