THE PONCA CITY MODEL..... has been the topic of discussion this week.  First off, when staff refers to the term  "Ponca City Model", we are probably patting ourselves on the back a little.  PCDA, The City, The Chamber and Pioneer Technology Center work together pretty darn seamlessly to make sure all Ponca Citieans (and members and students) have the information, services, opportunities, assistance and information needed to succeed in business, work, play and training.  We (talking collectively) believe this is what makes Ponca unique and a great place to live, work, own a business, start a business, invent a new widget, etc.... Think PoncaWorks or LIghten the Load or The Business Plan Pitch-off or the City's Homebuyer Assistance Program or PTech's 13th year program.  Or perhaps you were part of the great turnout this very morning at the old train depot to welcome an Amtrak delegation, whose intent was to see if communities from Oklahoma City to Newton, Kansas are interested in passenger rail service.  Why yes; yes we are.  Let us show you with all the people gathered waiting for the train.  Speaking of the Newton, Kansas area, after a budget and roof filled agenda at the PCDA Board of Trustees meeting yesterday, a wonderful group of businesses, banks, commissioners and various chamber and economic development people from Henley County had lunch with the PCDA staff.  Price of admission was hearing from staff about that very same Ponca CIty Model including business retention & expansion on Thursday; PoncaWorks, demographics and data, Marketing and building projects were presented as well as taking the whole group for a tour around Ponca to get a feel for our town from historical to modern day manufacturing.  As the Mayor is often heard to say, "It is a great day in Ponca City."  This week was definitely full of great days. 

The Henley Kansas contingency stopped in yesterday to hear about some best practices, ask some questions (How do you do ______?) and take copious notes on our community, economic development, chamber and partnerships. Yes, we almost filled the Airport Bus.  It was fantastic!  Next stops for them is Norman and Shawnee.  Yell "Boomer" and Say "Hey!" to Tim for us!

UNDERGROUND WIRES AND SWIVELING LIGHTS..... in a proud BR&E moment this week, a project which has been in the works for almost a year, is getting close to completion.  Keep in mind, PCDA staff get excited about road completions and sewer projects, but still, this project is pretty cool.  You may have seen those large vessels leaving the Airport Industrial Park over the last 18th months.  Every time one of those large (over 18 feet tall) vessels is shipped out, power lines, cables lines and stoplights have to be moved, raised, or taken down.  Fast forward to today:  all power lines are now underground all along Waverly; only a few cable lines are left and the stoplights are now on swivels.  Yup, swivels.  Cue the visuals.  The first picture is how the stoplights were taken down in the past.  The second is the new swivel base.  If you want to see a video on the swivel in action, click here and see a timelapse video on how we do it here in Ponca City!  Congrats to our partners at the City and our partners at Cable One for making this possibility a reality.  And good job to MJ&H Fabrication on their design & build.  Boom baby!