 You might have heard of the Business Plan Competition Pitch-off that PCDA began in 2017 to offer incentives and support to start-up and young new businesses in Ponca City. PCDA Staff and Trustees are proud to announce another small business support program called PHASE II, which supports second-stage funding needs. Sunny Creek Trading Post, with the assistance of Janet Schwabe, the PTech Incubator Manager, applied for and received a grant from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry (ODAFF) to purchase new equipment. Here was the "but for" need that triggers many of the PCDA programs. The equipment had to be purchased up front and then the grant would reimburse the purchase price up to the amount of the grant, which was just north of $9,000.
If you are a small business start-up, in your first year of sales, you know that $900 dollars, let alone $9,000 up front for equipment is a heavy lift. Enter PHASE II. This program was designed and budgeted five years ago for just such a small business need. Working with a local bank, in this case RCB Bank's Vice President of Lending Jason Johnson, PCDA staff secured a $10,000 Certificate of Deposit for one year with PCDA funds. The small business, Sunny Creek Trading Post, had to apply for a bank loan for the amount needed with RCB Bank. The PCDA $10,000 CD is used to augment the businesses collateral and secure them the loan needed to purchase the equipment. Many small businesses bootstrap capital from family, friends and credit cards and never see the need (or want to complete all the paperwork) to apply for a loan from a local bank. One of the goals of PHASE II is to assist small businesses who have trepidation and misgivings about working with banks to see the benefits; These benefits include lower interest rates, building a relationship with local banks and investing that money into the community. "It takes a village and Sunny Creek Trading Post definitely is proud of the small business support here in Ponca City", stated Sunny Creek owner Liz Threlkeld. "From the support Sunny Creek receives at the Pioneer Technology Incubator Program, to PCDA and our store in City Central, I am still amazed everyday that this little idea I had two years ago continues to bloom and grow. Please come visit our store at City Central, Monday thru Friday, 10 am to 6 pm and let us share our story and products". Sunny Creek Trading Post will have the use of the $10,000 CD as collateral for one year to complete the payback of the loan. RCB Bank has a new customer and PCDA is able to assist a locally owned and run small business to grow to the next level. Special thanks to our partners at Pioneer Technology Center Business & Industry Services and the Incubator Support Staff and RCB Bank. They are amazing and we are so very lucky to have this type of small business support in a community our size. For more information about any PCDA small business and industry programs, please call the PCDA office and ask for Kat. 580.765.7070 or email [email protected].
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 OKLAHOMA INNOVATION & EXPANION PROGRAM (OEIP)
Monthly Cash Payments to help Oklahoma companies:
ELIGIBILITY
Online applications open March 31 – April 11 at https://www.okcommerce.gov/oiep/  Intern Joseph Lewis enjoys spending time in the Maker Space at PoHi’s Phillips 66 STEM building. Guided by STEM director Alicia Smith, he spends his internship creating, problem-solving, and “figuring things out.”
When asked if he ever gets frustrated, Joseph couldn’t think of an instance—despite troubleshooting a 3D printer issue while sitting on the floor. Diagnosis? Not yet. Plan? He and Ms. Smith would work one out, even if it meant taking the printer apart. Many would find this frustrating, but not Joseph. “I have zero complaints. It’s perfect. I spend hours doing projects that help the school without worrying about extra homework. What could be better?” In his second and final year with the Wildcat Internship Program, Joseph knows the Maker Space well. He can give you a tour, explain 3D modeling software, and showcase laser-cut and 3D-printed creations, like a small boat with an outboard engine. One of his biggest projects was laser cutting QR codes for photos of Ponca City’s Hall of Fame Alumni, linking each to a digital biography—a creative way to honor their legacies while learning advanced STEM skills. Mid-tour, Joseph recalls a frustrating moment involving printer settings, filaments, and “tk, tk, tk” sounds. “It was on the lowest setting when I should’ve turned it up—basically my fault,” he laughs. “That was a little annoying.” For a student who started with no experience, Joseph’s internship has offered countless opportunities to learn valuable STEM skills and master the art of “figuring things out”—an essential trait for today’s workforce. Every dollar spent in Ponca City is an investment in our community. When you shop at a local store, eat at a Ponca City restaurant, or hire a local service provider, you’re not just making a purchase—you’re fueling the local economy.
Studies show that dollars spent locally circulate multiple times, creating a ripple effect of economic benefits. Local businesses hire Ponca City residents, pay local taxes, and support community events. Those dollars then go toward city services, schools, and infrastructure, making Ponca City a better place to live and work. Compare that to shopping online or out of town—those dollars leave our community and don’t come back. By choosing local first, we ensure that our economy remains strong and that businesses continue to grow, create jobs, and reinvest in Ponca City. At PCDA, we work to support local businesses and attract new opportunities, but the real power lies with you—the consumer. Next time you need a gift, a meal, or a service, think local. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about strengthening the community we all call home. Let’s keep Ponca City thriving—one purchase at a time! |
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