May 5, 2023

5/5/2023

CONNECTION AND COLLABORATION....... is a new way of looking at competition. Used to be, everyone was competing: With sales. With Customers. With each other. If a worldwide pandemic has taught us anything, it is communities need connection and collaboration to succeed. Ponca City industries regularly work with each other, collaborating on projects, to land bigger contracts and introduce large companies to the Ponca City model. Because that is what it is: A model of collaboration and connection which has been fostered by PCDA, Pioneer Technology Center Business and Industry, The City of Ponca City, our education system and local civic groups as well as state and federal partners who have the luck to work with the best group of industry leaders, bar none.

In our humble opinion, manufacturing, agriculture, food production, health and energy, which are Ponca City's top five industries, thrive because of connection, sharing of information, collaboration on projects and participating in community events. And PCDA is not alone in this thought. Ponca City Main Street brought home awards this week from the State (keep reading). A local citizen participated in Miss Indian World in Albuquerque. 22 businesses gathered during lunchtime at PoHi to recruit employees (graduating seniors) and student interns as well as a local celebrating their five year milestone. This is community. This is connection and collaboration. This is Ponca City.

This is the Trade Show Brigade. Several local manufacturers collaborating at the Design 2 Part Show to bring Ponca City contract manufacturing to new and existing companies.

Precision Tool/Cadrex; Source Fabrication; K&C Manufacturing and Moonlight Machine.

OKLAHOMA MAIN STREET.....awards were this week. And staff doesn't want to brag....Who are we kidding? Staff loves to brag on our partners, especially when PCDA staff are on said partners Board. Ponca City Main Street was well represented, vying for top prize with 13 nominations in 11 different categories. Of the 23 award categories, Ponca City projects, people and companies received the following five awards: Farm House Kids Co. won for Best New Business 2023; My Media Matters won for Best Adaptive Reuse under $25,000 and Ice on the Plaza won for Outstanding Community Engagement Effort, Best Creative Fundraising Efforts and Premiere Special Event with over 1000 Attendees. Congratulations to all who support, volunteer, sponsor and participate in the Ponca City Main Street success!

FIVE YEARS..... in business is a huge milestone for any small business. It says "you survived and your business thrived". The Doodle Academy is celebrating this milestone today. Imagine starting your business and in anticipation of your two year business anniversary, the world stops for a pandemic. A celebration is definately in order. Stop by the Doodle at 2 pm today to give them a "Good Job" and check out all the arty stuff they do for our community and for Ponca Citians creativity! And if you are a marketing type, The Doodle is seeking a new employee for their creative customer outreach. So take your resume with you and drop it off.

B ON THE B.... is next Tuesday. This is a morning networking event on the Balcony at City Central. What? You haven't made time to attend? Business on the Balcony is a chance to connect with other business owners in the community. If you are new to the community, or you know someone new to Ponca City, invite them to swing by anytime between 7 and 9 am. This is a come and go event and people new to our little part of paradise may need to find their tribe. We can help. There is something for everyone at B on the B.

Flower And Blossom Letter Building Word Congratulations

STEPPING OUTSIDE YOUR BOX.......is hard for many people. Meet Nadia Kent, a Ponca Tribe member who decided to participate in Miss Indian World. She filled out the application, sat her family down and said "I'm doing this" and spent last week in Albuquerque representing her White Eagle community. She participated in Interview, Talent and Public Speaking. Along with mostly Canadian and United States tribes, seven tribes were represented from Oklahoma. Nadia is still waiting for her results and scores. But after participating in this type of competition, staff believes there is no one better to represent the young leaders of the Ponca Tribe than Nadia! City Central is proud to have service offices in the building for both the Ponca Tribe and Kaw Nation.

CONGRATULATIONS...... to the 36th class of Ponca City Leadership graduates. These 20+ new Leadership grads are the future City Commissioners, business owners (if not already), maybe even a future Mayor in their midst. If you are interested in being part of this leadership tradition, the 37th class application is available now from the Chamber office.

Best of luck. Staff sees greatness in your future. This was their first picture together. They look so young. Special thank you to the Quad Chairs: Corbin Dewitt, Brook Lindsay, Luke Garrison and Natalie Fraser.

Internship and Career fair at the High School this week. 22 local employers made connections with graduating students, and future junior and senior students for part time jobs and internship placements. There were over 400 students through the lunch periods, and each employer left with glowing reviews of outcomes that they see coming down the pipeline with this connection.