This week had a lot going on in Ponca City: Visits from prospective businesses, nominations for awards, housing study prep and award recognitions at the 129th Ponca City Area Chamber Banquet. Two of the annual recognition awards were presented to local industry, with a special award given to our fearless leader, David Myers.

Phillips 66 was the recipient of the Industry of the Year Award. And very deserving. P66's support of local community events such as Ice on the Plaza, Goblins on Grand, the Chamber Newsletters and matching funds for employee volunteer hours are right there at the top of the list. For 2023 specifically, Phillips had their largest turnaround; Ever! During this two-month time, 2200 contractors came into the community to work, play and for some of them, stay. This is an economic one-two punch of huge proportions.

Good Job Phillips 66!

Receiving an award as Business/Partner of the Year was Cookshack Inc. Staff loves Cookshack for their forward-thinking hiring practices; their participation in Girl Power Camp! every year and their ability to shift to be relevant in the restaurant equipment manufacturing industry. The Chamber awarded them the Business/Partner of the Year for that same spirit and always supporting Chamber events and Ponca City.

With David Myers announcing his retirement for 2024, staff took the opportunity to surprise him with a "Here's Your Life" moment which included past employees and co-workers attending the Chamber Banquet. The Chamber presented him with an achievement award (pictures later) to commemorate his time leading the economic charge for Ponca City. Congratulations to all the award recipients. Great job to Industry of the Year Phillips 66 and the 2023 Chamber Business/Partner (but also Industry) Cookshack, Inc.

As his retirement date approaches, staff will continue to extol and laud David's talents and accomplishments (he says embarrass him) at every opportunity. This was the first, but it won't be the last.

Do you want to get involved with the Hispanic/Latino community in Ponca City and the surrounding area? Make plans to attend the Volunteer Hispanic Oklahoma Latino Association (HOLA) meeting on Monday, Feb. 12 at 5:30 pm. Upcoming events include Dia de la Mujer on March 7th and Cinco de Mayo Tacofest on May 5th right here at City Central.

All types of volunteers and vendors are needed and sponsorships are available for food, drinks, and entertainment. Mariachi band anyone? This is a great way to give back and learn more about our Hispanic neighbors in the Ponca City community.

You still have time to sign up for the free Small Business Administration (SBA) information Lunch & Learn. If you own a small business, are thinking about starting one or are seeking information on various funding strategies, the SBA is here to assist.

Cindi Carter, SBA Economic Development Specialist will be presenting on Friday, February 2nd at 11 am. RSVP to reserve your spot (and lunch) by January 31st. Just call the office at 580.765.7070.

The start of a new year is a good time to look ahead. From an economic standpoint, it is often amusing, if not a little frustrating. to hear folks, particularly the media folks, talk about the economy as if it was a straight line upon which one moves forward or backward. The economy doesn’t move laterally…it spins. Think drunk football after a particularly bad punt. That’s in the best of times which, if you look at the macro numbers, we are in. But you don’t feel that do you? There is a whole lot of weird going on right now, due mostly to a whiplash effect from the pandemic which came at a time when economic changes were accelerating due to technology and a ruthless scorched earth search for efficiency. You know about inflation, which has had a terrible impact on the economy. Add to that the now decade-old workforce “shortage” and massively changing consumer behavior and it’s a recipe for chaos.

There has, for example, been a lot of talk in OKC recently about restaurant closures there. Restaurants, too, suffer from inflation and if they can’t pass the increases on to their customers (and keep their customers in the process) then guess what? We have seen some of that here in Ponca City but in a small community, it just seems more personal. Both here and in the metros, people have not had to compete for parking at retailers, but we all have had to share the roadways with Amazon, UPS and Fed Ex drivers delivering packages that used to leave stores in shopping carts. Even places of calm have experienced change. You may have read about the schism facing at least one major church denomination in OKC. In addition, new non-denominational churches are growing while some PIP (Preacher in Pulpit) churches are competing with video services and/or streaming. Judge not, but measure the economic impact.

The job front remains stable and strong. Families and individuals can do a lot when they have a job and right now jobs remain plentiful here in Ponca City. There will be some additional closings, some openings and a lot of noise from the political class. With uncertainties offshore in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and the Far East, it’s an uncertain year ahead. The local economic foundation looks strong, however, and that is a good way to start the new year. As the talking heads continue to ask “Will there be a recession?” PCDA can only say “Oh, if it were only that simple.”

Exercising your brain by learning a new skill or certification has been scientifically proven to increase a person's confidence (and pay). 2024 is the year to take that big step, try for the promotion you want and get some training. Ponca City just happens to have some amazing resources with the Pioneer Technology Center, The University Center and The Ponca City Library for the self-learner.

If you are ready for a new career, keep in mind a journeyman plumber's average wage in Oklahoma is $53,500 and it only goes up from there. Not sure what jobs are in growth mode? Check out this top Critical Occupations Top 100 list from Workforce Oklahoma. Several of these occupations are employed right here in Ponca City.

Entrepreneurs come in many shapes and sizes from those with a side gig from a room in the house to serial business owners. You know the type: they have three businesses or projects in progress and are always on the lookout for the next one. Every business owner has their speed; their way of growing or slowing sales and production. Are you interested in being an entrepreneur? Is your business "The Next Big Thing?" Do you need assistance valuing a potential business to buy?

PCDA and Pioneer Tech Business & Industry are ready to assist you at your speed. Give Kat a call, 580.761.3028, or email to see what the next step is for your business future. Succession planning and exit strategies are part of the conversation.