WEEKLY UPDATE      June 8th, 2007

PROPOSALS, PROJECTS AND STUFF ...we apologize for the fancy language but there was just a lot going on this week and some of it does fall into the category of, well, stuff. PCDA staff is fine tuning two different proposals, (versions 22.0 and 12.0, or so it seems) as we try to bring these two home. These two have been working for literally years now. As frustrating as it often is, economic development just takes longer than a Paris Hilton jail term. We also responded to two more leads that came in this week, both for manufacturing facilities. In addition, we met with the friendly folks from the Workforce Investment Board and OESC on workforce issues, got together with our partners at Pioneer Tech on a potential incubator in Tonkawa, worked with several companies on finding workforce, met with our brethren and, ah, sistren at the Chamber for joint planning, met with companies on our bi-annual surveys, debriefed small business week, met with a marketing consultant on a new marketing proposal, hosted dinner for a company and worked on more, you know, stuff. OK GATEWAY ...the region came together in Newkirk today to talk about transportation issues, specifically US 77 and US 177 and the widening thereof. The regional partners also discussed the Pioneer Tech mobile training center, as well as plans for the next fiscal year. PCDA BOARD MEETING ...Next week's meeting of the PCDA Trustees will feature the consideration of the 2007-2008 budget, workplan and marketing plan. In other words, what do we need to do, how are we going to do it and how are we going to pay for it. Kinda important stuff. In addition, the cost of living survey results will be out along with reports on a number of projects. This will also be the final meeting for two PCDA Trustees, Greg Neisen and Dr. Doug Major, both of whom will expire on June 30th, (their terms in office that is…you have such a twisted mind). The meeting begins at 7:30 am next Thursday at the Chamber office. CREATIVE CLASS??? ...Richard Florida, a Ph.D. academic, (you say that like it's a bad thing) has written a series of books on the importance of the "Creative Class." This group of people, representing some 30% of the working population according to Florida, will drive the global economy of the future. Attracting them to your area is critical, so says Florida. Well the USDA took Florida's data and did an overlay of counties in the U.S., (slow day at the USDA) to see which counties had a sufficient percentage of creative class people to be competitive in today's economy. The urban counties in and around Oklahoma City and Tulsa were on the list but there were only three "rural" counties in the state that measured up. Washington County, home of Bartlesville, was one as was Payne County, home of OSU. The third was none other than Kay County, home to Ponca City America...you creative devils you. UPCOMING.... Thur. June 14th: PCDA Monthly Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:30 am, Chamber Fri. June 15th: Pancakes and Politics, (aka Rolaids & Rich) 7:00 am, Ponca Townsite Sat. June 23rd: KAWFEST (Please note, this has been rescheduled from June 9th) Kaw Lake 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