February 25, 2022

Forward Together: Ponca City Development Authority

GROWING YOU BUSINESS….. is hard right now. There are so many limitations: finding employees, training employees, getting supplies and charting the right growth trajectory. But many of our local companies are doing just that: growing their business. Whether in manufacturing, retail or service, despite the past two years and practically because of supply chains, our local Ponca City companies are on a growth pattern. Why? Well, think about you as a consumer. You buy more local. Why? Because your friends and families have local businesses you want to support. Another reason is proximity. Most of us don't want to travel very far from home. And think about all those gardens we planted over the last two years and how many local farmers have received support in their endeavors. Manufacturers have to make stuff and U.S. companies are buying local; retailers have to sell stuff and the local consumer is buying closer to home and service wise, here in Ponca CIty we have some great service providers. Small business owner, pat yourself on the back for all your hard work. And you, consumers, give yourselves a pat as well. Good job supporting local retailers. Stay tuned as PCDA continues to assist local business and industry to keep right on growing. GROWING THE NEXT WORKFORCE one student at a time. A local group of Soroptimist International sponsors a Dream It, Be It luncheon every month for 8th Grade girls. This week, 35 East Middle Schoolers ate some sandwiches and listened while PCDA staff gave information and answered questions on future job potential, City Central and Ponca City information in general. Want to know more about getting involved with this group? Find out more about local activities here. THE GREEN ECONOMY! yes that green: Marijuana. First the obvious. PCDA does not recruit or incentivize anything in this industry. This is not because we have made a judgement on the industry; PCDA is apolitical and makes no such judgements. It’s simply because we don’t need to recruit or provide incentives. Incentives are designed to encourage people to do things. This industry needs no encouragement. The impact from this new industry to an already tight workforce situation has been significant. It’s not just dispensaries, it’s grow operations outside the city (you cannot have a grow operation inside city limits). There are, at last count, close to 200 grow operations within 30 minutes of Ponca City and each of these requires people to work them. Numerous local businesses, including employers you might not think, have lost employees to jobs in the marijuana industry. It’s too soon to say how sustainable this all is but, for now at least, it presents a considerable challenge to local employers and a dampening impact for potential new employers in more traditional industries. LUNCH & LEARN TRAINING THE NEXT WORKFORCE One apprentice at a time. An engineering apprenticeship bachelor’s degree for rural students? Should we say more? We will at the Informational Lunch on March 3rd at City Central…. Find out more about this opportunity and hear from students in the program. UPCOMING EVENTS 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. Friday, Feb 25// Ponca Politics: Meet your Legislators // Noon-1pm City Commission Chambers - City Hall Meet our local government representatives. Great opportunity to ask your questions and get an update from our legislators. Friday, Feb 25 // Art Exhibition at The Doodle Academy // 5 to 7 pm Come check out local artists before the move at the Poncan. Friday, Feb 25th // Citizen Kane - Poncan Theatre // 7 & 9:30 pm You won't want to miss this classic movie shown in partnership with City Arts. Monday, February 28// Last day to turn in Ponca City Receipts to Chamber Drawing for winners is at 5 pm. Thursday, March 3 // Cash Mob at Lowe's // 11:30 am Come out and support local businesses with a cash mob. Buy if you can, but show your support by being there at 11:30 am  Friday, March 4th // Ladies Night on Grand // 5-8 pm Visit all the open shops on Grand and check out Grand Cafe for some snacks. Sponsored by Ponca CIty Main Street and all the Main Street supporters. Friday, March 11 // Spring PC Business Plan Pitch-off // Deadline March 1 Get those plans ready and submitted to participate in over $5000 in business incentives for your Ponca City start-up or next step. Call Kat for more details. 580.765.7070 klong@goponca.com Rental Property - Available Listings Visit our website ‌ ‌ ‌