“HOMECOMING”...is this week for Wildcat Football.  In the economic development world, homecoming is when potential workforce return to the community to put down roots, start or take over a family business or sometimes, it's just time to come home.  Whatever the reason, Ponca City is an exciting place to be most of the time, but especially this week.  Staff loves a parade, so seeing the floats, band and school spirit last night was wonderful.  Now, about that football game tonight! 

Also this week, staff were welcoming the community at City Central to start painting the new mural, created by Bradley Hayes.  You still have to time to grab friends and family and put your mark on the mural.  Visits from  OK Department of Commerce people, grant projects and meetings with small businesses rounded out the week.  Keep reading to find out more, but this week it is about that Wildcat Pride.  See you at the stadium!

AT CITY CENTRAL.....the community mural hit full swing this week.  Groups of students, families and City Central building tenants all participated in this fun community project.  Bring the family and friends today (Friday) from 2 to 6 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) from 12 to 4 pm.  We have the paint and a whole lot of wall.  Outline and design by Bradley Hayes, local artist.  Nothing brings a community together like painting a picture.

THE ACTUAL AWARDS...... arrived this week in the PCDA office; as did the six official award presentation pictures.  Now, staff won't bore you with the details AGAIN, but suffice it to say we oohed and ahhhed over the plaques a few more times.  These awards given by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) validate PCDA projects and programs like The Business Plan Pitch-off, Ponca Works, The Shared Equipment Program, the "It's Science" video and the"It's Not Science" entrepreneurship video.  Did we mention PCDA received six awards?  Oh, we did.  But six, right?  Out of over 500  submissions.  Thank you Ponca CIty for allowing PCDA to support and grow the economy.   For more information on these and other PCDA programs, please call or email.   580.765.7070 or klong@goponca.com.

YOUR TIME IS NOW.....to start your small business. The Fall Ponca City Business Plan Pitch-off is just around the corner. Writing the business plan can be a daunting process.But for Ponca City businesses there are free resources available . Deadline for business plans is November 2nd.  For more information,click here or call Kat at 580.761.3028

 Watch this video from past Business Plan Pitchers on how this competition can help you launch, grow and run your small business.

Saturdays // Farmers Market at Pioneer Woman

8 to 11 am

Every Saturday during the summer (and some of the Fall)

make time to get your produce, baked goods, meat

and other local food at the Pioneer Woman circle.

Fri, Sept 30 // State of the City // City Hall 12 to 1 pm

Ponca Politics Forum TODAY! 

Wed, October 5 // Customer Service Training // 11:30 to 1:30 pm

Ponca CIty Chamber free training for Chamber members.

Call the Chamber office to register 765-4400 Includes lunch

Saturday, Nov 5 // Veterans Day Parade // Downtown

Chamber has parade forms for participating in this

largest Veteran's Day Parade in Oklahoma.

Rental Property - Available Listings

“YOU AGAIN???”...This week, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the largest association of economic development experts, organizations, government types and camp followers held their big annual conference. At this conference, they gave out awards to the top economic development programs among their 5,000 members. These ceremonies are a lot like the Oscars with different categories and winners in each category. At one point during the ceremony, the MC turned to one of the winners coming onto the stage to accept an award and said “You again?” Seems this organization was a repeat offender and was making a lot of trips to the stage. 

As you may have guessed, that question was directed at PCDA. So here is a cold hard fact: PCDA won more awards this year than anyone else…period, drop the mic.

Fact two: PCDA won more awards than all other Oklahoma economic development organizations combined. 

Fact three: Four of the six were gold (yes, like the Olympics) and two were silver, meaning these were top awards, category killers if you will, not just honorable mentions. 

The Gold medals awarded to PCDA were in major categories such as Business Retention and Expansion, Small Business Development and two in Workforce Development (Ponca Works). The two Silvers were in marketing categories, which is as close to awards for recruitment as the IEDC gets, so the recognitions were pretty much across the board. Does this matter? Beyond the point of pride which one hopes the community feels for having the most honored economic development organization in (at least) the state, these awards are an in-your-face, not to be ignored statement to site consultants, federal funding agencies, decision makers and others who need to be convinced that there is a reason, six reasons this year alone, to look at Ponca City.  

