January 26, 2024

1/26/2024

Friday | January 26, 2024

Special Recognitions

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.

All have ties to Ponca City and David, but this is a picture of some of Oklahoma's best economic developers. Lt to Rt: Lyle Roggow, President Duncan Area EDO; Tim Burg, Economic Director at Moore Norman Technology Center; David Myers, CEcD PCDA Exec Director; Brian Thorstenberg, CEcD VP for Economic Development at Tulsa Regional Chamber and Jeff Seymour, CEcD, Executive VP, Economic Development at Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.

HOLA

tacos in mexico_ mexican food_ tacos al pastor

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.

SBA Lunch & Learn

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.

Upcoming PCDA Job Fair

PCDA is hosting a job fair at City Central on Wednesday, January 31st, 11-4 pm. With The Workforce Ponca City office and Work Ready Oklahoma in the building, this job fair promises to connect you with resources such as resume building, training and access to employers eager to hire.

Bring your resume if you have one. Resume assistance will be available for those needing to update or create a resume. Rusty on your interviewing skills? Current HR questions and some possible answers will be available as well. Make time to visit City Central in The Link on Wednesday, January 31st. Employers include Garaga, Petsense, Bowers Trucking, Kanza Human Development, Dorada Foods, Kaw Nation and more.