ECONOMIC GARDENING...

is a phrase PCDA staff use all the time when talking about “growing our own”. This includes workforce, entrepreneurs, products and resources. It is part of the “shift” mentality needed to stay relevant in this time of change at the end (we hope) of this pandemic. How does economic gardening work? you might ask. Well, here is an overview from our the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Our mothership in economic development if you will. The emphasis is in Stage II companies: those with 10 to 100 employees and over one million in sales.

You might recognize your company or a friends business in the description. It takes a village, and economic gardening has a lot of moving parts. PCDA is happy to be a catalyst and driver in our community. Now, about growing our next workforce....

CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

Yes, we are thank you very much. Ponca City is part of a regional group certified a Center for Workforce Excellence by the state of Oklahoma, lead by our very own Pioneer Technology Center. We are in good company as you can see by this map with eight other Centers in Oklahoma. This is to focus on growing our own workforce as well as retaining existing workers with pay, benefits and quality of life. Find out more about Centers of Excellence and other Oklahoma workforce initiatives. The more you know......

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Dorada Foods has been in the Ponca City community for a little over 10 years now. And growing their workforce has been a main focus. Starting with 350 jobs and a projected economic impact of over $217 million for 10 years, this McDonalds contracted facility has grown their product lines every few years to now employ over 700. That’s a lot of nuggets and other products heading to stores outside the Ponca City, heck even the Oklahoma area. Read more about the original announcement here. Congratulations Dorada Foods and all their employees for a successful ten years. Here's to twenty more.

WIND UP FOR THE PITCH

The PCDA Spring Pitch off is just around the corner for those with a great business idea or an existing business ready to get to the next level (remember Stage II from earlier). Maybe you are an inventor or product developer ready to launch the next big thing. We want YOU to write that business plan and pitch your idea to our group of judges on Friday, March 11^th.  Call Kat at 580.761.3028 or Ben Evans at 580.718.4262 to get started on your business plan writing. You will have access to a great online resource called LivePlan to help you write and refine your plan. What are you waiting for? Your future is just a PITCH away! Find out more information here.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Has your business explored working with the largest contractors in the United States? We are of course talking about the guvment. As your business seeks new contracts or clients, turn your search to government contracting at the city, county, Tribal, state and federal levels. How? Well, Kay County just happens to have a very helpful Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) representative. Just Ask Dawn! Dawn Brakey is part of the Business Services Team at Pioneer Tech. Stay tuned for upcoming Lunch & Learns to get your business into the government contracting game. Give her a call at (580) 718-4261 or dawnb@pioneertech.edu.

FREE COVID TESTS AVAILABLE TO ORDER FOR HOUSEHOLDS

go to www.covidtests.gov and order for your home address.

Now // 1st Fox Art Show Merchandise is available // Online

Visit www.poncacitymarketplace.com to get your

foxy totes, coffee mugs, tea towels and more.

Click here to check out all the thank yous and whose art is on what.

Jan 28-30 // THE TAMING OF THE SHREW // Ponca Playhouse

Last weekend to enjoy some Shakespeare. Locally. Get your tickets at

poncaplayhouse.com or at the Box Office at 301 S. 1st Street.

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Wednesday, Feb 2 // 1 Million Cups // Pioneer Tech - 8:30 am

Join your business community in the Seminar Center to support

local businesses as they tell their business story over a

cup of coffee. For more information, contact Kat.

Feb 3-6, 2022 // MATILDA Jr. // Poncan Theatre

Evans Children's Academy of Performing Arts.

Get your tickets now and support the kids arts.

Rental Property - Available Listings

MANUFACTURING NEWS....

used to be about new inventions, expansions and new markets. With the onset of COVID in 2020, the news has revolved around lack of employees, contractions and supply chain issues. But here in Ponca City, industry found a way to keep going: business to business contracting, sharing employees and growing our own. Now these things didn't happen overnight. PCDA staff might even say, this is what we do. COVID just showcased the ability of one company to work with another to get those jobs, keep jobs locally and grow the Ponca City economy even during the C-word. Or is it the P-word? Whatever it is, things will never be what they were. Change is happening. Shift happens. Yes, shift.

How is your business shifting? PCDA is interested in your shift. Whether it is to attract new employees, retain existing workforce, find new clients or products; how has your business shifted to survive and, we hope, thrive. Check out some of the stories below for shift.

NEW EQUIPMENT

Has your company invested in new technologies or equipment in response to customer's needs or to attract new contracts? That's shift. BUNK'R owner Brad Fredericks has embraced new technology at Pioneer Tech where PTC Machin eTool students completed a difficult to weld part in less than 20% of the manual time with a higher weld quality. This does not mean robotics and automation are replacing humans, but employees will have to embrace managing the machines and being able to program robotic machines. Thank goodness Pioneer Tech programs are already training that next workforce.

