March 4, 2022

3/4/2022

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES…..

And we are proud to say Ponca City has all these (at least passing through) our fabulous city. There is a push on the trains (passenger and freight) so keep reading for more information and how you can assist. The airport received a runway extension last year and you may notice larger planes landing and leaving. The first Saturday Fly In Breakfast at the airport returns on April 2nd, so make sure to head out and show your support. And of course, automobiles. Autos make it possible for us living 90 minutes from everywhere to get, well, anywhere; and with auto electronic chips being somewhat scarce, you better be taking care of your existing vehicles.

You will notice the price of gas at the pumps going up, but that is a good thing for Oklahoma and Texas. As a consumer, we can waffle on how we feel on paying at the pump. But the price of crude oil going up with a refinery in our locale is still a positive. Maybe bikes should be added to this list of transportation. FreeWheel anyone?

TRAINS!

You are likely aware of the potential for train service to Ponca City via the “Heartland Flyer.” These things take a lot of time but, more importantly, they require your help. A former U.S. Senator once said of Washington DC, “Everything in Washington is politics. If it’s good government, well, that’s just a coincidence.” Politics is not all bad, however, despite what you’ve read online. At it’s core, politics means that more folks want it than don’t. So if Ponca City wants the Heartland Flyer, we need to let DC know. The “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” is a mechanism the feds use to “identify rail corridors” To make a long story short, the Feds are seeking comments on new rail service corridors…and they want them soon.

So here is how you can help: Click on this link. It will take you to a page filled with lots of guvment talk. Simply click on the “Submit a Formal Comment,” the green box on the upper right side of the page. This will bring up a box in which you can make comments. You can also see what others have said if you want a little guidance on what to say. A simple “We need rail!” is probably not going to be that effective. Something with a little more substance is helpful. Here’s the catch: They need the comments by COB next Wednesday, March 9^th.

PLANES!

Maybe you have noticed larger/different planes landing/taking off from our airport. This is a very good thing. Many pilots love our little airport: a little TexMex restaurant really draws them in once they know about it. We love you Enrique's. Like everyone else, Enriques has had a hard couple of years.If you find yourself around the airport, show Enrique's some love and have some puffy chips while you watch the planes utilizing the new runway.

AUTOMOBILES!

A caravan of autos heading to Texas from Ponca City happened on Tuesday. Why? Design 2 Part show in Arlington. A record five PC companies are participating in the show this year. Over 10,000 buyers and companies seeking contracts attend.Ponca City has been representing at this show for five years and it just keeps getting better!

The Ponca City footprint at the show this year is 500 square feet of manufacturing expertise in plastics, metals, molds, HVAC, battery storage, welding and more. Good luck to our companies and happy hunting for the next contracts.

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