The board of trustees at the Ponca City Development Authority (PCDA) have approved two workforce attraction programs designed to grow Ponca City’s talent base. The Talent Attraction Program, which helps local employers recruit and relocate qualified candidates, and the Remote Work Program, which welcomes individuals who are already employed remotely and choose to make Ponca City their home. Together, these initiatives reduce relocation barriers and expand the local labor pool.
“Ponca City industries are growing, and growth requires people.” Mark Southard, Retired Conoco Engineer and PCDA Board President shared, “These programs are about making it easier for talented individuals to choose our community, while giving our local employers the tools they need to compete.”
The Talent Attraction Program, or TAP, is structured as a reimbursement incentive administered by participating employers. Here’s how it works: the employer first pays the relocation or housing incentive directly to the employee, $4,500 for employees who purchase a home, or $2,500 for employees who lease a residence within Ponca City, for a minimum of one year. Once the employee has established primary residency and the employer submits the required documentation to PCDA, PCDA reimburses the employer for that expense.
To qualify for TAP, relocating employees must be newly hired or relocated by a participating employer and must move from a primary residence at least 45 miles outside Ponca City or from out of state. Employees must establish primary residence within Ponca City, remain locally employed for at least one year, and earn a base salary of at least $42,500.
PCDA launched these programs specifically to meet the demand of growing industries. Ensuring local employers have access to the workforce they need, while bringing more residents, more talent, and more economic activity into our area. By reducing the financial barrier of relocation for employees, these programs position Ponca City as a more competitive destination for skilled workers. They also encourage home ownership, strengthen local schools and neighborhoods, and support long term community investment.
Mitchell Garvin, Assistant City Engineer, City of Ponca City, and the first recipient of this program, said, “The Talent Attraction Program played a big role in making this move possible, especially when it came to buying a home and putting down permanent roots. For anyone considering making a move, having that kind of support makes a difference. It shows that Ponca City is committed to not only attracting new people. It is creating real opportunities for them to build a life here.”
In addition to the Talent Attraction Program, PCDA is also offering a separate Remote Work Program for individuals who bring their own employment to Ponca City. This program is designed for remote workers who are relocating independently, not through a local employer, and want to put down roots in the community.
To be eligible for the Remote Work Program, applicants must: be employed remotely with a base salary of at least $60,000 (not through a Ponca City employer), relocate from at least 60 miles outside Ponca City or from out of state, and establish primary residence within Ponca City.
Rita and Donnie McMillin were able to move back to Ponca City after being in California for the past two decades. They said, “We knew we wanted to get closer to family and were seriously considering Tulsa until we found Ponca City offered a similar remote worker program. That made the move simple, and it’s turned out to be exactly the lifestyle we were hoping for.”
The Remote Work Program has its own separate application process. For eligibility details, incentive information, and application instructions, interested individuals should contact the Ponca City Development Authority directly.
For more information about either program, or to obtain an application, contact the Ponca City Development Authority. 580-765-7070 or [email protected]
