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Weekly Update

03/19/10

SETTING THE STANDARD...Yesterday's Journal Record ran a great story about the Ponca City WiFi system, saying, (incorrectly) noting that we had what other cities are seeking....a faster, more accessible broadband system. This type of exposure is very helpful because it proves to the world that you do not give up connectivity to live in a great smaller community like Ponca City. The implication of the story was that Ponca City had out-googled Google, noting that Ponca City had the fastest wireless system in the U.S.

THIS WEEK...PCDA was not on spring break this week, sending off proposals to two different companies, one we had developed and another the state had. Our SAGE project completed the first phase of an examination of ground source heat pumps for an existing manufacturer designed to make their plant more efficient and therefore more successful. We also visited with an important local agency about a specific project that we really can't talk about. Work continued with other companies involved with a vital project and PCDA and UML staff prepared for a presentation next week to the feds to expand the UML.

THE WORLDS BEST TECHNOLOGY...was on display in Arlington, Texas and PCDA was there. How do we know it was the best? Because that was the name of the conference and they wouldn't fib to PCDA would they? With a lot of companies and venture capital people on hand, it was a good opportunity for PCDA to suggest that our little piece of heaven could be their little piece of heaven. Small business and innovation are the soups of the day in economic development right now as they are not just driving the market, they are consuming the market. Since there were oddles in Texas this week, so too was PCDA.

COUNT...that's the point....count. If you received your census form this week, as PCDA and so many others did, this is your opportunity to count. You can't make noise if no one knows you're there so take a moment this weekend, fill it out and send it in. Short form takes about ten minutes and, for the first 330 million Americans, return postage is free!

WHAT ABOUT THE BIGGIES??...last week we told you about the pipeline project. They were delayed but have been active this week crossing I's and dotting t's with PCDA. They should begin in May and we'll have the info everyone has been asking for as soon as the I's and t's have been properly dispatched. The Tyson plant continues to be the focus of PCDA. Anyone who has ever bought a house knows how tough that can be and how long that takes. Imagine finding that illusive buyer, akin to finding a mico needle in a haystackasourus). To do so requires dealing with potential owners, their suppliers, buyers, corporate cultures, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh parties, the existing owner, market issues, finance issues, (2010 finance issues, not 2007 finance issues) and the list goes on.

UPCOMING...
 Tue. Mar. 23rd: Oklahoma UAV Conference, Ft. Sill & the UML UAV site, Lawton
 Fri. Mar. 26th: Ponca Politics, City Hall, 11:30 a.m.
 Fri. March 26th: Blackwell New Business and Job Fair; 9 am to 3 pm, Kay Electric

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