For Immediate Release
March 9, 2026
ANTWERP – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced $9 million in statewide grant awards to support residential growth and workforce housing. Among the top recipients is the Village of Antwerp (Paulding County), which secured $2.3 million to advance a long-anticipated workforce housing development positioned along the US24 highway.
Other award recipients include: the City of Youngstown (Mahoning County) – $2.5 million; the City of Hamilton (Butler County) – $2.5 million; the City of Lancaster (Fairfield County) – $1 million and the City of Warren (Trumbull County) – $851,000
These five awards were selected from 48 applicants who requested a combined $99 million, placing Antwerp’s project among the most competitive and highest-ranked proposals in the state.
The project represents one of the most significant housing investments in county history and stands as a testament to persistence, partnership, and community vision.
The Antwerp development project began with the completion of the US24 highway in 2012. At that time, the Antwerp, Payne, Paulding County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) secured a purchase option agreement on approximately 30 acres in the northwest corner of the US24–State Route 49 interchange.
As more detailed marketing efforts progressed, it became clear in 2020 that the option did not include US24 frontage, nor a designated access point into the property. A critical breakthrough came when Jane and Leo Stumphy donated a residential property located between the optioned land and SR49, enabling access into the option property. Kauser Excavation removed an existing building structure on the property and leveled the ground surface. This allowed the Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office to apply for and secure a $350,000 Ohio Department of Development grant to construct 300’ of easement road, surface drainage, and curbing, demonstrating to potential investors that the community was committed to a long-term growth plan.
New discussions then began with the highway frontage property owners, the Marlin family and Antwerp Community Church. One of the parcels was located in Carryall Township, the other in Antwerp Village. This led to a plethora of meetings between 2021 and 2024 involving PCED, the CIC, Village of Antwerp leadership and elected officials, Carryall Township trustees, County Commissioners, County Auditor office, County Engineer office, and two related Powell, Ohio-based investment groups—BMJW Investments, LLC and MWB Investments, LLC. These meetings ultimately brought the property all into the village and secured options on the entire 90‑acre area between Antwerp Local School and US24.
In 2025, the two Powell, Ohio‑based investment groups completed the land purchase and began planning what is now known as Antwerp Square. Their early work included surveys and environmental studies to prepare the site for potential funding opportunities. To qualify for this particular grant, the project needed to demonstrate at least 100 residential build lots, which the Antwerp Square plan meets. The awarded funds will support the extension of roads, water, sewer, and natural gas needed to bring those new homes to market.
A second access easement was now needed for the newly acquired US24 frontage. The best fit was a 1.2-acre parcel, also owned by Antwerp Community Church. It is located between the church parking lot and the Dollar General building. Although the CIC and church quickly reached a purchase option agreement, immediate funds were not available.
To bridge the gap, the CIC invited investors to sponsor the naming of the first existing easement road. Mrs. Sue Meyer stepped forward, securing naming rights as Meyer Avenue. Her family’s contribution enabled the CIC to purchase the final easement lot and complete the land control required for this project.
The Paulding County Economic Development office coordinated communication and project management throughout the 14-year process. Current PCED Director Tim Copsey emphasized the extraordinary teamwork behind the effort:
“This grant award was made possible because of the amazing collaboration of so many forward-thinking individuals, groups, elected officials, and businesses over the years that could see a goal of growing the Antwerp community together. Starting with that very first property option, positive help came through the Stumphy donation, Kauser Excavating team, Pastor Rick Grimes and the church board, the Nazarene District Board, the Marlin family, the Meyer family, Antwerp Village representatives and council members past and present, the township, PC Auditor, Engineer, Commissioners, Prosecutor, the CIC Board of Directors, BMJW and MWB Investment groups, the list goes on. At one point, seven sets of attorneys were involved.”
“It has been quite a learning experience. There was anxiety, stress, and if we are being honest, at times we thought we weren’t going to get this over the finish line. Determination guided us throughout this project. We are blessed with so much collaboration. Having the Ohio Department of Development recognize this as one of the top five workforce development projects in all of Ohio makes it all worthwhile.”
With state funding now secured, Antwerp is positioned to move forward with a residential development that will attract new families, support workforce needs, and strengthen long‑term population growth in the community and Paulding County.
