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One of PCDA's favorite months is May! Small business is the backbone of most economies; Especially in Ponca City. Only two companies exist locally that fall outside the small business definition. We love both of them, but May is to celebrate the other 95% of industry, retail and service small businesses. If you are a small business or an entrepreneur ready to take that next step, check out the flyers below for dates and times. What are you waiting for? Let's get going and start celebrating your next small business. National Small Business Month is a time to recognize the hard work, courage, and community efforts of small businesses. This month-long celebration highlights the importance of small businesses to the economy and local communities. Especially to small communities in a rural setting. It's a time to acknowledge the challenges and successes of small business owners, while also celebrating their role in driving innovation and job creation. Small Business Month includes seminars, networking opportunities, and events. Ponca City Main Street will partner with PCDA to host Tools for your Business in The Summit @City Central on Tuesday, May 6th from 5 to 7 pm. Pioneer Technology Business and Industry is hosting Lunch & Learn Workshops on May 13th and May 21st. See flyers below for more information and registration path. Small businesses are a vital part of the American economy, accounting for the vast majority of businesses and employing a significant portion of the workforce. The month-long celebration encourages consumers to shop local, support community businesses, and recognize the contributions of entrepreneurs. Past Business Plan Pitch-off Small Businesses still in the Ponca City Community include: Vortex Alley Brewing 2017 Pitch-off Participant Aesthetic State of Mind 2020 Pitch-off Champion Splash Co. Inc 2021 Pitch-off Spring Champion Nena Tacos 2021 Pitch-off Fall Champion The Alley 2022 Pitch-off Participant Paws on the Pavement 2023 Pitch-off Champion Under My Wing Academy 2024 Pitch-off Champion Sunny Creek Trading Post 2024 Pitch Off Participant
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Staff has hosted well attended focus sessions with partners, local leaders and the Ponca City Leadership Alumni over the past few months. And they have been great! The consensus from all the groups was Ponca City needs to keep moving forward; and all the great events, programs, recreation available here in Ponca City need a more effective platform. Everyone receives information differently: paper, media, reading, listening, word of mouth, etc... How does Ponca City let Ponca Citians know about their community? It starts with community, and we are not talking the community watch page! A good starting place if you want to get involved is happening in May. Mayor Wagner and Ponca City Commissioners are hosting two upcoming Town Halls about revitalization: Ponca City and Downtown Ponca City. This is a great way to get in on the ground floor of new Ponca City Projects and create a more cohesive community. If you want to become more involved, this will be the place. See below for more information. See you there!
 Ponca City Development Authority (PCDA) is proud to announce that its 39,000-square-foot spec building, known as “Duke,” has been leased to World Weidner, a leading retailer in the sewing, embroidery, quilting, and vinyl industries. The company took possession of the building this month and is currently planning internal systems and furnishing the space in preparation for relocation. This milestone reflects PCDA’s commitment to supporting local business growth through strategic development initiatives. World Weidner, founded by Oliver Weidner in 2005 in Blackwell, Oklahoma, relocated to Ponca City in 2009. After operating on Grand Avenue and later moving to Knight Street, west of Lowe’s, the company continued to experience significant growth. On April 10, the World Weidner team toured their new facility for the first time, expressing enthusiasm for the expanded space. The company, which currently employs 26 staff members, has outgrown its previous location, utilizing shipping containers for additional storage. The new 39,000-square-foot facility will provide ample space to accommodate current operations and future expansion. As the number one Brother dealer in the United States and the top Singer dealer worldwide, World Weidner is poised for substantial growth. “This move marks the beginning of significant further expansion for us,” said Oliver Weidner. “We anticipate doubling both our business and our staff in the coming years.” The lease of “Duke” underscores the success of PCDA’s spec building program, designed to provide move-in-ready facilities that enable local businesses to scale quickly. This program has been instrumental in attracting and retaining businesses in Ponca City. "The leasing of the Duke building to World Weidner exemplifies our mission to provide infrastructure that meets the needs of our local businesses,” said Lori Henderson, Executive Director of PCDA. “By constructing four spec buildings to date, PCDA has created opportunities for companies to establish and expand their operations in Ponca City.” To learn more about World Weidner’s products and industry leadership, visit their website at www.worldweidner.com. PCDA congratulates Oliver and his team (pictured above in their new BIGGER building) on this exciting new chapter and looks forward to supporting World Weidner’s continued success in their new home.  The PCDA Trustees approved the Childcare Certification Assistance Program (CCAP) for Ponca City Childcares at the April 10th, 2025 PCDA Board of Trustees Regular Meeting. This certification program will support Ponca City childcare facilities and homes as they pursue new state mandates for national certifications necessary to retain their State of Oklahoma Department of Human Services d(OKDHS) ratings. Programs that are accredited by a national accrediting body approved by OKDHS can receive a higher state Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). These national accreditation certifications were made mandatory by Governor Stitts' Emergency Order signed in March, 2025.
This program is currently only for childcare facilities & homes that are located in Ponca City or receive utilities from the City of Ponca City. For those facilities and homes in Kay County, PCDA continues to collaborate with other organizations to try to provide funding support for them to defray the national certification fee costs. The CCAP will provide national certification fee assistance up to $2,000 for qualifying Ponca CIty childcare facilities. PCDA has $10,000 allotted for this program through June, 2025. There will be another allocation for this program in the PCDA Budget for 2025-2026 depending on need and feedback from Ponca City childcare facilities and homes. Ponca City childcares are encouraged to submit applications as they are able to pursue these national certifications. This link for the application is: https://www.cognitoforms.com/PCDA1/ChildcareCertificationAssistanceProgramApplication. Lori Henderson, PCDA Executive Director stated "This is a great opportunity for PCDA to support this in demand industry after years of discussion. Childcare is one of PCDA's areas of economic focus; right there will retail, entertainment and business retention and recruitment, " she continued. "The CCAP is based on the PCDA award winning Industry Certification Accreditation Program (ICAP). Requirements for the CCAP funding acceptance:
Lori Henderson, PCDA Executive Director stated "This is a great opportunity for PCDA to support this in demand industry after years of discussion. Childcare is one of PCDA's areas of economic focus; right there will retail, entertainment and business retention and recruitment, " she continued. "The CCAP is based on the PCDA award winning Industry Certification Accreditation Program (ICAP). If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to email [email protected] or call the PCDA office at 580.765.7070.  The Ponca City Development Authority (PCDA) Business Plan Competition Pitch off has been pushed back to September 10, 2025. This annual (and sometimes bi-annual) competition must have at least three companies to pull the competition trigger. Though there are several Ponca City small businesses and start-ups in the business plan writing process, none are ready to hand over their final copies by April 22nd, the original date for business plans to be submitted.
"This is the eighth year for the Business Plan Competition Pitch-off," said Kat Long, Small Business Coordinator at PCDA. "PCDA and Pioneer Technology Business & Industry Services began the Pitch-off competition in 2017. One of those first participants was Vortex Alley Brewing. They didn't receive the incentives package that year, but they definitely got their money's worth out of that business plan." The 2025 Pitch-off incentive package for the high scorer is $4000.00 in cash to the business, $1000 for equipment, $1000 for advertising/marketing, a Ponca City Chamber of Commerce membership and rent/building support for a year. Plus all of the participants receive coaching and support from PCDA, Pioneer Technology Business & Industry and The Small Business Development Center (SBDC). See the small business roadmap here and read all the rules and regs for your business to participate in the Business Plan Competition here. For more information, call the PCDA office at 580.765.7070 or email [email protected]. |
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