IN THE AIP.....while staff were off being rockstars and collecting awards, the Cookshack building project got some sticks in the air.  Nothing more exciting than watching a new building going up in the Airport Industrial Park.  The Duke project is closer to getting its own sticks as crews finished up water lines and continue to prep the building pad for concrete.  Check out that blue sky background!

LAST FRIDAY......City Central played host to the First Annual Hispanic Festival with over 400 of our favorite Ponca Citians. It was a party and celebration that will not soon be forgotten. Thanks to local business sponsors P66, Cherokee Strip Credit Union, Dorada Foods, The PC Chamber, THe Ponca City Library and the planning committee, this first event was a rousing success. If you missed it, mark your calendars for September 15 to October 15th, 2023. For now, enjoy some pictures. 

BUSINESS START UPS

YOUR TIME IS NOW.....to start your small business. The Fall Ponca City Business Plan Pitch-off is just around the corner. Writing the business plan can be a daunting process.But for Ponca City businesses there are free resources available . Deadline for business plans is November 2nd.  For more information,click here or call Kat at 580.761.3028

 Watch this video from past Business Plan Pitchers on how this competition can help you launch, grow and run your small business.

Saturdays // Farmers Market at Pioneer Woman

8 to 11 am

Every Saturday during the summer (and some of the Fall)

make time to get your produce, baked goods, meat

and other local food at the Pioneer Woman circle.

Fri - Sat, Sept 23-24 // PC Arts Festival // LA Cann Gardens

All day both days. Check out your favorite artists, get some early 

Christmas shopping done and enjoy the gardens.

Tuesday, Sept 27 // Email Marketing // Pioneer Tech

9-10:30 am  $15 and includes breakfast

Rental Property - Available Listings

QUALITY OF LIFE....is top of mind for many workers in this day and age. Whether employees are relocating to a new community or seeking their next workplace, housing, entertainment, schools and activities make a community "livable".  Ponca City is that community. Fall is a busy time right before the busy-ness of the holidays here in our little piece of paradise. There are football games almost every night of the week, live theatre, art exhibits as well as festivals and food based fundraisers.  Tonight is the First Hispanic Heritage Festival right here at City Central and tomorrow is the Cherokee Strip Cookoff at Lake Ponca. Rest and recuperate because next weekend is all about the art and beauty of the Ponca City Art Festival being held at the beautiful LA Cann Gardens.

Some of our favorite business people have been extolling the manufacturing capabilities of Ponca City industry to our friends in Nashville this week. And our partners at Pioneer Technology Center officially cut the ribbon on the Westward Expansion of their campus which includes a large conference space, new cosmetology and culinary arts program areas! Staff is trying to make time to get to the Kay County Free Fair, but so much is happening in Ponca CIty..... you get the idea. Keep reading for all the 411 on our Trade Show Brigade and the economic impact from the 2021 Design 2 Part show in Dallas. 

PIONEER TECHNOLOGY CENTER...hcelebrated the opening of the new construction areas which include a large meeting room (staff has wall screen envy), new cosmetology and culinary arts classrooms and work areas.  This picture does not do the space justice, but past and present PTech Board Members accepted the Chambers first dollar from Wendy Stobbe happily.  If you get a chance, the Pioneer Tech  Kitchen is open for breakfast and lunch Mon-Fri.  Check out the menu and times here. Congratulations!

K&C MANUFACTURING......owner Kirk Brown gave staff a little insight into why these tradeshows are so important.  "The first time we went to Design 2 Part in Dallas, I had a hard time justifying the cost for travel, food and hotels.  But now, I am so thankful that Laurence kept badgering me to attend."  Kirk went on  to state his company's best, most consistent customer found K&C at this tradeshow a couple of years ago.  "D2P increased our yearly sales by at lease $60,000.  That makes attending these show easy to justify.  K&C will take that as a win for us and for Ponca CIty." 

