Ada Jobs Foundation

Economic Report - October 2012

 

Career Discovery Day - 9th Graders  

  

 

Last January all the eighth grade students in Pontotoc County participated in Career Discovery Day, where they were exposed to three career tracks that they were interested in pursuing. The businesses, entities, and individuals that helped organize this event promised the students that this would not be just a one-time activity. Yesterday, business and community leaders held the ninth grade Career Discovery Day. The same students that participated in the program last year were split up based on their desired career and were exposed to an in-depth, hands-on program for that specific career field. Students participated in the following career fields: Architecture, Arts, Business, Communications/Tourism/Hospitality, Construction/Manufacturing, Finance/Accounting, Healthcare/Dentistry/Pharmacy, Information Technology & Engineering, Legal, Public Safety/Security, Science & Research, Transportation/Logistics, and Veterinary Medicine. Some the day's activities included a mock trial at the courthouse for legal students and a robotics lab for IT & engineering students.

 

This event was a major success and gave students the opportunity to learn more about their desired career and make decisions regarding whether or not they wanted to continue to pursue that career and the education requirements they would need. The committee that oversees Career Discovery Day is already planning activities for these students as they advance to tenth grade and are currently organizing Career Discovery Day for this year's class of eighth graders.

Upcoming Events

 

2nd Annual Women's Conference

Thursday, November 1, 2012

8:00 am - 3:30 pm

Pontotoc Technology Center

Registration:$50

 

This event is about empowering women and will feature dynamic speakers Scout Cloud Lee and Dustin Galyon. To register visit www.adachamber.com  or call 580 332-2506.

 

 

Young Professionals of Ada Kickball Tournament
Saturday, November 3, 2012

Starts at 10 am at Matthews Park

Registration: $225.00 a team/$15 per player

  

The kickball tournament will benefit the Ada Boys & Girls Club. Each team is guaranteed two games and a t-shirt for participating. There can be 11-15 players on a team, but each team must have at least 4 female players. All players should be 18 years of age or older. For more information contact the Ada Area Chamber of Commerce at 580 332-2506.

 

 

 

Oklahoma Delegates Work to Ensure Future Success of Ada Manufacturing Plant

 

 

 

When Dart Container announced plans to acquire Solo Cup in mid-March, the Ada Jobs Foundation immediately began to take steps to ensure that this acquisition would positively affect the Ada, Oklahoma Solo Cup manufacturing facility. AJF staff already had a close working relationship with local plant management and utilized it to help develop a plan of action.

 

Ada Jobs Foundation President & CEO Mike Southard stated, "With acquisitions and mergers there are always concerns of operation consolidations and plant closures. It's important to develop a relationship with corporate officers and to express their value to the community. Dart has a community partner who wants them to grow and profit through their Ada, Oklahoma operations. With assistance from the local plant and state leaders, we wereable to state a case for improvements and potential new development at the Ada plant to Dart's corporate executives."

 

Southard along with Lt. Governor Todd Lamb and Senator Susan Paddack met with corporate executives at Dart's headquarters in Mason, Michigan.  During the meeting the Oklahoma representatives expressed their appreciation of the Ada manufacturing facility employing over 450 in the state. They also provided details about incentives and other programs that would help Dart with any future expansions in Ada.  Dart executives indicated that this trip was unique in that Oklahoma was the first delegation representing any of their newly acquired facilities and was impressed by the level of support.

 

Since being elected in 2010, Lt. Governor Lamb recognized that good paying jobs, like those at the Ada Solo Cup factory, benefit all of Oklahoma and has focused a portion of his office's activities on job retention and creation. Lt. Governor Lamb has been an advocate of business in Oklahoma, which was showcased on this visit. "Ada is a special place with special people and is very important to Oklahoma's economic strength. I was eager to express why now is the time for Dart to reinvest in their newly engaged facility inAda."

 

Senator Susan Paddack, District 13, was invited to participate because the majority of the employees at the Ada facility live within her district. Paddack has worked hard during her 8 years in office to ensure quality jobs are available for her constituents and this visit is just one example. Paddack stated, "I was honored to be invited to visit Dart's corporate headquarters and to discuss with their leadership future businessopportunities within the district." She went on to say, "I'm optimistic that this visit will not only ensure the retention of the jobs at the Ada facility but also generate new investment and potential job growth at the facility during the next few years."

 

"Without the support of Lt. Governor Lamb, this trip would not have been as successful. The Ada community appreciates his support on ensuring these jobs stay in the State," Mike Southard stated about the Lt. Governor's involvement. Overall the trip to Dart Container's headquarters has been a success. The Ada Jobs Foundation, Lt. Governor Lamb, and Senator Paddack are looking forward to the opportunities that this visit will produce in the future.

 

 

State Chamber Launches Yes on 
SQ 764 & SQ 766 Websites

 

The State Chamber has taken a leading role on two state questions that are essential for Oklahoma's economic development and is excited to announce the launch of informative websites for Yes on State Question 764 and Yes on State Question 766.

 

State Question 764 will enhance financial assistance programs for communities and water districts for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. State Question 766 will permanently exempt intangible personal property from taxation. 

 

For more information visit:

 

Yes on State Question 764

 

Yes on State Question 766

 

 

 
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Economic Indicators

Unemployment Rate

(August 2012)

    Ada MSA -  4.2%

August 2011 - 4.8%

 

  Oklahoma -  5.1%

August 2011 - 6.3%

 

  United States -  8.1%
August 2011 - 9.1%  
  
Labor Force
(August 2012) 

  Ada MSA -  21,540

August 2011 - 20,412

 

  Oklahoma -  1,798,940

August 2011 - 1,769,890

 

  US - 154,645,000

August 2011 - 153,594,000

  

 

Sales Tax Report

(October 2012)

  City of Ada - $1,191,531
October 2011 - $1,189,408
 

   Pontotoc County - $274,287

October 2011 - $275,489

  
  
Use Tax Report
(October 2012) 
  City of Ada - $65,693
October  2011 - $56,979
 
Pontotoc County - $17,369
October  2011 - $12,388

  

  
Lodging Tax Report
(October 2012) 
   Pontotoc County - $25,865
October  2011 - $21,115