This past weekend, Ponca City Development Authority (PCDA) joined city leadership and community partners in a joyful celebration of Marshallese Constitution Day, also known as Jemenei Day, hosted by the local Marshallese community. 
Observed nationally in the Republic of the Marshall Islands on May 1st, Constitution Day commemorates the independence and founding of the Marshallese government. Among Marshallese communities across the United States, including right here in Ponca City, the holiday is traditionally celebrated over Memorial Day weekend, allowing families and friends to come together in celebration of their heritage, values, and vibrant culture. 
This year’s event was especially meaningful, marking not only the celebration of independence but also the inauguration of new officers for the Ponca City Marshallese community. The program offered a beautiful opportunity to experience Marshallese language, music, and community priorities firsthand—a moving reminder of the rich cultural contributions of the Marshallese in Ponca City. The new officers for this year include Tarson Alfred as President, Taklur Bollong as Vice President, Alynn Isaiah as Secretary, with Ketty Wase and Ketina Bollong as Treasurer.  There are also four heads of sports Richard Robert, Melody Robert, Kapono Hong, and Mona Hong.  
Ponca City leadership and community partners were honored to be part of the ceremony, including Mayor Kelsey Wagner; City Manager Craig Stephenson; Jennifer Dye and Barbara Cusick from Ponca City Public Schools; Shelley Arrott and Zach Trantham with the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce; and Lori Henderson and Liz Leaming from Ponca City Development Authority. 
Following the formal ceremony, the weekend festivities continue in true Marshallese fashion: with food, fellowship, and fast-paced softball games. 
“Ponca City is incredibly fortunate to include Marshallese families as an important part of our workforce, our schools, and our cultural fabric,” said Liz Leaming, Ponca Works Director at PCDA. “Events like Constitution Day give us a chance to honor that connection and build stronger relationships.” 
As part of its ongoing outreach, PCDA has been working to provide additional tools and resources to help Marshallese residents feel more connected to services and opportunities in Ponca City—including the implementation of a translation phone line to improve communication and access. 
To learn more about PCDA’s work with the Marshallese community or how to get involved, please contact PCDA at 580-765-7070. ​

Approved Ponca City projects for the Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program (OIEP) were announced earlier this month. Four companies were accepted into the program for employee tax funding projects for new equipment and construction in the amount of $380,365.00 One of the applicants was bumped up to a bigger program and received $200,000 for their project. The total funding of $580,365.00 will result in an economic impact of $1.9 million for Ponca City. This program is open to Oklahoma companies with a payroll of at least $625,000 per year, for-profit and ready to invest a minimum of $50,000 in their facility every April.  Read more about the program and see the complete list of projects for the state at  https://www.okcommerce.gov/oiep/.

The selected Ponca City companies must spend at least 10% of the project budget by September 30th, 2025 whether on equipment or expansions to create new capabilities, revenues or new jobs.  

The four companies with qualifying OIEP projects are:

CPM Acquisition Corp (CPM/Bliss)     $150,000
Greenwood Group, Inc    $ 74,865
K&C Manufacturing Inc   $ 35,500
Stolhand Wells Group     $120,000
    
Larger project approval went to Century Products for $200,000. 

This is a great Oklahoma Department of Commerce Program designed to assist small business grow, diversify and add jobs in Oklahoma communities.  If your Ponca City company has questions or would like more information on these types of incentive programs, please do not hesitate to contact Laurence Beliel at 580.765.7070. 

​Why Downtowns Matter
by Lori Henderson, PCDA Executive Director
 
When I think back about the memories I have about places I have lived, I rarely think about a vast empty parking lot on the busiest retail corridor in town.  Now, granted, I come from a small town and parking lots were a temporary respite while we were cruising (yes, I’m that old).  But the cops would always run us off no matter what we were doing, so the stay in that parking lot was brief and we moved on to another spot until they found us again.  Most of my memories of the places I have been involve the house where I lived, the school I attended and then the downtown district.

