The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Rick Hancock called the meeting to order.

Hancock then provided his Chamber Chair report.

The Chamber is currently in their fundraiser year and Hancock shares that he plans to raise a quarter of a million dollars for the Chamber at this year’s Party at the Palace auction.

The next Party at the Palace planning meeting will be on Wednesday, March 22 at the Ponca City Country Club at 4 pm. They are currently focusing on sponsorships for the auction.

Interim Chamber CEO Tiffany Hermann provided a Chamber staff report and the tourism report.

The Chamber has acquired their fox statue, painted by local artists Theresa Sacket, it is currently located in front of their office and is adorn in Ponca City iconography.

The Chamber held their Receipt Campaign drawing on Tuesday, Feb. 28. There were five chances to win $100 in Chamber Bucks and one chance for $500 in Chamber Bucks.

A Cash Mob will be held on Thursday, March 2 at Plaza Wine and Spirits at 11:30 am.

EducationandWorkforceDevelopment will meet on Thursday, March 2 at 4 pm.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held for Wes and Willow at 205 E. Grand Ave. on Friday, March 3 at 10 am.

The Chamber’s support staff reception for Ponca City Public Schools (PCPS) is scheduled for Thursday, April 13 from 10 am to 2 pm. The Chamber is taking donations for the reception.

The 36th Leadership Ponca City Class will be going to Oklahoma City for two day for their session on state government.

A school board election forum will be held on Friday, March 17 with both candidates available to attend. This will be held at the City Commission Chamber at City Hall at noon.

The March Business After Hours will be hosted by Philips 66 at the Conoco Museum on Thursday, March 23.

The next Ponca Politics legislative forum will be held at City Hall at noon on Friday, March 24.

The Chamber is taking nominations for the Larry Hughes Leadership Award. The deadline is Friday, March 24.

The Chamber has put together a “Made in Ponca City” basket for the Annual Hospice Bowling Tournament.

40 visitors bags were made for the Ponca City Country Club’s pickleball tournament.

The Chamber received visitors from California, Texas, Kansas, Pennsylvania, France and all over Oklahoma.

Zach Trantham attended the American Bus Association (ABA) Market Place in Detroit, Michigan on Feb. 3 to Feb. 8 and spoke with several bus tours to come through Ponca City.

The “What’s Happening Ponca City?” video had over 8000 views this month.

Trantham submitted his ad to Oklahoma Today’s outdoor issue. The same ad will also be featured in the Ponca City Monthly.

Hermann attended the St. Louis Working Women Show and spoke to several people about coming to Ponca City.

Board members then went around the room to provide updates.

Lori Henderson with Ponca City Development Authority (PCDA) provided her update.

The employment rate in Ponca City is at 2.8%, this is well below full employment.

There is a lot of interest in Ponca City at the moment, with two out of town companies visiting for business prospects.

A California company is looking at the hangar at the airport owned by PCDA.

The Duke Spec Building should be ready by summer.

Local companies are continuing to report strong business and employment. PCDA is talking with three companies about possible expansions.

PCDA is sponsoring for local industries in the Design-2-Part show this week. This show allows people to get in front of companies that are looking for manufacturers that can make custom projects.

PCDA, Pioneer Technology Center (PTC) and the Oklahoma Finance Authority will be hosting a working lunch on Friday, March 10 at PTC. This is on the Oklahoma Innovation and Expansion program.

PCPS Superintendent Shelley Arrott provided an update.

A how topic for public education in the current legislative session has been tax credits, school vouchers, teacher recruitment and retention.

There is a massive teacher flight from Oklahoma to surrounding states that provide higher salaries to teachers.

Senator Adam Pugh has proposed a teacher raise at different tiers for different years of service.

The House has expressed that they do not support vouchers which give public funds to students who attend private schools. The House has come up with a tax credit where, if a student attends a private school, they can get a tax credit for $5000 per student. The House is also proposing a $2500 raise to teachers.

Oklahoma had 4000 emergency teacher certificates, and only 1600 standard certificates. There are still over 1300 positions that are not filled in Oklahoma.

Governor Stitt has come out in his State of the State address to vocalize support for school vouchers and also wants merit pay raises. State Superintendent Ryan Walters has also expressed interest in merit pay.

PCPS is in the middle of “You Matter Week”, this is a way for students to tell each other that it is okay to ask for support.

PCPS is also celebrating “Read Across America Week”, which coincides with the birthday of Dr. Seuss.

This week is also “Public School Week”, which is a time to honor and celebrate students, parents, staff and elected officials.

The Leadership Oklahoma Class will be in Ponca City as part of their tourism and energy weekend retreat. PCPS students will greet them, the High-Steppers, the Big Blue Band, and cheerleaders will be on hand for entertainment.

Kay County District Attorney Brian Hermanson provided an update.

DA Hermanson reminded everyone that the election for SQ 820 will be on Tuesday, March 7. This bill would make recreational marijuana legal for anyone over the age of 21 in Oklahoma.

DA Hermanson encouraged voters to stay informed and read the bill, as it contains a passage saying that the use of marijuana cannot be used in custody determinations. He also shared that legalization will make every single drug dog in the state obsolete as they are all trained to respond to marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroine. He ultimately encouraged board members to vote “no” on the state question.

Trey Howe with the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma provided an update.

Several projects are currently ongoing including the convenience store two and a half miles south of Highway 60. This project will have six pumps and is anticipated to be completed in the first week in May.

The tiny homes project in White Eagle was completed and other grant monies have come in for the construction of more homes. These homes are for tribal members, elders, and the disabled.

The health center is adding a new wing for dental. Melissa Cecena with AllianceHealth Ponca City shared her update.

There is currently an RN shortage at the hospital with 22 open positions. There is also a shortage of Registered Medical Assistants (RMA) and this has required the hospital to work closely with PTC to recruit some of their students.

Ponca City has a mid-wife, Tammy Dexter, who has started pre-birthing classes.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 28 at 11 am.