April 14, 2023

4/14/2023

PONCA CITY HERE I COME…For years people have referred to the largest hangar at the airport as the “Conoco” hangar. Well no more. Yesterday, the PCDA Board of Trustees (may they never have more takeoffs than landings) approved a lease with a California-based company called “NextGen Aviation.” The new company will operate an MRO. In airplane talk, that’s a maintenance, repair and overhaul operation. This is not an FBO, or fixed base operator, which the city has and will continue to operate. An MRO will have planes come stay for a while for serious repairs, up to and including removing engines, taking them apart and putting them back on. One might call that overhauling, if one was so inclined.

NextGen is a part of an aviation family that works on planes, leases engines to the top airlines in the nation, takes planes apart and generally keeps all of them in the sky. They were first introduced to Ponca City by former PCDA Chair Steve Hermann. The company has experience with small and large jet aircraft. They will start with the smaller ones since that 18,000 square foot hangar was built for those. Give it a little time and by this summer you will start to see things happen at that building, albeit slowly at first. More planes, more aviation jobs at the airport and just another important boost to the local economy. PCDA welcomes NextGen to the “NextGen Hangar,” and looks forward to a long relationship with this company.

THE WELCOME WAGON....was out this week during the April PCDA Board of Trustees Meeting. Chairwoman Nancy Laffey swore in newly appointed Board Trustee Mark Southard. Current Trustees and Staff were happy to welcome him onto the PCDA Board.

Trustee Southard joins the current six PCDA Board Trustees making them the Magnificent Seven moving into May. Welcome Trustee Southard.

BUSINESS EXPANSION PROGRAM DEADLINE TODAY!!!...Businesses that are considering expansion or adopting new, innovative concepts have until 5:00 p.m. today to apply for the Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program (OIEP). The application isn’t difficult but if you haven’t heard of the OIEP by now, you probably won’t be able to develop any thoughts or concepts in time to get the application in by 5:00 p.m. This, therefore, is a reminder, or a description for the curious. The OIEP was developed by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Oklahoma Finance Authority during the pandemic (or does one politically say “earlier in the pandemic?”) to help fill supply chain gaps.

The state has $15 million this year to partner with business on expansion plans. “Partner” means they will pay out a successful application each quarter for a while, with total payments amounting to between $25k and $150k. Ponca City was one of the most successful communities last year in bringing home state money to support local industries with only Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Broken Arrow hosting more successful applicants. Our hometown saw $8.60 per person brought here through last year’s program. This compares with $1.96 in another community, $2.81 in a second other city and a big fat zero in a third community, all of whom you know about and have likely made city comparisons. We’re not knocking them. They represent more or less the state average. What we are saying is that, well (blush) Ponca City does a lot of things better than a lot of other people.

HERE AT CITY CENTRAL....staff loves our tenants. This year, there was an Easter Door Decorating Contest for those in the building. With a door. There were some great entries, but Small Business & Accounting Solutions of Oklahoma took the trophy.

Good job to owner Doreen Abbott and all her minions on the fun and entertaining door decorations. City Central Tenants are the best and staff is delighted to interact with them for these fun tenant appreciation events.

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS....the Ponca City Arts Membership show happening at City Central in the John McNeese Gallery now through April 29th. Judging has happened and some of this unique and fabulous art is for sale.

Open Thursdays through Saturdays for your viewing pleasure, this membership show has a little something for everyone. Get your arts on at City Central.

BUSINESS ON THE BALCONY.....had a great turnout this week. All kinds of networking happening on the balcony and in the PCDA office. Didn't make it to the kick-off event? Never fear. You have several more chances. Next B on the B is Tuesday, May 9th. It's an early time, but worth it to have a little breakfast and a whole lot of networking. We get stuff done. On the Balcony. 7 to 8:30 am. Come and go and bring a friend.

CALLING ALL BUSINESSES.....seeking interns for 2023-24 school year. The Internship/Career Fair is happening on May 2nd, 10:45 to 12:30 pm at the High School. Internships are a great way to identify, coach and relate to the next generation of workers. Sign up for the Internship Career Fair here or contact Jordan Jackson-Gross at 580.718.4878 to get an intern assigned to your location for the 2023-24 school year.

CELEBRATE....Cinco de Mayo with the North Central Oklahoma Latino's Association (NCOkLA) the first Saturday in May right here at City Central in the Food Truck Court, Central Fare. Food, music and dancing in the streets. Well, one street. Fourth street will be closed from Oklahoma to Central and there will be all types of taco and food trucks. Bring the family and share in the celebration of the date of the Mexican army's victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War in 1862. The actual day is May 5, but we wanted an all day celebration, so Saturday May 6 it is. Flyers and food truck information coming soon.