October 13, 2023

10/13/2023

Friday | October 13, 2023 (corrected)

Chuck Norris Doesn't Sleep

…HE WAITS…or so the joke goes. That could be said for the way companies usually consider new facilities and/or new locations. They are not like candidates who parade around the country seeking headlines, sound bites, photo ops or clicks. Oh no, companies play their cards much closer to the vest and they only play them when they are ready. We tell you this because the latest, greatest PCDA spec building, “Duke” is just a couple of weeks away from being ready. PCDA has been asked if companies are lining up for Duke, but that’s not how companies operate.

PCDA has let over 120 companies know, so far, about the new building. Mind you, this includes companies that we know are looking for something (there is a thing called “business intelligence”…just don’t tell anyone) as well as those that we think would be a good fit for Duke and Ponca City. But, like Chuck Norris, they wait. Please also don’t misunderstand the waiting thing either. We are not suggesting that there are companies watching Duke ready to pounce when the building is done. Companies rarely work like that. Keep in mind that a building like Duke is going to be good for a mid-sized company, not a huge mega corporation that has excess staff people who have nothing better to do than focus on long term planning. It might also surprise some to know that companies are not in business to employ people or help communities. They make a product or provide a service, and 125% of their time is focused on that.

Moving to a new building is something businesses are not thinking about, unless it becomes super dupper necessary. Most businesses avoid moving because it’s big time disruptive. When the decision is made to move and they absolutely need to find a new building, they are only going to look for a building that is ready; not one that will be. It would be unusual for there to be a line for a spec building. In fact, the nationwide average is about four years from the completion of a spec building until a tenant moves in. We don’t think Duke will take that long to get adopted. The fun starts when it’s completed and that should be by the end of this month.

Collaboration, Co-work & Canva

The next First Fridays in the Link here at City Central will be a lunchtime class with Brook Lindsay on using Canva.com. This free platform can elevate your social media and print posts for your business, your community or your hobbies. Make sure you RSVP to save your spot. The class is filling up fast. Click here to sign up now.

December's Link Coworking will be on Friday, December 1st with some Donuts & Dilemmas. Looking for information or the answer to that hard question? Head over to City Central anytime between 8 and 11 am December 1st. Grab a donut and let PCDA staff and friends assist with solving those business dilemmas and finding answers to your quesitons..

And make sure to mark Friday, January 5th on your calendar for Free Coworking Day at City Central. Bring your laptop, schedule a meeting or just get some work done in The Link anytime that day. Coffee, wifi and collaboration!

Telling Your Success Story

National APEX Day was yesterday at Pioneer Technology Center Business & Industry building. This day was to celebrate small business success in the government marketplace. Kevin Baker, owner of Baker Material and Supplies shared his success story of growing his business with assistance from APEX Accelerator Coordinator Dawn Brakey using the information found in the Plan Bid Room.

"I built my business one client at a time over the last 10 years. Having the same type of access to building plans and bid documentation as you would in a larger market, makes me extremely competitive. Local availability to this type of data means I can work and live right here in Ponca City." Now that's a success story. Find out more about government contracting or the Plan Bid Room by contacting Dawn Brakey, 580.718.4261.

Tell Your Business Story at 1 Million Cups

Make plans to attend the Hispanic Heritage Festival right here at City Central this Sunday, 3 to 8 pm. This free event is hosted by the Hispanic Oklahoma Latino Association (HOLA) and made possible by many local business and industry sponsors. Watch the video from last years event.

These types of community events create what staff likes to call "stickiness" in our community. People stay in communities where they feel welcome and accepted. This event is open to the public. There will be volunteers able to answer questions in English and Spanish, so bring the whole family to City Central this Sunday. Come for the food; stay for the fun.