WEEKLY UPDATE      May 5th, 2007

PONCA CITY 5.4.07 ...for the first time in a long time, we did not send out any proposals this week. Now a proposal is not a blind shot in the dark. It's a real response to a company that has said, "I'm interested, how can you help." The fact that we did not send out one this week does not mean it wasn't busy 'cause economic development is less and less about moving companies and more and more about growing companies. PCDA's award winning Business Expansion service, (we just love saying that!) was hard at work with a company trying to land a conference here, we also worked with a tribe on a retail project, co-sponsored the eighth grade job fair, co-sponsored the Corenet Global Show in Denver, worked with our partners in Tonkawa and Pioneer Tech and made a serious connection between two local businesses. BAD NAME, REAL ISSUE ...If you have been following the news, you've heard that Governor Henry recently vetoed a tort reform measure sent to him by a heavily divided state legislature. While "tort" may be a silly name, the issue for Oklahoma is truly serious. Oklahoma ranks 38th in the nation in terms of legal climate according to the Institute for Legal Reform (ILR). That's a decline from 33rd last year and slides us into the "worst" category among states. Businesses, as you might expect, avoid states with poor legal climates. The argument can be made that the ILR has a business orientation but, duh, so do companies. AS ROCKY SAID TO BULLWINKLE, "THIS TIME FOR SURE!! ...for the sixth time in seven months, Ponca City voters, (or at least some of them) will head to the polls on Tuesday, this time to decide if the City should partner with the YMCA on a sports and fitness complex at the corner of Grand and Waverly. The upsides are many. The complex would unquestionably be a strong attraction to families and businesses. It would also help Ponca Citians of all ages on health and wellness issues. The downside is that the sales tax would continue to be 8%, (it is currently at 7.5% but it was 8% before April 1st). There, we've been fair and given you both sides. While we can't take sides, we can say that a sports and fitness facility is good for economic development…not that we're telling you how to vote, (wink). PCDA TRUSTEES TO MEET ...Next week's PCDA Board of Trustees' meeting will discuss the most recent job fair at Pioneer Tech, the most recent 8th grade job fair, the presentation of the draft budget, work plan and marketing for PCDA's 2007-2008 fiscal year, and discussion of several other economic development issues. The meeting is at the Chamber. UPCOMING.... Fri. May 4th-Sat. May 5th: Iris Festival, Downtown Ponca City, (as in now...go!) Sun.-Wed. May 6th-9th: Bio 2007 trade show, Boston Mon. May 7th: Small Business Day at the State Capitol. 1-5 p.m. 2nd Floor Rotunda Tue. May 8th: Election Day: Ponca City Sports and Fitness Complex. Please vote! Thu. May 10th: PCDA Board of Trustees monthly meeting, 7:30 am, Chamber Office Thu. May 10th: Conoco Museum Opening (check your local listings) 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