DAEDF highlights community businesses during Chamber Breakfast

November 10, 2023

Tamara Gregor / The Duncan Banner

Eric Hancock, operation manager with Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, addressed attendees about what they do in the Duncan area and how they work alongside DAEDF. Souce: Tamara Gregor/The Duncan Banner

Through economic growth and community partnerships, Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation (DAEDF) works to generate new business ventures in Duncan.

Last week, DAEDF representatives talked with Duncan Chamber of Commerce members and guests over the monthly Chamber breakfast about their work with community businesses over the past year.

DAEDF President Lyle Roggow introduced Operations Manager Nicole Punneo, Business and Industry Coordinator Henry Lehr, as well as the DAEDF board members.

Roggow opened the breakfast with showing a video clip to help illustrate what DAEDF is and how they work within the Duncan community.

Next, Eric Hancock, operation manager with Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, addressed attendees about what they do in the Duncan area and how they work alongside DAEDF.

Hancock said Model 1 is the market leader in buses, handicap vans and other transportation services. With 23 facilities nationwide, Model 1 is a privately-owned company.

“We are focusing on more work in Duncan,” he said.

According to Hancock, when Model 1 looked for a place to expand, they had a few checklist items, like finding a centrally located place, availability of talent, as well as easy access to highways and transportation.

This past spring, Model 1 came to Duncan and signed a lease, according to Hancock.

“Before we had really taken possession, we had already started thinking about expanding,” he said.

On Nov. 1, Hancock said, they took possession of their second building and are already having conversations about two more facilities.

“We are even talking about a fifth facility to support our operations nationally,” he said.

Moving forward, Roggow talked with chamber members and guests about the business incubator, the Move Duncan program, as well as a report from Dr. Mark Snead, Ph. D. about how DAEDF has spent the sales tax dollars they’ve been entrusted with since 1994.

Roggow said when he started in 2006, they had two buildings and since then, they’ve added 13 facilities.

“Those facilities are very, very key to how we attract our businesses and how we help grow,” he said.

According to Roggow, they will continue to work to diversify the economy.

Roggow moved on to address DAEDF’s partnership with educational institutions and introduced Duncan High School’s Pathways to Future Career (PFC) instructor and coordinator Emily Prichard.

Prichard said the PFC program allows high school juniors and seniors to apply for an internship program.

“Industry partners allow an opportunity for our students to come into your place of business,” she said. “They are in there because they have an interest in your career field, and you, as the industry partner, serve as a mentor for them.”

Prichard said student interns spend about an hour and a half for four days each week with their hosts, as well as time in the classroom. Some things students learn are how to write a check or how to properly shake a hand.

“We use industry partners to instill the pure values and the knowledge you have in your career field,” she said. “You’re the encourager for them.”

Prichard said DAEDF has been a great support system for her and the program.

According to Prichard, high school students are becoming more involved in work-based learning programs.

She said, this past year they worked to take students on industry tours and expose them to what Duncan has to offer with the help of DAEDF.

Roggow then introduced DAEDF’s next video with Dream Team Prosthetics.

Chad Simpson, BS, BOCP, LP, and clinical director, said they’ve been in Duncan for about six years and have worked directly with DAEDF to start their business as well.

“We manufacture and provide fit for prosthetic devices for individuals with mobility impairments,” he said.

According to Simpson, they see a lot of patients, locally, nationally and internationally.

Simpson said they work to create a plan for where their patients are at in their lifetime, and either help further them along in mobility or to get them up and walking.

He said one of the most incredible aspects of the DAEDF building they are in right now is how large the space is, with around 6,000 square feet.

Simpson said some of the benefits include giant garage doors, as well as a specialty ramp and stairs for patients to utilize for practice.

To access the DAEDF Assessment of Economic Development Activities Report from 1994-2022, https://ok-duncan.com/images/uploads/DAEDF_Economic_Analysis_Final_Draft_20230214.pdf.