May 6, 2022

5/6/2022

CELEBRATING US.....economic developers to be specific. All of those who support growth and change for the Ponca City economy. Whether you are a volunteer or get paid or a little of both, we salute those actively engaged in developing a stronger, more robust, long lasting economy right here in Ponca City. PC is no longer a company town; we are a town of many companies. That is diversification. So sit back and take a look at some of our success stories right here in Ponca City. But first, a little background on this thing we call Economic Development Week and make sure to check out our latest"this is how we do it" video here.

Economic Development Week was created by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in 2016 to increase awareness of local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities, and improve the quality of life in communities everywhere. Over the span of five years, more than 450 campaigns have been created throughout the United States and Canada, creating millions of impressions, hundreds of news stories, blog entries, videos, events and other activities. Campaigns occurred in all 50 American states in 2019, with more than 40 communities officially proclaiming Economic Development Week. Though COVID slowed and in some cases, closed down all in person gatherings, technology has opened new doors for creativity, which economic development organizations such as PCDA have taken advantage of by creating and sharing videos, infographics, banners, and many other types of materials which were spread far and wide on social media, websites, and in print. Check out this very scientific video of PCDA's process of economic development.

BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION... is where PCDA shines. Just ask our companies like K&C Manufacturing, Precision Tool, Cookshack, CME, Source Fabrications, Health Country, Bliss Industries, and the list goes on and on. Some of the reasons are programs like the Industry Certification Assistance Program, or the Shared Equipment Space at Pioneer Tech or one of our favorite award winning programs, The Trade Show Brigade. This business to business networking and contracting opportunity for local contract manufacturers has brought several projects to Ponca City. Want more information? Check out the this article for more information or email lbeliel@goponca.com to ask your questions.

ECONOMIC GARDENING....is defined as growing your own business community. That includes entrepreneurs, workforce and industry. Business on the Balcony is a way to get people together to network and figure out next steps for business and employees. B on the B happens the second Tuesday of each month April through October. Make sure to attend next Tuesday, May 10th. It is come and go with a little bit of breakfast and whole lot of business. 7 to 8:30 am on the PCDA Balcony at City Central, 400 E. Central. Yes, we have a balcony. See you soon!

THE BIG GUYS....of economic development are the Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA). That's the numbers referred to on the right for the month of April. PCDA was the recipient of some of those funds back in 2017 for the City Central Project and the EDA continues to fund projects that can rejuvenate downtown areas or repurpose an abandoned manufacturing building all over the United States. You say you don't know about the City Central Project? Well, check out all the information here. And if you want a great article on what the EDA does, click here to read more.

MADE IN PONCA CITY......So many items are made in Ponca City. And thanks to programs like the Trade Show Brigade and Business Plan Pitch-Off, that number is growing. Whether it is food ag (thank you Head Country, Cookshack and Bliss Industries) or making a medical vacuum pump assembly that is 100% designed, manufactured, assembled and packaged right here in Ponca City, PCDA is proud to toot the horn and represent our industry folk. How about those garage doors or home vacuum systems? Staff could keep going, because it is Economic Development Week. We will continue these conversations next week when we dive into Small Business Month.

SEEKING CUSTOMERS..... Another area of economic development is identifying and finding new customers for our local companies. This keeps the economy churning and new money coming in from outside Ponca City. What if we told you that there is a HUGE amount of untapped customers (with funding) just waiting for you to reach out to them? And our partners at PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Centers) are going to show you how to access those contracts. Join Dawn Brakey, our local PTAC expert on Tuesday, May 17th here at City Central in Room 101 to find out how to get your company in front of these government buyers. Sign up now here for the May 17th Lunch & Learn from 11 to 1 pm.