September 23, 2022

9/23/2022

“YOU AGAIN???”...This week, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the largest association of economic development experts, organizations, government types and camp followers held their big annual conference. At this conference, they gave out awards to the top economic development programs among their 5,000 members. These ceremonies are a lot like the Oscars with different categories and winners in each category. At one point during the ceremony, the MC turned to one of the winners coming onto the stage to accept an award and said “You again?” Seems this organization was a repeat offender and was making a lot of trips to the stage.

As you may have guessed, that question was directed at PCDA. So here is a cold hard fact: PCDA won more awards this year than anyone else…period, drop the mic.

Fact two: PCDA won more awards than all other Oklahoma economic development organizations combined.

Fact three: Four of the six were gold (yes, like the Olympics) and two were silver, meaning these were top awards, category killers if you will, not just honorable mentions.

The Gold medals awarded to PCDA were in major categories such as Business Retention and Expansion, Small Business Development and two in Workforce Development (Ponca Works). The two Silvers were in marketing categories, which is as close to awards for recruitment as the IEDC gets, so the recognitions were pretty much across the board. Does this matter? Beyond the point of pride which one hopes the community feels for having the most honored economic development organization in (at least) the state, these awards are an in-your-face, not to be ignored statement to site consultants, federal funding agencies, decision makers and others who need to be convinced that there is a reason, six reasons this year alone, to look at Ponca City.

IN THE AIP.....while staff were off being rockstars and collecting awards, the Cookshack building project got some sticks in the air. Nothing more exciting than watching a new building going up in the Airport Industrial Park. The Duke project is closer to getting its own sticks as crews finished up water lines and continue to prep the building pad for concrete. Check out that blue sky background!

LAST FRIDAY......City Central played host to the First Annual Hispanic Festival with over 400 of our favorite Ponca Citians. It was a party and celebration that will not soon be forgotten. Thanks to local business sponsors P66, Cherokee Strip Credit Union, Dorada Foods, The PC Chamber, THe Ponca City Library and the planning committee, this first event was a rousing success. If you missed it, mark your calendars for September 15 to October 15th, 2023. For now, enjoy some pictures.

BUSINESS START UPS

YOUR TIME IS NOW.....to start your small business. The Fall Ponca City Business Plan Pitch-off is just around the corner. Writing the business plan can be a daunting process.But for Ponca City businesses there are free resources available . Deadline for business plans is November 2nd. For more information,click here or call Kat at 580.761.3028

Watch this video from past Business Plan Pitchers on how this competition can help you launch, grow and run your small business.