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Weekly Update
05/09/08
OUR MAIN MAN...this past Sunday, that other newspaper down in OKC that carries the state's name in it's title ran an interview with Greg Main, the President of I2e. I2e is one of the state's innovation leader in that it helps companies doing new economy things become successful, and more or less tries to drag the state's economy into the 21st Century. Main came to Oklahoma from Michigan where he spent twenty years in economic development and saw what a one horse, or rather one industry state can do to an economy. He was a former head of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, is well respected and considered one of the state's truly forward thinkers. So, why do we mention this? Because in said article by said newspaper, Main was asked what, in his opinion, would be the state's growth industry in the future? He generally mentioned nanotech as a driver, rather than an industry, and then very specifically said, "I think we are going to see some more growth spurred by the sensor testing lab that is going in at Ponca City. I think that will generate some further spinoffs and will see more activity there." He also noted the promise of bioscience. For the record, PCDA did not slip Main a fiver or anything else to say this. It is interesting that the head of the state's lead agency on working with new economy business specifically mentioned only one place, and one business by name. You can file this under bragging...but it ain't bragging if its true.
OK ROCKS...Forbes magazine this week named OKC as the best city in which to ride out the recession, slowdown, whatever. Mind you, Forbes only ranked cities, they didn't look at smaller communities, but it turns a positive spotlight on the Sooner state. JMP Securities, this week also named Ponca City's Host Analytics as one of their "Hot 100" best software firms. Couple this with Greg Main's comments and its not a bad time to be in Ponca City America.
SPRINGING IN APRIL...the weather may not be quite sure that it's Spring but activity at PCDA continues to bloom, (Okay...you come up with a different metaphor each month!). In April, PCDA staff had 17 significant contacts/meetings, etc. with new companies, 19 with existing companies, six with consultants, 10 with our regional partners and 29 with our friends in government. PCDA currently has 16 projects open with a total potential job count of 572 positions. We also have one lead open that we're trying to turn into a project.
IF YOU BUILD IT...we told you last week that Continental Technologies had their temporary occupancy permit from the city and was now operating in the building formerly known as Bob. So now the fun part begins and, thus, PCDA has been working diligently on designing the specifications for the completion of Bob. Tim, "I gotta build it cause they're already here," Burg spent this week sanding down those specifications, meeting with the company and writing his little heart out to get those ready. When ready, they will go to public bid and that will likely happen in the next 60 days, (hopefully sooner, rather than later).
UPCOMING...
Wed.-Fri. May 14-16th: New York Call Trip, sponsored by the Guv.'s ED Team and ODOC
Sun-Wed. May 18-21st: ICSC Retail trade show (Recruitment) with the Chamber
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