HELP WANTED (Part XXVVIV)...There is a lot of talk about workforce these days. Do people want to work? Are we paying them to stay home? Are Covid concerns keeping them away from the workplace? Is childcare an issue (hint: YES!)? Is it a skills gap? So many questions and, frankly, so many answers. As with most things, the answer is “it depends.” The workforce is not a monolithic group that gets together in breakout rooms and plans strategy. It’s all of us and all of us have different ideas, goals, etc. PCDA was at a “thing” this week talking to a local who wanted to know why workforce is an issue when it comes to business relocation. “Well” our well meaning citizen/friend asked, “don’t they just move their workers with them?” Ponca City has seen examples of companies that move their existing workers to various places (including moving them to Ponca City) but that is far from the norm.

Most business do not do this for a variety of reasons. It starts with the fact that, and this is more true now than ever, a lot of workers will simply quit rather than move. The employees are established, their kids are in schools, they have their friends, house of worship, lemonade stands, whatever and they are not about to just change their life because their employer told them to do so. This is both cultural (and, yes, some generational stuff at play) and the fact that there are a lot of open jobs everywhere. It is certainly true that some people do move for work but companies no longer assume they can move everyone and this changes what they seek in communities. In today’s environment, and by today PCDA means August 13, 2021, a lot of companies are operating in a wait and see mode. When will COVID finally go away? What will the impacts be? Will the workforce finally be available (and if so where)? As previously stated, so many questions.

PCDA staff had the opportunity to chat with AllianceHealth Hospital staff this week and the stories they had to tell! The upshot is take care of your health as we all navigate this latest COVID surge together; but also six feet apart. Chris, Jennie, Jeanie and John requested folks keep doing all those wellness health tests that you might want to put off until after COVID. Hospital staff would rather see you for routine tests now than for treatments later. Swear; this is a direct quote! With the Alliance Health Network acquisition of the Urgent Care facility at 1715 N. 5th Street, those seeking COVID rapid tests have easier and quicker access to testing than heading to the Emergency Room.

Find out more about our wonderful hospital by following them on Facebook or the AllianceHealth Website. A community is known by the Doctors they keep. New practitioners recruited to the community include a new neurosurgeon and urologist. Show some love to our frontline workers as we get through COVID together. Photo: Kelsey Wagner, My Media Matters

School is right around the corner. The PC Chamber is accepting school supplies at the their office located at 5th and Grand Avenue during office hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Help out Ponca City Public students with some new school supplies.

Five Most Requested School Supply Items for Secondary and Elementary:

Elementary: Clorox Wipes, Crayola Crayons, Regular Ruled Spiral and Ticonderoga Pencils.

Secondary: Copy Paper, Kleenex, Clorox Wipes, Notebooks and Mechanical Pencils/Lead.

If your would like to donate money, the Chamber will purchase school supplies for you. Just drop by the Chamber office.

GOVERNOR STILL WILL BE in Ponca City next Tuesday as part of his Top 10 Traveling Cabinet Tour. Ponca City is the second stop and will host a cabinet meeting as well as a meet and greet afterward in The Summit Room at City Central . Make plans to attend at 11 am next Tuesday, August 17.

“I am excited to bring my team to Ponca City because it is so important that Oklahomans in all areas of the state have the chance to interact with their leaders,” said Gov. Stitt. “It is so beneficial for us to visit different communities and hear about issues that are important to the people we serve and for us to give an update on the things we are doing to make Oklahoma a Top Ten state.”

WELCOMING OLD FRIENDS

After nearly three years in a collaborative role with the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance & Pioneer Tech Biz Services, PCDA friend and PTech compadre Janet Schwabe is Pioneer Tech’s Innovation and Incubator Manager on a full time basis. 



Her past incubator and economic development experience is now all ours; through PTech Biz Services, of course. She will focus on the business incubator while engaging in initiatives to benefit companies in the PTC district, bringing that entrepreneurial Ponca City spirit to the rest of Kay County and points beyond. Welcome Janet.

Have a project that needs an extra pair of hands and some skills? How about an intern. Attend this Lunch and Learn at the Chamber on September 8th and ask all the questions about having an intern at your location. Pay or no pay. Insurance needs. How many hours? What time frame is the best for an intern? Ask all the questions of Liz Leaming. Call the Chamber to sign up 580.765.4400. Lunch is included.

Tuesday, Aug 17 // Gov. Stitt Cabinet Meeting // The Summit @City Central

Governor Stitt and his cabinet will be in Ponca City at 11 am for a Cabinet Meeting

and a Meet & Greet with the public.

Wed, Aug 18// Ponca City School Begins // Watch out for the kiddos

Yes, School is back in session. Be on the lookout for crossings, walkers & bikers.

Friday, August 20 // Party at the Palace // Marland Mansion

Support the PC Chamber with this once-every-two-year blow out party and live auction.

Tickets are still available, but not for long. Always a crush for a good cause.