From parades when I was little, either marching in them when I twirled baton those two years on the late 80s, riding in them for homecoming , watching the band and the classic cars go by or covering my ears when the firetrucks drove past, sirens wailing.  And then taking my kids to those parades and covering their ears, too, and making sure they didn’t get run over going after that stray sucker on the street.

Coming from a small town, there were festivals downtown that offered baked goods, antiques, games and prizes and all manner of wares that our moms sold like Avon and Tupperware.   Cakewalks, people.  I was always game for a cakewalk. 
Downtown was where I walked after middle school to find my mom at the bank where she worked.  She would give me a buck or two and I would walk down to the drug store for a pop or whatever little thing I could afford with my $2.  Downtown is where I saw my first movie with a boy (that did not go well) and where I worked at the grocery store when I was in high school.  Downtown is simply where things happen.  Things that mold you into the person you are today.  Things that make lifelong memories and where you want more memories to be made.  A connection.

Economically speaking, a vibrant downtown makes for a vibrant city but also serves as a hub for commerce.  We pay our bills downtown.  Grandparents mail packages to their grandchildren downtown.  My husband is gonna buy me that ring I really want in the jewelry store downtown, I just know it.

As I got older, I started to notice more detail about the downtowns I enjoyed.  The architecture and the dates at the tops of the buildings, giving you a little glimpse of history and possibly sparking a google search about what once was.  The deterioration of a building well over 100 years old, and the immediate longing to be able to stabilize it for future generations.  In Ponca City, it’s the brick streets, the Poncan Theatre, our beautiful City Hall or our library that happens to be packed with amazing art and, yes, books, too.  Honestly, too many details to mention.  Do you know how many brothels we used to have way back when?  Answer – more than you realize!

And we still have fun things to do downtown like Main Street Ladies Night, Ice on the Plaza and Crazy Days.  We still have parades for the rodeo, Veterans Day and Christmas, and my kiddos still love going to them even though they are getting older.  Hundreds of people work downtown, we shop downtown, we eat downtown.  I make it a point to take my family downtown.  Because I want them to have those same fond memories I had growing up, even though they are growing up in quite a different age than I did way back when.  And if we’re smart about, and we take care of the downtown we know and love, we will have it for generations to come.  Our downtown really does serve as the heart of the community and downtown Ponca City definitely has a special place in my heart.

Taking place from May 12–16, the week recognizes and honors the dedicated work of economic developers and their contributions to communities around the world. Ponca City Development Authority is proud to be part of this great international organziation and participate in the 2025 Economic Development Week, a global initiative led by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This year we celebrate our partners The City of Ponca City, PIoneer Technology Center, Ponca City Main Street and The Ponca City Chamber just to name a few. 
"The future of economic development is centered around collaboration and partnerships," said IEDC president and CEO Nathan Ohle. "Economic Development Week is an opportunity to celebrate and lift up the stories of economic development happening throughout the world. At the heart of this year’s Economic Development Week are stories of collaboration and partnership, and how the field of economic development works together to support, cultivate, and drive economic prosperity for place of all sizes, in every region in the world.”
The IEDC created Economic Development Week in 2016 to recognize the work that EDOs and professionals do in their communities. IEDC celebrates Economic Development Week every year, highlighting the programs, best practices, and exceptional individuals that positively impact life in their communities. In just a few years the event has become one of the most widely recognized awareness weeks of its kind validating the—often unheralded—work of the economic development profession.
“Economic Development Week is a crucial time to reflect on our collective achievements and to plan for a future of inclusive and sustainable growth,” said [Name of the Spokesperson], [Title of the Spokesperson] at [Organization Name].“Through [Event/Initiative Name/Etc.], we are inviting businesses, community leaders, and the public to join us in celebrating our progress and to engage in meaningful discussions about the economic future of our community.”

Make sure to check in next week at Business on the Balcony in the PCDA office at City Central.  City Central is a long term economic development project.  If you don't know the story, ask staff.  We will answer all your questions.  
                       Business on the Balcony     Tuesday, May 13     7 to 9 am 

Later in the month, Mayor Wagner will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Downtown Revitalization.  Make sure to attend. 
                       Downtown Revitalization     Thursday, May 29    6 to 8 pm     City Hall
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