WORKFORCE

How have your hiring practices changed and shifted? For some companies, the hiring process is faster than two years ago. "We don't have time to wait six weeks to find a new sales person," Justin from a local industry said recently. "A new sales person may not be a perfect skills fit, but if they are willing to learn, have customer service experience and fit our culture, we are going to hire quickly." PCDA is excited about this shift from long interview processes and long lead times before hiring. Quality workers want to work and staff is hopeful other companies will hire faster. Here is a video on how Cookshack has shifted their hiring processes for better "employee fit" with their company culture.

INVESTING IN SHIFT

Companies have to spend money to make money. Two local companies spending to grow are Cookshack with a 10,000 foot expansion project in the works at their current building. And to see a completed growth project, take a gander at Custom Mechanical Equipment's widened drive approach to accommodate some "huge" outgoing skids. That baby has back!

INDUSTRY SHIFTS

Not sure how to shift your products? processes? people? These two can help: PCDA's Laurence Beliel and Johnny Thornburgh from Pioneer Technology Center Business Services. Between these two guys and the people they have on speed dial, you have a consulting service at your disposal. Did we mention they are free? Invite them over and hit them with your shift. They are big boys and can help you with your company's next .....shift.

Contact Laurence here and find out more information about Pioneer Tech Business Services here.

FREE COVID TESTS AVAILABLE TO ORDER FOR HOUSEHOLDS

go to www.covidtests.gov and order for your home address.

POSTPONED // MATILDA presented by Evans Performing Arts // Poncan Theatre

NEW DATES WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON

Now // 1st Fox Art Show Merchandise is available // Online

Visit www.poncacitymarketplace.com to get your

foxy totes, coffee mugs, tea towels and more.

Click here to check out all the thank yous and whose art is on what.

Jan 21-23 & 28-30 // THE TAMING OF THE SHREW // Ponca Playhouse

Enjoy some Shakespeare. Locally. Get your tickets at

poncaplayhouse.com or at the Box Office at 301 S. 1st Street.

Wed, Jan 26 // Selling Online with E-Commerce Tools // 2-3 pm

Kickstart your E-Commerce with this informative program presented

by OK Small Business Dev Center. Registration & more info here.

Thursday, Jan 27 // 127th Annual Ponca City Chamber Celebration // 2 events

Find out more about the two locations & how to get your tickets

Or call the Chamber office at 580.765.4400

Wednesday, Feb 2 // 1 Million Cups // Pioneer Tech - 8:30 am

Join your business community in the Seminar Center to support

local businesses as they tell their business story over a

cup of coffee. For more information, contact Kat.

Rental Property - Available Listings

MEETINGS

Used to be meetings were the gathering of people together to discuss one or more topics and work through projects to better be able to conduct work/events/programs. In 2022, meetings are more likely to be virtual or partially virtual with many emails, decisions trees, video chats and Team chats thrown in for good measure. Who would have thought after two years, professionals would be wishing to have face-to-face meetings on their schedule instead of griping about another meeting?

PCDA had the monthly Board of Trustee meeting this week. When we refer to our team, these are the owner reps calling the shots from the box seats. These meetings allow staff to seek direction on projects, report on projects and discuss economic vitality and needs for Ponca City. The PCDA Board of Trustees are our team and we are sure glad to have them. Keep reading for topics discussed this month. Meetings are open to the public every second Thursday at City Central, 7:30 am.

WORKFORCE

You may have heard a news story about workforce shortages; seen "Now Hiring" signs around town or are experiencing employee gaps at your own place of business. Why is that? Well, staff here at PCDA have been talking about this for awhile (13 years to be exact. But who's counting?). The presentation given by Laurence Beliel at this week's PCDA Board meeting gives you the highlights. Do you want to join our conversation? Send an email to lbeliel@goponca.com with questions, comments or just "I want in on this discussion".

BUILDING OUR OWN

On the topic of employees, Ponca Works is busy growing the next Ponca City workforce in partnership with the PC Public Schools System. How? Internship programs. Pairing local employers with interested high school students leads to hiring new employees which is how Ponca Works (the employer assistance arm of PCDA) is building the next workforce. Watch this video and meet a local entrepreneur who hosts one to two interns each year.

TEAM HEALTH

PCDA staff has also been having conversations with companies about retaining employees too. How is your company keeping the most valuable team players? The Gig Economy is a real threat, so having a conversation about health care, mental health, vacation, higher pay and remote work may need to happen for retention. Find out about mental health information here and read this article about how to have meaningful meetings on other topics with your employees here. The more you know......

