The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Community Development Committee held their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, May 18 at 10 am.

Don Nuzum called the meeting to order.

The Chamber is currently accepting nominations for the 37th Leadership Ponca City class. If you would like to nominate someone for the class, please contact the Chamber for a nomination form. Forms are due back in the Chamber office by 5 pm on Friday, June 2.

Committee members then went around the room to provide their various updates.

Brad Fox with Evans and Associates provided an update.

The recent rains have slowed down several operations, but there are several ongoing projects. These projects include an ODOT job on US-77 north of Newkirk; a bridge over Cowskin Creek on Highway 156; a relaying job in Billings; Union Street from Gary to Liberty, and Prospect and Pecan to the VFW; Building Blocks Daycare on Union; a tent pad is being set up for the turnaround at Philips 66 later this year; various streets in Tonkawa; various parking lots for the Kaw Nation; and US-60 from Tonkawa.

The Enid concrete company has poured over 6000 yards a month for the last two months.

Jenna Wynes and Jake Kriech provided an update for Winterrowd Talley Architects Inc.

Construction work is underway at the Anderson STEM building, and the site for the Concert Hall classroom addition as began, foundation is set for the softball project, Liberty Elementary renovations and improvements are underway, the indoor/outdoor facility’s construction documents are being finalized in a few more weeks, airport construction documents are also finalizing, and there are several residential and Broken Bow cabins that are being worked on.

Winterrowd Talley Architects Inc. held a happy hour event at the Ponca City Country Club last week, they plan to have these events every year.

Ponca City Parks and Recreations Director, Eric Newell, provided an update.

Mowing season is underway, and they are preparing the rodeo grounds for the rodeo in June.

They are getting ready to go to bid for fencing at the Motocross arena in the middle of June/early July.

The Senior Center has been opened for a month now.

Parks and Rec are planting flowers downtown and planning for all the events coming up this summer.

Richard Evans with the Ponca City Police Department provided an update.

A new fire panel is coming in for the Public Safety Center, and work is underway for mechanical inspections and staff training for the new equipment.

Four new hires are starting on Monday, May 22.

The Ponca Politics Committee will be touring the Public Safety Center on Friday, May 26.

Rick Hancock with the Rusty Barrell Supper Club provided an update.

Hancock is Chamber Chair this year and spoke about the Party at the Palace Auction that will be held later this year in August. He shared that they are currently gathering auction items and sponsorships. The sponsorships are open till June.

The next meeting for the auction planning committee will be on June 21 at El Patio at 4 pm.

Ben Evans and Janet Schwabe provided updates for Pioneer Technology Center (PTC).

The second round of basic peace officer graduations has wrapped last week.

Graduation for full time programs was held on Thursday, May 18. This was the first time in PTC’s history that they were able to have a graduation with all of their students in one room.

1 Million Cups will be held on Wednesday, June 7 at 8:30 am.

The Hero Effect with speaker Kevin Brown will held on Wednesday, May 24 from 11 am to 1 pm. There are currently no tickets available for the event, and all 300 seats have been filled.

On Wednesday, May 31, a “Mental Health in the Workplace” lunch and learn will be held from 12 pm to 1 pm. The cost is $10 and includes lunch.

Schwabe shared that several companies in Ponca City were awarded funding in the amount of by $450,000 the Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s Oklahoma Innovation and Expansion Program for new projects, equipment, and investment.

Sue Lunsford provided updates for Community Health Foundation and Marland’s Place.

Community Health Foundation completed a successful Meals to Heal fundraiser last month and continues to offer scholarships to various health care professionals in Kay County.

Marland’s Place held their Cocktails for a Cause fundraiser last month, which also met with success.

Marland’s Place also has a new CEO.

Chris Henderson with the City of Ponca City provided an update.

Last month, a permit was issued to expand the Ratpack mini storage on Prospect west of Union. Permits were also issued for the Concert Hall, Log10 on Sykes Boulevard, and a retail place called Five Below. Thus far, they have issued $20 million in building permits.

Henderson is involved in several projects this year including the renovation of the transportation depot. The depot has been idle for several years, but once conversation about Amtrak returning began, the City acquired the depot. The City has also received $2 million dollars for the depot thanks to Congressman Frank Lucas. They are also negotiating with two potential tenants for the depot. The plans are anticipated to be finished this calendar year.

Work is underway on making the downtown street corner nodes more uniform in design.

Hunter Vap with Titan Title and Closing provided an update.

Titan Title hosted the April Business After Hours event last month at the Ponca City Country Club, and thanked those who attended the event.

Allyson Broome with KR Automation provided several updates.

KR Automaton is opening up a repairs department.

Broome also shared that Ponca City Main Street (PCMS) won five State Main Street awards last month. Three of those awards were for Ice on the Plaza, one for Farmhouse Kids, and one for MyMediaMatters.

The PCMS improvement grant is now available on their website for those that want minor improvements to their building. Those grant applications are due on July 1.

PCMS has added a section to their website to allow for listing open office space or buildings.

PCMS also has a mural coming in June.

Broome also spoke about the Child Development Center. They will be getting new signage and a mural on their building as well.

The Herb Festival will be on Saturday, June 3 and will benefit the Survivor Resource Network.

Peachtree Landing held their Cowboy Ball on Friday, May 12, it was a sold out show despite the tornado weather.

Marland’s Place is partnering with PC Provisions on several drinks with the funds going back to Marland’s Place.

Marland’s Place is also gearing up for its annual Family Fun Day on Aug. 5, they are currently looking for sponsorships.

Kevin Emmons provided updates on projects of his.

Emmons has purchased the corner of Highway 60 and Big Snake Road, as well as a food trailer with the intention of setting up a second Provisions.

He is also working on a project downtown at a hotel next to the Poncan Theatre. it will be a six room hotel with a lounge in it.

Don Nuzum with the Ponca City Airport provided an update.

Vance Airforce Base is picking back up and doing various evening flights.

Several heavy jets have come into the airport.

Interim Chamber CEO Tiffany Hermann then provided her Chamber Update.

The Chamber has had 37 new businesses join, with eight of those taking advantage of a new member/Party at the Palace sponsorship.

The next Business After Hours will be held on Thursday, May 25 at the Ponca City Country Club from 5 pm to 7 pm, hosted by First National Bank of Oklahoma.

The next Cash Mob will be on Thursday, June 1 at 11:30 am at Old West Liquors located at 3211 N. 14th.

A ribbon cutting will be held on Wednesday, June 7 for Superior Seamless Guttering at the Chamber Office at 11 am.

Another ribbon cutting will be held on Friday, June 16 at 2 pm for Sizzle Sauce Media at The Link at City Central at 400 E. Central Avenue.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 15 at 10 am.