PACC Projects

PACC Committees

Agri-Business:  The Agriculture Committee works to promote awareness of the significant contribution of the agriculturally-based businesses to the area's economy.  Activities include fund-raising for the Junior Premium Livestock Auction, and working with the 4-Way Rodeo Association to help bring awareness to and promote Pryor's ACRA/IPRA Rodeo, scheduled each year during Memorial Day weekend.

The Chamber also partners with  the Oklahoma Department of Tourism to explore Agri-Tourism opportunities in Mayes County and Northeast Oklahoma.

Ambassadors: PACC Ambassadors make personal visits to Chamber members throughout the year, gathering feedback on services and programs.  Ambassadors attend, help plan and execute grand openings and Ribbon Cuttings. They present First-Dollar plaques and act as greeters at city-wide events.

Click HERE to see what the Ambassadors have done recently...

Governmental Affairs: The Committee monitors local, regional, state and federal legislative action. The goal is to be a catalyst for legislation that will lead to a favorable economic climate for NE Oklahoma’s business community. The Governmental Affairs Committee also conducts Eggs & Issues legislative breakfasts during the State Legislative session (January – May).

Great Days of Service: Mayes County Leadership Academy led the Second Annual Great Days of Service initiative during 2008. They worked with the O.D. Mayor Foundation, area civic clubs, churches and youth groups, and the Thunderbird Youth Academy to make another very impressive and growing effort with six projects.

"Feed the Hungry" saw volunteers from Pryor and Adair pitch in to donate more than 10,000 pounds of food. “Cemetery Cleanup” members of Your Place Church cleaned the Adair West Cemetery in Adair. “Baby Blankets” included numerous area volunteers and sewing groups making baby blankets for newborns. "Operation Friendly Welcome” saw the MCLA class and Pryor High Leadership students help clean up the four welcome signs greeting guests into Pryor. The High School class also had the "Safenet" project where they redecorated and landscaped the Safenet building. "Nursing Home Outreach" was headed up by the Boys & Girls Club.

For more details on this year's Great Days of Service Project and the people involved click HERE.

Mayes County Leadership Academy: MCLA, an outgrowth of Leadership Pryor, consists of a series of nine monthly sessions. Each issue-oriented meeting provides participants with an enhanced perspective of the problems and opportunities facing our area. To see the 2008-2009 Mayes County Leadership Academy class click HERE.

Economic Development: The mission of the Economic Development Committee is to implement programs that will involve business leaders in efforts to maintain and expand the area’s economic base. The committee provides business input to key government leaders regarding the implementation of the area’s economic development and expansion strategy.

Third Graders Go-To-Work: Third Graders Go-To-Work is a multi-lesson program, which pairs third grade classes with PACC member business partners. The program introduces the students to economic and business terms, and provides worksite-learning experience.

Workforce Development: The Workforce Development Committee functions in partnership with the Mayes County Project for Prosperity. It is a collaborative effort of the PACC, MidAmerica Industrial Park and its industries, area educators and local and state governments. The group, formed in 2006, has as its goal, to provide a well-educated workforce for all companies in Mayes County. Because of the work of the partners, Mayes County was one of only two Oklahoma communities to be selected, by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce as pilot communities for the Oklahoma Certified Workforce Ready Communities initiative.

Membership Drive: This task force meets throughout the year to plan and promote the annual volunteer effort to recruit new members. Like the Ambassadors, they make visits to PACC members to determine which of the Chambers Program of Work Projects are important to its membership.

Special Projects

Forum Luncheons: Luncheons are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 11:45 a.m. at the Elks Lodge. The January Forum features Mid-America Industrial Park Administrator, Sanders Mitchell’s, Annual State-of-the-Park address, followed, in February, by Mayor Jimmy Tramel, who presents the State-of-the-City. Some resent speakers include: Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith; Kevin Easley, General Manager/CEO Grand River Dam Authority; Oklahoma Department of Commerce Secretary, Natalie Shirley; Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner, Kim Holland, State Director for USDA Rural Development, Brent Kissling; U.S. Congressman Dan Boren; Oklahoma Senator Sean Burrage; Oklahoma Representative Ben Sherrer.

Annual Banquet: The Banquet is held each year to acknowledge those who have served the PACC during the previous year. Last year’s banquet was held at Camp Dry Gulch. The keynote speaker was Oklahoma Centennial Commission Director, Blake Wade. Mayor Jimmy Tramel was chosen as the Pryor Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.

DAM J.A.M.: A PACC produced bicycle tour around the area's lakes and dams is held the 2nd Saturday in September each year. Dam J.A.M. has been growing steadily during the past 18 years; and, today hosts as many as 800 bicycle riders from throughout Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Texas. The 25, 50, 75 and 100-mile tours, exploring Northeast Oklahoma's Lake Country, gives the Dam J.A.M. Bicycle Tour its reputation as a model for hospitality and safety. Chamber members and area organizations host rest stops throughout the routes, and compete for the Rest Stop of the Year traveling trophy. The Pryor Police Dept., Mayes County Sheriff's Dept. and Mayes County Amateur Radio Club members help the PACC assure the riders' safety. The ride begins and ends in Whitaker Park, concluding with a Party-in-the-Park.  

Click HERE to visit the official Dam J.A.M. Web site!

Christmas Parade: Pryor’s 2008 Christmas Parade of Lights was held on December 4.  Keeping with tradition, the 2008 “A Storybook Christmas” Business Sponsor was Roberts Auto Center. Paula Kennedy began the event by singing the Star Spangled Banner. News Channel 8 Sports Director Chris Lincoln and Investigative Reporter Cindy Morrison, were the 2008 Media Marshalls.  Carl Osborn served as Grand Marshall. With an estimated attendance of more than 8,000 people Pryor’s Parade of Lights has become one of the largest parades in Northeast Oklahoma.

For more information on this year's Christmas Parade click HERE.