February 12, 2023

STORIES OF ADA AREA ENTREPRENEURS & INNOVATORS

Environmental Resource Technologies: Safe Water, Rural Opportunities

Through the course of his career as a researcher and entrepreneur, Tim Hensley has learned a lot of lessons and is grateful for the help he has had along the way. He says, “If you work hard, somebody will notice, but don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice. And don’t be afraid to try.” Hensley found his niche unexpectedly, all because he was hauling hay. Now, the Hensleys and ERT make sure our drinking water and streams are safe, all while providing opportunities for others who just might need to find their own niche as well.

RECAP OF PODCAST AND MEET UP EVENT

What happened? On the morning of Tuesday, February 7^th, the Ada Jobs Foundation kicked off a new series of innovation, tech, and entrepreneurship-focused networking events with a live podcast and meet up at Arbuckle Coffee.

What is it? The events are part of the Ada Jobs Foundation’s programming made possible through the EDA’s Build to Scale Award. The program is designed to increase the number of scalable tech startups in our region. A key part of supporting these new startups is to create an “entrepreneurial ecosystem,” which is a network of programs, events, and services for people interested in technology and creating new companies. Other entrepreneurial ecosystems have successfully utilized a steady cadence of events, providing opportunities for people to engage, interact, and connect with other programs and resources.

What’s next? Future events will alternate between Ada and other communities in the 10-county Southern Oklahoma region. The next event is scheduled to be held in Atoka on February 28^th, with more details to come. The podcast is being edited and will be made available on all major podcast networks.

SAUNKEAH SHOUT-OUT

Saunkeah Shout OUT this week is for: Pontotoc Technology Center (PTC), located in Ada, Oklahoma. The mission of PTC is “training to succeed”. With their vision to anticipate needs and educate to provide a trained workforce in Oklahoma, PTC offers some unique programs and resources.

PTC is involved with the WorkKeys/Work Readiness Certificate program. This unique assessment will help students be prepared for available jobs and will help area employers select the best workforce available.

PTC offers eligibility for secondary students living in the technology center district who attend a public, private, parochial, charter, or home school to attend tuition free. PTC district population is 40,638 based on 2010 census data. School districts served include Ada, Allen, Byng, Latta, Roff, Sasakwa, Stonewall, Tupelo and Vanoss.

Pontotoc Technology Center (PTC) has a diverse range of programs to support different sectors of the Pontotoc County regional economy. The region is a hub of medical services, and PTC supports the local healthcare industry including Mercy Hospital Ada, Chickasaw Nation Health System and Rolling Hills Psychiatric Hospital.

Pontotoc Technology Center also supports the mining sector by providing training and support for Holcim, US Silica, and Fairmount Minerals, as well as the manufacturing industry, including Flex-N-Gate, Ram Jack, Leachco, GAMI and Dart Containers. Finally, they also support the service industry through work with the Chickasaw Nation, Legal Shield, and others.

PTC’s Business Incubator has been very successful in starting new businesses such as Cammond Industry, Jobri Inc., and MyGov. Jobri, Inc. was the International Incubator Client of the Year. Another incubator business was Lovera’s Cheese.

PTC partners with the local community to offer a variety of services to area employers. As a result of Ada’s efforts to create a law enforcement/public service industry, PTC has extended the school’s public service offerings to include fire service training using the state-of-the-art Fire Training Center. PTC most recently implemented their newest High School program which is the Fire/EMT program. With an eye towards the future, Superintendent Travis Graham and his staff are currently working on a lineman program for adults.

Pontotoc Technology Center (PTC) is key to economic development and workforce development in the Pontotoc County area. Ada Jobs Foundation is proud to partner with Travis Graham, Jim Lawson, Jenny Cypert, and the PTC staff.