WEEKLY UPDATE      May 11th, 2007

CONOCO MUSEUM ...tomorrow, the new Conoco Museum will officially open to the public after ceremonies yesterday and today for a variety of employees, retirees and others. The museum is a world class facility, something of which Ponca City can be truly proud. The heritage of this home-grown company and their continued commitment to Ponca City give credence to the old adage that you attract good companies, but you grow great companies. IN THE COMPANY OF ANGELS ...first of all, we're not deaf. While we believe that economic developers do solid, noble work that truly serves the public, we hear the comments and allegations about back room deals, stealing industries, favoring a company over another, etc. We know some people put the economic development profession on the list somewhere between car salesmen and telemarketers in terms of public respect. So it was a good feeling at a luncheon yesterday honoring the opening of the new Conoco Museum, (see story above) for a PCDA staffer to find himself seated at a table with two lawyers, a politician and a lobbyist for an oil company. There's nothing like a little perspective to make you feel like a holy man. DID WE MENTION HOW SMART THE VOTERS ARE????! ...by now, you know that the voters approved the new Ponca City sports and fitness center. This huge boost to so many aspects of life in Ponca City will also be a big boost to the west side of town. Voters, by definition, are never wrong…just ask Mayor Nicholson. A big thank you to everyone for this! APRIL FLOWERS ...bloomed in terms of economic activity at PCDA. PCDA staff people had contact with 19 new companies, 44 with existing companies, 22 with site consultants, 12 with our regional partners and 30 with government officials. PCDA currently has 15 open projects and three active leads with a potential job count of 1,200 people. Thus was the report at yesterday's PCDA Trustee meeting where board members also received a copy of the draft work plan, marketing plan and budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. The bosses will vote on these at the June meeting. Copies are available to the public in the PCDA office. THE PCDA WEEK ...this week PCDA was in Boston, along many other Oklahomans, at the Bio 2007 trade show; we also met in Ponca City with two new companies; worked on a project with NOC in Tonkawa; prepared for upcoming trade shows in Las Vegas and Dallas; continued negotiations with a company we pitched last month and with a company we pitched two years ago; worked on Small Business Week, (see below) worked the workforce issue, etc. SMALL BUSINESS WEEK ...sponsored by PCDA, Pioneer Tech and the Chamber will be held May 21st to May 24th and will include great, free educational workshops such as quality customer service, managing your money, marketing and best practices. Call 580.765.4400. UPCOMING.... Sat. May 12th: Conoco Museum Opening Day, 10 am - 5 pm, Oak and South Streets Mon. May 21st-May 24th: Small Business Week in Ponca City, call 765.4400 for information Ponca City Development Authority 102 S. Fifth Street, Ste. 3, Ponca City, OK 74601 580.765.7070/580.765.0969-fax Or E-Mail - David Myers CEcD - Executive Director Visit Ponca City Development's Latest News Archives © www.goponca.com - Ponca City Development Authority - Ponca City, Oklahoma