March 31, 2023

3/31/2023

FINDING FUNDS.....for new projects or expansions in manufacturing and industry can be difficult. Creating a better widget is just the first step. Then there is prototyping, casting or manufacturing, testing and then finally getting said widget to market with enough products to keep up with demand, which may mean a building expansion. Throw in a world wide pandemic, and wowser, businesses could use a little assistance. Enter the Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program (OIEP). Staff were excited to share information on this program earlier in the month with 10 companies, but we also promised to remind everyone to apply. Here is your reminder.

The OIEP program has a short application window; April 3-14 at this link. Now it won't be live until Monday, but then it is only live until April 14. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce Representative Jeremy Stoner shared his slides with staff and you can view all the information here in PDF format. Highlights to apply for this program include a minimum payroll of $625,000 per year and at least $50,000 capital investment in an Oklahoma facility. This funding is for "New Projects" so don't submit something already in process. No double dipping in OK Quality Jobs or Investment Tax Credits and a few more eligibility guidelines which can be found on page 3.

Two local companies have been approved for this program in past years, and staff encourages industry and manufacturers to fill out the application. All they can say is no. But then again, you might qualify for $25,000 plus for your project/expansion/capital investment. The bigger the project, the higher the funding. Go big.....

CALLING ALL BUSINESSES.....seeking interns for 2023-24 school year. The Internship/Career Fair is happening on May 2nd, 10:45 to 12:30 pm at the High School. Internships are a great way to identify, coach and relate to the next generation of workers. Sign up for the Internship Career Fair here or contact Jordan Jackson-Gross at 580.718.4878 to get an intern assigned to your location for the 2023-24 school year.

CITYWIDE....clean up week is just around the corner, April 22 -29. This includes the City wide garage sale on Earth Day, April 22nd and the Great Day of Service. Find out more about City wide events here.

GREAT DAY OF SERVICE..... is scheduled on the first Sunday of City Wide clean up here in Ponca City. This is a 10th Anniversary event where volunteers in Ponca City work to clean up yards and properties for free in underserved areas of town. Last year (2022) we improved 146 households with a team of 625 volunteers! The City of Ponca City received 66.4 TONS of material from the curbside just from our work. Phillips 66 and other local businesses are providing support and informing employee resource groups of this opportunity. Interested employees can sign up at a participating church. Release form is here and to find a local church to sign up contact Ryan Hampl, Great Day of Service coordinator for P66 and Life Center in Ponca City. ryan.hampl@gmail.com. Cell 785.787.3604.

BUSINESS ON THE BALCONY...returns to City Central on Tuesday, April 11 from 7 to 8:30 am. On the PCDA office Balcony. This is your chance to do a little networking and grab some breakfast with 30 to 40 of your best new work associates. Open to anyone interested in networking for partners, business, organizations or looking to meet some other early risers.

You are invited. Full schedule is listed below. Mark your calendar for every second Tuesday, April thru October for a little B on the B.