September 22, 2023

9/22/2023

Friday | September 22, 2023

Recruiting the Next Workforce

Staff was everywhere this week. The International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the PCDA mothership, had its annual conference in Dallas and staff attended to get ethical (keep reading) and catch up with our fellow economic development professionals. Yesterday, was the Ferguson College of Agriculture Career Fair at Oklahoma State University. PCDA and Log10 were there to chat with the next few years of workforce seeking gainful employment (and some Freshmen). Some of these students were true go-getters. Staff told them internships with local companies would be available Summer of 2024. If your company is thinking about summer interns, reach out to Liz in the PCDA office. These students want to work in food and ag industries. We have those industries here in Ponca City. Some of these students were our perfect Ponca City demographic: married with children

Staff continues to work on the everyday projects including showing office space to new City Central tenants, assisting industry to streamline their processes, iron out supply chain issues, finish up Spec Building Duke and connect companies for collaboration opportunities. Other volunteer projects that lend themselves to the economic engine are City Arts Festival this weekend, MuralFest 2024, the upcoming Hispanic Heritage Festival, Ponca Con, Ice on the Plaza, The Business Plan Pitch-off and remote worker recruitment. Ponca City didn't install all that broadband to home for the gamers, though we know they appreciate it!

Ethics Make the World Go Round

Ethics is an important subject in many businesses. But for economic development, it is the holy grail. Because ethical practices truly make or break the next recruitment, incentive deal or expansion. Staff attending the IEDC this week attended a two hour ethics training. This isn't the first and won't be the last. Again, ethics count.

Especially when public funds and trust are concerned. Along with 100 of our closest colleagues, staff were crammed into a room that might have been too small. But with only standing room left, all these economic developers hashed out some in depth ethics questions. Two hours flew by. Need some ethics training? Give the office a call. David does a great training class.

Entrepreneurial Skill Sets

Are you an entrepreneur and don't know it? Let's chat. The Fall Business Plan Competition is fast approaching. Deadline to submit business plans is November 1. Maybe you have a great idea that needs some bones. Business Plan can do that. Or you have an existing business, but need some structure and next steps. Business planning will get you to the next level. And staff (Kat) knows business plans sound hard. And time consuming. And basically impossible. But fear not. There is no bad business plan; there are only unfinished business plans. Business planning means you are putting all that information you carry around in your head on paper. Or in a computer. And, once it is formatted, you can enter the competition to win $5000. Most small businesses can be started with less than $2000.

How do you get started? Click here and get your answers to these basic questions down in your phone; in a notebook or on your computer. These are the basics. Then, call Kat and she can assist you to get some pricing, marketing and needs assessments completed. Viola. You are halfway to finishing your business plan. Promise. Your business idea deserves a plan. Want to talk to someone who has gone through the process? Check out Paws on the Pavement, Aesthetic State of Mind, Gamemaster's Guild, The Grand Cigar and Lounge or drop by Nena Tacos. All of these businesses and more have participated in the competition. What are YOU waiting for?

Finding Your Next Customer

PCDA has an award winning program called The Trade Show Brigade. PCDA identifies a tradeshow that can benefit several companies in Ponca City. Then staff reaches out to see if there is interest from those companies in the tradeshow. Staff is tickled to announce a group of Ponca City companies will be attending a government contracting show, ICBS, October 22-25 in Oklahoma City at Metro Technology Center.

Bowers Trucking, My Media Matters and Redlands Office Supply are all certified to contract with government entities including local, state, federal and Tribal. Schatz Publishing, whose business is based on government contracting in Blackwell, will also be hanging out with the PC Crew. This is a great turnout for a new Trade Show Brigade. If your company has a trade show that fits with any of the target industries here in Ponca City, reach out to our office and let's chat. Target industries include: food and agriculture manufacturing, contract manufacturing, energy, back office (including government contracting) and distribution. Special thanks to Dawn Brakey, the local government contracting APEX guru at Pioneer Technology Center Business Services for brainstorming this opportunity into existence.

Congratulations are in order

A special congratulations to Winterrowd Talley Architects for their American Institute of Architects Peoples Choice Award on the Keller Williams famous barn rebuild. If you took a few minutes and voted for this project, good job. Supporting our local businesses for these types of recognitions strengthens the Ponca City reputation. And if you haven't taken a tour of the Keller Williams location on Lake Road, get over there. It is magnificent!