From lt to rt: David Myers, PCDA Exec. Director; Garrett Bowers, 2021 Chamber Chair & PCDA Board Member; Rich Cantillon, Chamber Exec. Director; Mayor Nicholson and City Manager Craig Stephenson.

Another set of team members is our wonderful Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Ponca City. This is a great picture as you get the full effect of teamwork in one take. Thank you to Rich's Team at the Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Nicholson and City Manager Craig Stephenson for their guidance from the City of Ponca City. Find out how to get involved with the Chamber on their website and there is always room on a City Board or Commission for an active citizen. Thank you Chamber and City teammates.

Jan 20-23 // MATILDA presented by Evans Performing Arts // Poncan Theatre

Tickets available at Poncantheatre.org or at the box office. Thurs-Sun

Jan 21-23 & 28-30 // THE TAMING OF THE SHREW // Ponca Playhouse

Enjoy some Shakespeare. Locally. Get your tickets at poncaplayhouse.com or

at the Playhouse Box Office at 301 S. 1st Street.

Wednesday, Jan 26 // Selling Online with E-Commerce Tools // Online 2-3 pm

Kickstart your E-Commerce with this informative program presented by

the OK Small Business Dev Center. Registration & more information here.

Thursday, Jan 27 // 127th Annual Ponca City Chamber Celebration // 2 events

Find out more about the two locations and how to get your tickets here

Or call the Chamber office at 580.765.4400

Wednesday, Feb 2 // 1 Million Cups // Pioneer Tech Seminar Center - 8:30 am

Join your business community to support local businesses as they tell

their business story over a cup of coffee. For more information, contact Kat.

Rental Property - Available Listings

TEAM SPORTS

Economic development is a team sport. Especially now with a new year and coming out of (hopefully) COVID. Sports are fun, right? To be successful in sports, practice and teamwork are vital to the team success. There has to be communication, but also fun. And your team becomes part of your family. And in many ways, your family becomes part of the team. And on those teams, there is always that breakout teammate(s) or dynamic duo(s) who push the rules or boundaries of what is acceptable on the field or playing the game. PCDA has always strived to be that boundary pusher; the creativity to get the job done.

To that end, PCDA staff are here to assist Ponca City business owners, industries and entrepreneurs in their team growth. Keep reading to explore the changes; find some answers and with some teamwork, let's grow our economy even more in 2022.

AWARDS

Everyone loves an award, right? A visible "Way to go" that your efforts (teamwork even) have been noticed and appreciated. Congratulations to Ponca Works Manager, our very own PCDA'er Liz Leaming for receiving the December Friend of Education Award. Also pictured are Lorrie Layton, Randy Empting and of course, Jack Leaming,her son. Find out more about the presentation here.

THE GREAT RESIGNATION

You may have noticed more job postings; more open jobs or just hear the term. Ponca Works is the workforce arm of PCDA and assists companies to find employees, but also aids workforce in their search. Call us a matchmaker. Keep reading here for what is driving the current dynamics of work and what skills are in demand, now and for the future.

ECONOMIC GARDENING

Is growing your own workforce/employers /industries. Economic gardening strives to support the entrepreneurs in the community; with available funding, infrastructure, employees and training. Click here to keep reading about Economic Gardening.

After reading, you may have questions. Give us a call at 580.765.7070 and ask. Our team is standing by.

PCDA works with other entities, orgs, education and The City to facilitate economic growth. Do you know the Business Services team at Pioneer Technology Center? Their team is most definitely part of our economic development team. Take a minute to check out all the services, classes and info available to businesses here in Ponca City. Need more? Call the PCDA office or Business Services.

We love these guys!

Jan 7-8 // Winter Blues Sale // Ponca City Main Street Businesses

Find out more about the sales on the Ponca City Main Street Page

Thursday, Jan 13 // Preparing for the 2022 Tax Season // Online 11am-12

Get ready for tax season with this informative program presented

by OK Small Business Dev Center. Register & more information here.

Jan 13-16 // MATILDA presented by Evans Performing Arts // Poncan Theatre

Tickets available at Poncantheatre.org or at the box office. Thurs-Sun

Jan 14-16 & 21-23 // THE TAMING OF THE SHREW // Ponca Playhouse

Enjoy some Shakespeare. Locally. Get your tickets at poncaplayhouse.com or

at the Playhouse Box Office at 301 S. 1st Street.

Wednesday, Jan 26 // Selling Online with E-Commerce Tools // Online 2-3 pm

Kickstart your E-Commerce with this informative program presented by

the OK Small Business Dev Center. Registration & more information here.

Wednesday, Feb 2 // 1 Million Cups // Pioneer Tech Seminar Center - 8:30 am

Join your business community to support local businesses as they tell

their business story over a cup of coffee. For more information, contact Kat.

Rental Property - Available Listings