MEANWHILE....back in Ponca City, local manufacturers are shipping products all over the world. Staff received this picture to show off a shipment to Paraquay. South America just in case you were thinking there might be a Paraguay, Kansas. International shipping and federal trade is a thing here in Ponca City. In fact,on a recent visit, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce traveling team was surprised by just how many manufacturers and the diversity of products made right here in Ponca City. If you are interested, check out this link to our manufacturers list at goponca.com.

BUSINESS START UPS

YOUR TIME IS NOW.....to start your small business. The Fall Ponca City Business Plan Pitch-off is just around the corner. Writing the business plan can be a daunting process.But for Ponca City businesses there are free resources available.

 Watch this video from past Business Plan Pitchers on how this competition can help you launch, grow and run your small business.

Saturdays // Farmers Market at Pioneer Woman

8 to 11 am

Every Saturday during the summer (and some of the Fall)

make time to get your produce, baked goods, meat

and other local food at the Pioneer Woman circle.

Friday, Sept 16 // Hispanic Heritage Festival // City Central

5-9 pm in AThe Summit and Couryard

Food, music, dancing and a celebration of our Hispanic community.

Saturday, Sept 17 // Cherokee Strip Cook off// Lake Ponca

tTasting kits available at the event.  Tasting begins at 12:30 pm.

All proceeds are donated to the Opportunity Center.

Thursday, Sept 22 // Business after Hours // Equity Bank

5 to 7 pm at 222 E. Grand Great networking and nibbles.

Fri - Sat, Sept 23-24 // PC Arts Festival // LA Cann Gardens

All day both days.  Check out your favorite artists, get some early 

Christmas shopping done and enjoy the gardens.

Tuesday, Sept 27 // Email Marketing // Pioneer Tech

9-10:30 am  $15 and includes breakfast

Rental Property - Available Listings

IN-MIGRATION....of population to our lovely state is a good thing.  The Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) updated economic developers this week about increases in 2021 of over 27,000 people to the state.  Roughly 7000 people from Texas, 8500 from California, 1000 from Colorado and the rest from other states.  These newbies to the neighborhood are mostly in our larger cities of Tulsa and OKC, but the fact population numbers are on the increase means information on the Oklahoma lower cost of living, job opportunities and entrepreneur support are starting to get some traction.  Of course, we have known these things for years!

As your economic development office, PCDA has added workforce recruitment to our programs which support existing business.  Ponca Works manages a job board with local job listings, hosts the award winning Girl Power Camp each summer and is currently hip deep with internship programming at PoHi.  This future workforce to existing jobs alignment is crucial for Ponca City to retain high school and college graduates as well as offering training and certifications for in-demand trades people.   Keep reading for more information on these and other workforce attraction and retention programs. 

1 MILLION CUPS....happens every month on the first Wednesday, 8:30 am at Pioneer Technology Center. This week, Steve Kelley with H&H Asset Protection Specialists enlighted attendees with the why and how to document your possessions. Or as the saying goes, just call H&H and they will get it done for you. 

If you are interested in sharing your business story with the local business community, click here to get started with 1MC. 

GIRL POWER!..... This year Ponca Works hosted it's 7th annual Girl Power STEM Camp. This Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing camp began as a way to better align girls with careers in male dominated industries.  The need for this type of STEM camp was based on primary data collected by having hundreds of applicants for a secretarial position (female), and none for a manufacturing position. Often times these male dominated industries are more profitable as a career, which would provide more stability in life for women, and many local employers vouch that women do the jobs better than men overall. 

With two classes of former Girl Power participants graduating and going into their career fields, PCDA staff see's them all over Ponca City as members of the workforce. Each one remembers and speaks about the impact that girl power had on their mindset towards what they can accomplish. Many are in STEM careers, or training for them. On this summer's tour of a local company, our 2022 class of Girl Power students got to witness a former Girl Power student from 2016 who was working in this manufacturing industry. It was inspiring, to say the least. (pictured, lower right)  Many former campers are asking to come back and volunteer to tell the future Girl Power students about the amazing experiences they've experienced.   Keep your eyes out for information on the 2023 Girl Power STEM camp. You and your company can be involved in many different ways.

