Behind every successful manufacturer is more than a great product or a talented workforce. Success also depends on having a community that understands the needs of industry and is willing to invest in its long-term growth.
That's exactly what the Ponca City Development Authority (PCDA) has worked to build.
Economic development is often measured by new jobs, expanding facilities, or ribbon cuttings. While those milestones are certainly worth celebrating, the work that happens behind the scenes is often what makes those successes possible. Creating a strong support system for existing industries helps businesses solve problems, stay competitive, and continue investing right here in Ponca City.
Funded by a one-half cent sales tax approved by Ponca City voters, PCDA takes seriously its responsibility to be a good steward of those public dollars. One of the best investments those funds can make is ensuring that the companies already calling Ponca City home have the resources they need to grow and thrive.
One way PCDA accomplishes that is through the Industrial Certification Assistance Program (ICAP).
Manufacturing certifications can open doors to new customers, improve quality systems, and position companies for larger contracts. Yet earning those certifications can be a costly and time-consuming process, especially for small and mid-sized manufacturers. Through ICAP, PCDA helps local industries offset some of those challenges, making it easier for companies to pursue certifications that strengthen their operations and improve their competitiveness. The result is a stronger industrial base and more opportunities for long-term job growth in our community.
Companies such as Lindsay Manufacturing, Greenwood Aviation and Log10 have participated in the ICAP program, demonstrating how strategic investments in certification can help local manufacturers strengthen their operations and position themselves for future growth.
Supporting existing businesses also means helping them reach new markets.
The Business Retention & Expansion Tradeshow Program (BRETs) was created to help local manufacturers participate in industry trade shows where they can connect with suppliers, service providers, resource organizations, and—most importantly—potential new customers. Through the program, PCDA reimburses up to 50 percent of eligible trade show expenses, with incentives capped at $6,000 per manufacturer each fiscal year.
The idea for BRETs grew out of PCDA's experience hosting local manufacturers in the Ponca City booth at the Design-2-Part Trade Show in Dallas, Texas. After seeing firsthand the valuable business relationships and opportunities that developed from those events, manufacturers began identifying additional trade shows that could help expand their customer base. BRETs was created to help make those opportunities more accessible.
These connections matter because no business succeeds in isolation. A healthy industrial community is built when companies share knowledge, discover new resources, and strengthen the local supply chain together.
Innovation is another important piece of that support system.
Through a partnership with Pioneer Technology Center, PCDA has helped establish a shared equipment program that gives manufacturers and entrepreneurs access to specialized equipment they may not otherwise be able to afford. Instead of requiring every business to purchase expensive technology on its own, companies can utilize shared resources to prototype products, test ideas, improve processes, or expand production capabilities. That collaboration lowers barriers to innovation and helps businesses grow more efficiently. Currently, laser welding systems have been a large part of the industry demand for use. The availability of laser welding stand-alone systems at the Shared Equipment Lab has been directly responsible for several Ponca City companies investing in their own laser welders.
PCDA has also recognized that sometimes support is as simple as providing a place for people to gather.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many businesses needed larger spaces to safely meet, train employees, or host events, City Central became an important resource for the industrial community. Even after the pandemic, manufacturers, industry organizations, and business partners have continued using City Central for meetings, training sessions, workforce events, and collaborative programs that simply require more space than many facilities can provide. By opening its doors, City Central has become another tool that helps local industry succeed.
None of these programs grab headlines the way a new factory announcement might. Yet together, they create something just as valuable: an environment where businesses know they have partners invested in their success.
Economic development isn't simply about recruiting the next company. It's about making sure today's employers have every opportunity to succeed tomorrow. When local industries grow, they create jobs, strengthen families, expand the tax base, and contribute to the quality of life that benefits everyone in Ponca City.
The one-half cent sales tax entrusted to PCDA makes these investments possible. Every program, partnership, and resource is designed with one goal in mind: helping local businesses remain strong, competitive, and ready for the future.
Creating an industrial support system isn't a one-time project—it's an ongoing commitment. At PCDA, we're proud to stand alongside the manufacturers, entrepreneurs, educators, and business leaders who continue building Ponca City's future, one partnership at a time.