July 21, 2023

7/25/2023

Friday | July 21, 2023

This Week at the PCDA Board of Trustees Meeting

Staff updated the PCDA Board of Trustees this week at the July meeting with 36 new industry contacts, 130 "How are you today?" visits with existing industry as well as 105 "What kind of building is this?" responses at City Central in the month of June. This being July, Staff presented some pretty awesome numbers on contacts for the year with existing companies (up from last year at 1,293) and new companies (also up at 537). These numbers are inline with previous year contacts with consultants, regional partners, government and of course, City Central. Projects nearing completion this week include City Central's HVAC project with the City, Spec Building Duke and The Emergency Resource Center/Police Station also contracted by the City. Other tidbits given were updates on Girl Power Camp (happening next week at City Central), workforce (workforce, workforce) and some not so great CNBC rankings for Oklahoma business, but as a state, we rank number five in the top ten cheapest states to live (insert shrug and sheepish grin here)

Have you hear the story of City Central? Maybe you are new to this newsletter and don't know the history.Well, click here to see the background on how this project came to be, the Federal Grant the City of Ponca City was able to secure for PCDA to complete renovations and see below for where City Central is now.

New Emergency Resource Center/Police Station

How's that for a before and after picture? PCDA is excited to attend the Ribbon Cutting and Open House for the new Ponca City Emergency Resource Center/Police Station on Monday, July 31st from 2 to 5 pm. As PCDA's neighbors to the south, staff have watched from the beginning as all the pieces have come together. Our emergency services and police officers deserve this state of the art and spacious building to protect and serve.

Make sure you make time to attend the ribbon cutting and tour the new facility. It is very cool. See you Monday, July 31st between two and five.

Have You Always Wanted to be Truck Driver

When you were young, did you want to drive big trucks? Maybe you still want to get behind the wheel of a bigger vehicle. Now is the time to check out this in-demand career. Pioneer Technology Center is starting enrollment for their next truck driving school. Rumor has it there might be a school for the younger set of 18 and older.

If you have an interest or want to ask some more questions, give Johnny Thornburg a call at Pioneer Tech. 580.718.4328 or click here to find out more details.

NOC Celebrates New Building for Renewable Energy Program

The development of the new Renewable Energy option and Precision Agriculture Program within the NOC STEM departments was made possible through a U.S. Department of Education Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution (NASNTI) grant project, Connecting Students to Promising Pathways. This five year grant will enable NOC to fully integrate renewable energy and precision agriculture on the Tonkawa Campus and expand the alignment of training and educating the next workforce for these industries in Oklahoma.

This was the first of many ribbon cuttings for new buildings to support these programs at all three NOC campuses. Congratulations to our NOC family for this great milestone. Cannot wait for the agriculture building to be open. Well attended ribbon cutting and everyone was excited for the next generation of students. Industry partners have already hired from the current graduate pool from these programs.

City Central Continues to Grow Companies

City Central Co-Work Space has been know to grow some companies. Have you heard of My Media Matters? Yup, they own their building on Grand now, but in 2019 they had Link #5. How about Cowboy Driving or Philo Solutions? Maybe you read about Aesthetic State of Minds Third Anniversary last week? All of them started their small business journey in The Link @City Central.

PCDA is proud to have the Kaw Nation, Ponca Tribe, PC Arts, Main Street and many others as tenants in City Central. As a Small Business Pitch-off winner,Sizzle Sauce Media is in Link #2 residence currently. Want to take a tour of City Central or just ask some questions about available office space? Give us a call at 580.765.7070 or just pick up the red phone located at the East and West desks in The Link. Yes, the red phone.

City Central is above 84% capacity with small to medium offices available. The Summit Conference Space in the Lower Level is currently booking for holiday parties and family celebrations as well as local and regional conferences. Capacity is 650 people in chairs and 350 at tables with a caterer's kitchen, tables, chairs and tablecloths part of the rental price. Find out more at CityCentralPC.com.