BUSINESS START UPS

YOUR TIME IS NOW.....to start your small business. The Fall Ponca City Business Plan Pitch-off is just around the corner. Writing the business plan can be a daunting process.But for Ponca City businesses there are free resources available.

 Watch this video from past Business Plan Pitchers on how this competition can help you launch, grow and run your small business.

Saturdays // Farmers Market at Pioneer Woman

8 to 11 am

Every Saturday during the summer (and some of the Fall)

make time to get your produce, baked goods, meat

and other local food at the Pioneer Woman circle.

Tuesday, Sept 13 // Business on the Balcony

7 to 8:30 am

On the PCDA Balcony - City Central

Grab some grub and do some networking.

Tuesday, Sept 13 //Westward Expansion Ribbon Cutting

5:30 to 6:30pm

Pioneer Technology Center Ribbon Cutting for their new digs.

1201 N. Ash

Friday, Sept 16 // Hispanic Heritage Festival // City Central

5-9 pm in AThe Summit and Couryard

Food, music, dancing and a celebration of our Hispanic community.

Thursday, Sept 22 // Business after Hours // Equity Bank

5 to 7 pm at 222 E. Grand  Great networking and nibbles.

Tuesday, Sept 27 // Email Marketing // Pioneer Tech

9-10:30 am   $15 and includes breakfast

Rental Property - Available Listings

THE END......of summer is a sad time for some. However, those of us on staff who love fall evenings, hot cocoa and all things pumpkin have been celebrating. Fall is also the time for conferences (staff has a couple this month) students seeking internships for next summer (believe is or not) and the return of 1 Million Cups. Fall also signals organizational report cards, State of the City and all the end-of-the-year fiscal responsibility reporting.

Another Fall bonus are classes at Pioneer Technology Center to augment and grow your business acumen. Make sure to check out the upcoming QuickBooks, marketing and Manager's Toolbelt classes starting soon. Flyers and sign up information are listed below.  Be safe this holiday weekend as Labor Day officially closes the summer. Well, maybe not the temperatures, but it's Oklahoma after all.

1 MILLION CUPS....returns next week on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at Pioneer Technology Center.  Doors open at 8 am and Steve Kelley with H&H Asset Protection Specialists will tell us his business story at 8:30.  The Coffee is on us, so join your community to support your business community. 

BUSINESS START UPS

YOUR TIME IS NOW.....to start your small business.  The Fall Ponca CIty Business Plan Pitch-off is just around the corner. Writing the business plan can be a daunting process.But for Ponca City businesses there are free resources available.

 Watch this video from past Business Plan Pitchers on how this competition can help you launch, grow and run your small business.

EMPLOYEE TRAINING FUNDS AVAILABLE......Sign up for this Lunch and Learn program on September 8 and find out exactly what our friends at the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provide for business owners in the form of education, support services, and access to employment to current and future workforce. All their services are free to employers and job seekers alike. WIOA partners with businesses to get program participants the work experience they need to further their careers. There are certain eligibility guidelines that job seekers must meet to utilized these programs. Is your business needing in demand skill sets? Not sure what that means?  Call the Chamber at 765-4400 to register.

Saturdays // Farmers Market at Pioneer Woman

8 to 11 am

Every Saturday during the summer (and some of the Fall)

make time to get your produce, baked goods, meat

and other local food at the Pioneer Woman circle.

Friday, Sept 2 // DXDT // Central Fare

6 to 9 pm

Check out Down by Downtown at Central Fare: music,

food trucks and pop-up shops. Great time to come out

and enjoy the summer fun!

Monday, Sept 5 // Labor Day // Observed

PCDA Offices closed.

Thursday, Sept 8 // PCDA Board of Trustee Meeting

7:30 am

City Central - Gravity Room #509

Tuesday, Sept 13 // Business on the Balcony

7 to 8:30 am

On the PCDA Balcony - City Central

Grab some grub and do some networking.

Tuesday, Sept 13 //Westward Expansion Ribbon Cutting

5:30 to 6:30pm

Pioneer Technology Center Ribbon Cutting for their new digs.

1201 N. Ash

Rental Property - Available Listings