June 10, 2022

6/10/2022

GET ALONG LIL DOGGIES....... While PCDA staff continue to get several building projects ready to break ground, the 101 Rodeo is in town this week breaking some horses and steers much to our little cowboy hearts delight. This fun weekend has been happening since its founding in 1960. This is a City thing in a big country way. Different months, shorter (and longer) times but essentially, this is a historic weekend. Find out all things 101 Rodeo here and staff will see you at the 101 Rodeo Grounds.

Also happening this week was the always exciting PCDA Board of Trustee Meeting, Dorada Foods celebrating being in Ponca City, a retirement party and more things workforce and industry related. You don't want to miss out, so keep reading!

City Central and Community Development

Lori Henderson, CEcD

Lori runs the City Central building which is a 75,000 sf office building with multiple meeting space capabilities in downtown Ponca City. City Central boasts a co working space called the Link with plug and play capacity, a conference center called the Summit which can seat up to 600 people at events, and a makerspace open to tenants. City Central is home to multiple public art installations which promote the beautification and community pride of Ponca City.

DORADA FOODS CELEBRATES…10 years in Ponca City! Monday night the Marland Mansion was the place to be and Laurence and David were there to celebrate with our Dorada friends. Pictured here with Pancho Gonzalez and Ed Lopez, CEO of Lopez Foods. Ed took a chance on a closed Tyson plant in Ponca City back in 2011 and the rest is history. Congratulations to 10 years in Ponca CIty, many millions of McNuggets and over 700+ employees! Cheers to many more years and growth to Dorada in Ponca City.

RETIREMENT PARTY.....this week for Dr. Robert Howard. You may know him from his SHRM Leadership time, or his HR Management at all the iterations of Tyson Meats prior to Dorada Foods in 2011 or from his time at PIoneer Technology Center first as a Board Member for 20 years and then as Incubator Manager in Business Services. Staff is sure of one thing: we all know Robert. His retirement party this week was well attended and he was sent off with many well wishes and handshakes. And the most amazing commemorative t-shirt quilt. Enjoy retirement Robert. We know you will stay busy.

FOND FAIRWELLS......continued at the PCDA Board of Trustees meeting yesterday as our favorite Cowboy Lee Evans hung up his PCDA Chairman hat. Lee has been instrumental in PCDA's success as Ponca City's economic development arm by championing existing company growth programs such as the Trade Show Brigade and the Shared Equipment program in the AIP. This is the second time Staff have thanked Lee for his leadership and we hope he remembers us fondly as he rides off into the sunset. Thank you Lee for sharing your time and talents.

OKCONNEX..... has been enhanced. Join the Manufacturing Alliance next Wednesday, June 15, and get a look at the new user interface of Connex Oklahoma. The online walk-through is set for 11 a.m. CT.

Connex Oklahoma is a unique online database tool developed by the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The free platform allows manufacturers to connect, find alternate suppliers, explore production capabilities, and view their supply chain visually. Just as important, it also helps manufacturers identify single-supplier risks, and find opportunities for diversification in their supply chain.

If you haven't confirmed your Connex Oklahoma profile, do it today: Connex Oklahoma Website