October 8, 2021

10/8/2021

YES, THERE IS A SCHOOL BOND ELECTION TUESDAY…if you’re a fan of good schools and a strong local economy, Tuesday is a big day. An election for school bonds will be held and the outcome is very important to the Ponca City economy. PCDA, like Ponca City Public Schools, is a public agency and we cannot, therefore, take a position in the election. That’s a legal thing. Here’s an economic thing: Good schools equal strong economies, increased property values, more growth as families seek areas with the best schools, better jobs and higher wages. This is not an endorsement cause we’re not allowed to endorse. YES…we wish we could endorse but we can’t. YES…there is a direct correlation between school quality and a higher quality of life. YES…we are aware that the proposed bond would not increase taxes. Nevertheless, PCDA follows the law and the law says we can only encourage people to vote not tell them how to vote. So here goes: YES…we think you should (please) VOTE ON TUESDAY!!!!

NEXT WEEK!.....is the last Business on the Balcony for 2021. Make sure you hit the Balcony on Tuesday, October 12th.

7 to 8:30 am. Find out about FREE business resources, the upcoming Pitch-off to grow your business and meet local business owners.

Grab a little breakfast and meet with Chamber staff, PCDA staff, Pioneer Tech people or any number of other businesses in our community.

THE NOVEMBER PITCH-OFF.... is just around the corner for those with a great business idea or an existing business ready to get to the next level. Maybe you are an inventor or product developer ready to launch the next big thing. We want YOU to write that business plan and pitch your idea to our group of judges on Friday, November 12. Business Plans need to be submitted by Monday, November 1st to be considered for this Pitch-off. Not ready? There will be another PItch-off in June of 2022.

Call Kat at 580.761.3028 or Ben Evans at 580.718.4262 to get started on your business plan writing. You will have access to a great online resource called LIvePlan to help you write and refine your plan. What are you waiting for? Your future is just a PITCH away!

Ian Freeman, the Welding Instructor at Pioneer Technology Center (blue shirt), Recently demonstrated to his welding students the merging of two technologies, welding and robotics. According to Freeman, “The Vectis robotic welding system will help fill the gap in the growing welder personnel shortage. It will also allow the skilled welder to focus on the more difficult and complicated weldments while the robot works on with repetitive production work.”

Freeman, who has been a welder for many years, commented on how easy and intuitive the system was to learn. Within 10 minutes, Freeman was running his first weld. After looking at his first weld, he smiled and said, “that’s cool and the weld is perfect.” Pioneer Tech and the PCDA are planning a small technology expo for local manufacturers showcasing the Vectis robotic welding, the Markforge 3D printer and the Keyence Laser Coordinate Measurement Machine. Stay tuned for date and time.

1 MILLION CUPS

Dearing House Presentation at 1MC

Participating in 1 Million Cups is a great way to meet, greet and find out all the deets about local small businesses and organizations in our community. Maggi Hutchason from Dearing House was the presenter this week with information about how a child advocacy case starts, is conducted and outcomes: communication, collaboration, cooperation. Teamwork for the support of the child is their goal at Dearing House.

If you have a few minutes, click here and watch Maggi give this engaging and informative presentation. Good questions at the end too!