Call Caleb at 580.765.4400

Thurs Aug 12 // New Teacher Luncheon // PC Country Club 11:30 am

Contact Rich at the Chamber office if your business/company would like to sponsor a New Teacher. This is a great way to get to know our new educators. 580.765.4400

Friday, August 20 // Party at the Palace // Marland Mansion

Get your tickets and buy your Golden Ticket before all 100 are gone!

Call the Chamber now at 580.765.4400 to reserve your tickets.

Wed, Sept 8 // Internship Lunch & Learn // Chamber Conf. Room

Sign up now to ask all those questions you need to know about having an internship

program in place for your company. Call the Chamber to sign up.

Lunch is sponsored by PCDA.

Rental Property - Available Listings

SUMMER IS......drawing to its close. This weekend is tax-free shopping in Ponca City; teachers head back to their classrooms next week and Ponca City students start back on the 18th. But the news everyone is talking about around the water cooler, appropriately spaced of course, is the Delta spike in COVID cases. And PCDA is not here to speculate on where that is going, but to remind all our companies (including retail, service and restaurants) to be prepared just in case. What does that mean? So glad you asked.

You know the drill with wearing masks, washing hands and staying at home if you feel not yourself, but how about your work readiness? Double checking that laptops are updated and ready for employees who can work at home, to work from home. Meeting with your staff on how to stagger shifts to cover retail and service if necessary. How is your online presence? Now may be the time to upload current stock and items to your website. Thinking about e-commerce? Consider pulling that trigger. Check out www.poncacitymarketplace.com for a quick, already in existence, e-commerce site. Just give PCDA a call and we will help facilitate getting you trained with PC Main Street. Keep in mind: Sales tax for Ponca City increased over the last year. People want to shop local and support local businesses. Give them the opportunity. Keep reading for more information on upcoming events for you AND your business growth.

This week most of the staff were out visiting one of the buildings in this picture as well as the piece of green space front and center otherwise known as Project Duke. We love nothing more than hanging out with our manufacturers and listening to all their machines running with all employees on deck. Now, about that workforce. Ponca City has jobs. If you are looking for employment, head over to goponca.com/work and apply. Now. Please and Thank you!

#JUSTASKDAWN

PCDA is always on the look out for new customers for our existing companies. To this end, there is a great contract services person located at Pioneer Technology Center in the Business Services area, Dawn Brakey. #JustAskDawn is the best way to find out information on government contracting with city, state, federal and tribal governments. Need help with SAM? Dun & Bradstreet? Your NAICS information? #JustAskDawn. The ICBS Show is a great way to matchmake with government entities in Oklahoma, Corps of Engineers and Tribes. But you have to be ready to talk the talk. Call Dawn at 580.718.4261 or email her at dawnb@pioneertech.edu for more information on contracting opportunities.

OUTDOOR SAILING

Many hands make light work. Especially when dealing with pulley systems and large sails in Central Fare. All around handy man and BR&E Maestro Laurence Beliel lead our intrepid staff this week to assist him with this daunting task. We may have deserted him later that day, but he was diligent. Down X Downtown is tonight from 6 to 9 pm. Come check out our sails at this fun outdoor gathering with food trucks, live music and adult beverages.

BUSINESS ON THE BALCONY

B ON THE B is next Tuesday; 7 to 8:30 am on the Balcony at City Central. Grab a little breakfast and get in some networking with local businesses, companies and individuals. Looking for information for your business or for yourself? This is the place to be. Avocado toast and information; it doesn't get much better than that. City Central at 400 E. Central, second floor, Suite #200. We will be on the balcony.

Have a project that needs an extra pair of hands and some skills? How about an intern. Attend this Lunch and Learn at the Chamber on September 8th and ask all the questions about having an intern at your location. Pay or no pay. Insurance needs. How many hours? What time frame is the best for an intern? Ask all the questions of Liz Leaming. Call the Chamber to sign up 580.765.4400. Lunch is included.

Friday, August 6 // Down X Downtown // Central Fare 6 to 9 pm

Food Trucks, Live Music, Adult Beverages & community in an outdoor setting.

Tuesday, Aug 10 // Business on the Balcony // PCDA Balcony 7 am to 8:30 am

Mark your calendar for a little breakfast & a lot of networking. Meet business people; get connected and get your questions answered. City Central, Suite #200. On the B.

Thurs Aug 12 // New Teacher Luncheon // PC Country Club 11:30 am

Contact Rich at the Chamber office if your business/company would like to sponsor a New Teacher. This is a great way to get to know our new educators. 580.765.4400

Wed, Aug 18// Ponca City School Begins // Watch out for the kiddos

Yes, School is back in session. Be on the lookout for crossings, walkers & bikers.

Friday, August 20 // Party at the Palace // Marland Mansion

Support the PC Chamber with this once-every-two-year blow out party and live auction.

Tickets are still available, but not for long. Always a crush for a good cause.

Call Caleb at 580.765.4400

Rental Property - Available Listings