October 29, 2021

Forward Together: Ponca City Development Authority

SENATOR BILL COLEMAN…was honored on Tuesday with an award from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for his leadership in updating statewide economic development incentive programs. These decades old programs were focused on an economy that were adopted back in the day and were not exactly up to modern standards. Senator authored legislation that will update the programs and help counties, cities, the companies themselves and economic development organizations like PCDA trying to use them. The award was presented during the monthly meeting of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce by Brent Kisling, the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC), and Brent Wright, the Legislative Liaison for ODOC (on the left).  In his remarks as he presented the award, Kisling called one of the Senator’s bills the “heaviest lift.” That is high praise legislative speak for a bill that is complex, difficult, not easily understood and politically challenging yet super important and one that ODOC has wanted for a long time. The ODOC leaders then joined the senator, Representative Ken Luttrell, Mayor Nicholson and representatives from PCDA and the Chamber for lunch before a tour of two Ponca City industrial facilities.    NETWORK DANGER! SAFEGUARD YOU COMPUTERS.....especially at work. As you hear more companies getting ransomed and "hacked", here are some tips to pass on to your employees to keep your computer network safe. Infection of a single device on your local network can compromise all local data. If you receive an unexpected email stating you need to update your account password, do not click a link in the email to go reset it. Open another browser and go to that website and reset the account there. The links embedded in the email are often spoofed to have you enter your account information into the bad guys’ system.. Any email with overly aggressive wording, poor grammar or spelling errors, very tight or urgent timelines, or requesting purchase of materials that can easily be turned into cash are most likely fraudulent. If you receive an email that seems to be from a contact you know and feels out of character, be wary of any attachments, links, or requests. Just don't click. Send a new email to that person confirming the first email or call them. Better safe than sorry. Make sure your organization has solid backup strategies in place for all data, and is following best practice guidelines for firewall use and Antivirus software. Seriously consider implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) wherever possible to prevent unauthorized access in case of a compromised password. MORE TIPS: Here is a good link from the Federal Trade Commission that gives details and more tips. Be Safe out there. It is pretty scary in cyberville. HAPPY HALLOWEEN This is quality of life stuff right here. Goblins on Grand was fun last week. Thanks to all the businesses and organizations who were on Grand sponsoring games and handing out candy. Now welcome to Halloween weekend, after a pandemic. Pretty much every statement can be followed by ",after a pandemic." Here's some Halloween Activities for young and older. Crawloween from 4 until 1 am downtown and Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Poncan Theatre tonight at 8:00 pm and 11:30 pm respectively. "Hocus Pocus" is movie night Saturday, October 30th at the RecPlex. Movie starts at Dusk. Trick or Treat is Halloween night for the kiddos (young and old) so stop by the USW Union office at 1202 W. Ponca Ave for candy and to show off those costumes. HellSide Manor Haunted House is happening again this year on Halloween night. This is a free haunted house at 1116 S. 9th Street, but be ready to wait in line for awhile. Bring friends. It is a fun time. Be safe and Happy Halloween! SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO TRAVEL.....to get some quality time with your business partners. Ponca City industries were at the Wichita Industrial Tool show this week. Stuart Powell (Cookshack) and Kirk Brown (K&C Manufacturing) got some time to discuss a project their companies are working on together while walking the show. Known in some circles as serious multitasking! Tuesday, Nov 2 // Pitch Off Business Plan Deadline // City Central Get your business plan submitted to pitch on Friday, November 12th for over $5000 in business incentives: office space, marketing, equipment and money for your company. Friday, Nov 5 // Main Street Fall Ladies Night // 5-9 pm Up and down Grand. Participating businesses will be open during the evening. Bring a friend or five! Food, drinks and fun! Wed, Nov 10 // Copyright & Trademark for Artists // City Central Art is big business. Learn how to protect your income with the Lunch & Learn presentation on copyright & trademark by Patent Attorney Chad Hinrichs. 11:30 to 12:30. Lunch is provided. Call to reserve your seat. 580.765.7070 Thurs, Nov 11 // PCDA Board of Trustee Meeting // City Central 7:30 am in the Gravity Room Friday, Nov 12 // Business Plan Pitch-off // City Central Business plans will be pitched to a group of three judges in this Shark-Tank format. Find out more by calling Kat at 580.761.3028. Nov 12-21 // Ponca Playhouse Presents: The Humans by Stephen Karam Tickets will be available online November 1, 2021 at PoncaPlayhouse.com Nov 18-21 // Evans Children's Academy Presents Winnie the Pooh. You will want to take everyone to see this family classic. Tickets available online and at the door. Nov 25-26 // Happy Thanksgiving! // City Central City Central will be closed to the public these two days. Have a fantastic Turkey Day. Rental Property - Available Listings Mark your calendar for Oct 29th for PC first annual Crawloween. Get dressed up in your favorite costumes. Gather up with your favorite guys and ghouls and do the PC Entertainment district pub crawl. @theaxeholepc, @astoriablvd_ponca, @thegrandcigarlounge and @vab2016 will be your Crawloween destinations. Visit our website ‌ ‌ ‌