March 15, 2024

3/15/2024

Friday | March 15, 2024

This Week

PCDA Board of Trustees monthly meeting was this week with information shared about PoHi internships and Kay County job openings (941 to be exact), tradeshows and career fairs, employment tax credit programs for businesses as well as the return of Business on the Balcony and a few updates on possible, and not so possible, projects in the Airport Industrial Park. (insert mysterious background music)

In the month of February, PCDA staff shook hands with 36 new industries, visited existing industries 118 times, played nice with 18 government types and eight consultants and chatted with 19 small business owners or entrepreneurs (yes there is a difference). There were two new leads for a total of four projects. City Central was hopping with staff touring, contracting or eventing with 115 contacts. Whew! Talk about a leap year.

The John McNeese Gallery in the Lobby area of City Central is hosting its membership show March 14 through April 12, so drop in during Spring break next week if the kids need some art in their lives. Did we say Spring Break? Yup, so everyone be on the lookout for kids on skateboards, bikes and scooters on our streets and sidewalks next week; Can't risk injuring any of our future Ponca CIty workforce!

Ponca City Showcases Manufacturing

PCDA has a goal at tradeshows: to own the show. The Design 2 Part show in Dallas is a contract manufacturing show. This means people and companies attending this show are seeking manufacturers to make stuff for them: widgets to large parts, welded to formed, and in all types of materials. After seven years of working this show, Ponca City is consistently sought out by companies and entrepreneurs. It's like we have a reputation for innovation.

This year the Ponca CIty booth had representatives from Centerline, K&C Manufacturing and Bowers Logistics. Laurence and Johnny T were representing and answering questions about all the other contract manufacturers located in Ponca City. Some past participants in this show include Custom Mechanical Equipment, Source Fabrication, Century Products and Precision Tool & Die. These companies rock this show and staff is sure there will be more contracts coming to Ponca City from their time spent at D2P! If you are interested in participating in a Trade Show Brigade, give Laurence a call at the office and chat. 580.765.7070.

Workready Community

The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce was busy this week with several ribbon cuttings. Work Ready Oklahoma is a new tenant on the Third floor of City Central and they had a crush for their ribbon cutting Thursday. This employment education initiative, brought to our community by Pioneer Technology Center, is made possible through funding from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The Work Ready Oklahoma office helps people gain independence and provide financially for their family and future through quality employment.

People have the opportunity to work with job coaches and learn skills such as resume building and interviewing. This is a program to train and develop skills to get people to their next, best job and career. Work Ready Oklahoma in Ponca City can be emailed here or call their office at 580.718.4237 if you have questions. Hannah, Fae, Cena and Dondi are ready to assist. Welcome to City Central!

Business on the Balcony Returns

Business on the Balcony is set to return on Tuesday, April 9th. And yes, staff is posting this way early because we know how busy small businesses and entrepreneurs can get in the spring. Or anytime.

B on the B is an early-in-the-day networking meet-up. A come and go event from 7 to 9 am, business owners, people new to the community as well as representatives from organizations and businesses take a few minutes before their days get crazy, to grab some breakfast and chat with fellow businesspeople. On the Balcony.

If you haven't made it to one yet, get this on your calendar. If you know someone new to our community, forward the flyer below. All are invited, but the early person gets breakfast. Coffee is always available. We just make more. See you the second Tuesday of every month April through September for Business on the Balcony.