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Weekly Update

08/22/08

JULY ACTIVITY REPORT...we told you two weeks ago about the election in July but we didn't completely tell you about what PCDA was really up to last month. According to a report prepared by, well, us, in July PCDA staff members had 11 contacts with new companies, 30 with existing Ponca City area companies, (not counting the lemonades at Starbucks), eight significant contacts with consultants, nine with our regional partners and 17 with our friends from the government (plural noun). PCDA currently has 16 active projects, (two are about to close as unsuccessful...it happens) and two leads for a total of 528 jobs.

SUCKING UPANNOUNCING NEW PCDA TRUSTEES...Yesterday's meeting of the PCDA Board of Trustees was the first for newly minted Trustees Jodi Cline of Edward Jones and Larry Murphy of Larry Murphy Insurance. Both Trustees were appointed by hizzoner Mayor Nicholson and the City Commission Monday night. They replace Jim Leach and Chuck Van Cleave who both termed out from the PCDA board this Summer. PCDA thanks Jim and Chuck for their service to the community and welcomes Jodi and Larry to the board.

MONEY...contrary to popular mythology, there are very, very few programs that provide grants to businesses to help them get started. The Small Business Innovation Research Program or SBIR for short, is one of those few. The program provides federal grants in three phases to small businesses to help them do new and innovative things. There is an application process worthy of the federal government so to help you cut through this maze, Pioneer Technology Center and PCDA are holding a workshop on SBIR on Wednesday, September 3rd from 9 to noon at Pioneer Tech. For more information, call Teresa Smith at 580.718.4261.

GOVINATOR HAS TEAM-DID MEET-NO GOVINATOR...the State of Oklahoma has a Governor's Economic Development Team comprised of economic development folks from throughout the state and they met in Stillwater this week. It carries the Guv's title but the Guv really isn't supposed to show up ‘cause it's about getting the details, not the policy direction, (we want props for not making a politician joke). The team exists to help market the state to companies outside and they heard a veritable herd of academic experts admonishing the team, "you fools, you fools...it's not about the companies, it's about the people!" (meaning workforce). The point being made was that economic development today is about the talent a community can offer to companies. Talent, of course, means a skilled and creative workforce. This is good news for Oklahoma which used to play the "cheap workforce" card in the past. The focus on a skilled and creative workforce means higher quality jobs and better pay for everyone, as well as a new definition about what economic development really is. The METS trailer also was on display and hosted an extensive tour by Secretary of Commerce Shirley.

UPCOMING...

 

 Wed. Aug. 20th: Leadership Ponca City Kick off luncheon. For info call 765-4400

 Mon. Sept. 15th: PCDA Realtors Workshop, (call 580.765.7070 for information)

 

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