The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors held its monthly meeting at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22.

The meeting was called to order and approval of the consent agenda passed unanimously.

The Chamber Chair Report was provided by Garrett Bowers. Party at the Palace planning is coming along with a planning meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. at Ponca City Country Club.

Wendy Stobbe provided the Ambassador Committee report. Committee members were assigned to visit new members, and also were at the door for the Business After Hours hosted by Custom Mechanical Equipment at Ody’s Sports Bar on June 22.

Ponca Politics Committee it not meet.

Rich Cantillon, on behalf of Rick Hancock, reported on the Community Development Committee, Ponca City Business Council, and the Education and Workplace Development.

Education and Work

Community Development Committee met on Thursday, June 17 and activity reports were given.

Ponca City Business Council will have a Cash Mob event at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 12 at Tractor Supply Company located at 3008 N. 14th Street.

Education and Workforce Development do not meet in the summer.

Cantillon also provided a Staff Report. Elected Officials Picnic will be on Thursday, July 22, must RSVP and encouraged to bring side dish.

A Party at the Palace planning meeting on Thursday, June 24.

There will be a Ponca Politics Committee meeting with a legislative update on Friday, June 25.

Spots are available for a Customer Service Training on Wednesday, June 30.

Cantillon shared that Ponca City is close to getting a rail service and encourages residents to call their legislatures and tell them that “we need passenger rail”. Cantillon provided the number for Senator Inhofe, 202-224-4721 and for Senator Lankford, 202-224-5754.

Ponca City Tourism reported that the city received visitors from Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, and all over Oklahoma. Attractions in town have reported visitors from all over the United States.

A full page ad will go in the July/August Oklahoma Today highlighting Ponca City Outdoor Recreation.

They did a tourism vlog with Patti Beth Anderson of Making Memories Tours of Washburn, MO on Ponca City. She is looking to bring tour groups to Ponca City.

The video “What’s Happening PC?” has received almost 9,000 views.

RedBud State Tourism Awards will be in person in Edmond on June 29. The Chamber has three nominations entered: the new visitors guide for Best Brochure, The Grand Cigar & Lounge for Outstanding New State Attraction, and B&B Sun N Fun Recreation for Outstanding State Attraction.

Lori Henderson gave the Ponca City Development Authority (PCDA) update. They returned to the Trade Show Brigade two weeks ago sponsoring four companies to the Design to Part Show in Texas. The goal was to assist their companies with marketing by helping them get in front of customers. Trade shows were cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the fall is expected to be a return to normal business. The show had an almost 30% increase in advance registrations over the last full show they did prior to the pandemic.

Other PCDA programs included the completion of the Business Pitch-off contest held on June 11, and Girl Power, which is ongoing. A new website has been launched for PCDA with help from MyMediaMatters.

PCDA has worked with partners by co-sponsoring Pioneer Tech’s Skilled Worker lunch on May 26. They also helped at a job fair at City Central, working with Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) on June 1.

PCDA also worked with a number of civic groups in putting on the “Gotham comes to Ponca City” earlier in June.

So far in this fiscal year, PCDA has assisted in the creation of 262 jobs. With the nation emerging from the pandemic, City Central will return to normal operations.

At their June 10 meeting, PCDA Trustees approved a budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. It includes development of spec building Duke on land north of Cookshack. Ground should be broken in fall. Budget also includes more trade show brigades, more funding for existing industries to gain needed certifications, new workforce study to document that issue, several marketing, small business and workforce issues and an expected return to recruiting activities that were largely dormant over the last year. Trustees approved funding for a new Business Child-care Assistance program which will assist industries set up child-care in their facilities. The board approved another shared equipment purchase to help local industry gain market share as supply chains change dramatically post-pandemic.

PCDA board also elected new members staring next month. Lee Evans is the new Chair, Nancy Laffey is the new Vice Chair and Mark Detten will be the new secretary. Chairman Steve Hermann is completing the end of his final term and the PCDA board honored him for his service.

Ashley Peitz provided an update for Ponca Young Employees. Had their PYE Cornhole tournament a couple weeks ago with a good turnout and ten teams at Ody’s Sports Bar. Golf Tournament is coming up and will be meeting to come up with good prizes.

Shasta Scott gave a report for the City of Ponca City. Things are retuning to normalcy. They received some CBG grand funds, they partnered with the New Emergency Resource Agency (NERA) and they are able to offer rent and mortgage assistance for those affected by COVID and is mostly for low to moderate income guidelines.

Recently changed broadband naming and tier pricing to help businesses downtown.

Street projects continue, the water main on 6th Street might be finished sometime in 2021. The city does offer the fireworks for July 4th.

Senator Bill Coleman and Representative Ken Luttrell were in attendance at the meeting and provided a brief session review that will be elaborated on further at the Ponca Politics Meeting on Friday, June 25., but said that this has been a very good session.

Shelley Arrott provided an update for the Ponca City Public Schools. The schools just hired 60 teachers and have seven teachers left to go. They had their American Relief Consultation Meeting and will be getting federal dollars to offset issues experienced during COVID.

Schools cannot require a mask mandate unless the governor declares a state of emergency or the health department says there is a need. Masks will still be used on buses and public transportation as per a federal order.

PCPS had their first luncheon since the pandemic.

Adam Leaming gave a University Center update and shared that enrollment for the fall semester is currently underway. Over $50,000 in scholarship to award during the fall semester. STEM instructor is teaching 3D printing, robotics and computer programming for Girl Power this week.

Concurrent enrollment opportunities are available for high school students.

Leaming will be transitioning to a position at Ponca City Public Schools. Rich Cantillon is leading the committee to find Leaming’s replacement. There will be a reception for Leaming on June 30 at the University Center.

Brian Hermanson gave a Kay County update, in six weeks the annex at the courthouse should be finished.

Maci Heppel gave a Ponca City Main Street update. Attended a training in Enid for upper level housing options. On July 29, 30, 31 will be Crazy Days downtown and a street party at Veteran’s Plaza. Going to do a Chalk-Off for kids and adult categories, and plans to set up a lemonade walk for kids to set up lemonade stands in front of different storefronts, sponsored by MakeKings. Brewfest is on Sept. 25.

Terron Liles provided the Ponca City Art Association update. The Ponca City Arts Festival will be in conjunction with Brewfest on Sept. 25 and 26.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 27.