FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 6, 2026
PAULDING — American Electric Power (AEP) Ohio has announced the Paulding County Economic Development office as one of 18 community economic development organizations across Ohio to receive a Local Economic Advancement Program (LEAP) grant.
In 2026, AEP Ohio is distributing more than $461,000 through the LEAP program to help organizations across its service territory plan their local economies’ futures, prepare local industrial sites for new businesses and support creative ways to introduce their communities to existing and prospective employers.
“These recipients are helping make their communities better places to live and work, and as a proud member of the communities we serve, we’re honored to support the important work of our neighbors,” said Zach Miller, director of economic development for AEP Ohio.
The Paulding County award will be used in conjunction with the Residential Economic Development District (REDD) grant received by the Village of Antwerp. This award additional award will help bring the electric service into the site designated for residential development and potential commercial growth.
Tim Copsey, Director of the Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office explained, “This award provides the ability to stack incentives and helps us provide future affordable growth in rural Ohio. We are thankful to accept this award from AEP on behalf of the Antwerp Village. We are excited for the opportunity to see how this project improves the Paulding County.”
Seventeen local economic development organizations received a LEAP grant this year:
- Cambridge Guernsey County Community Improvement Corporation
- City of Canton
- Holmes County Economic Development Council
- Jackson County Economic Development Partnership
- Jefferson County Port Authority
- Lancaster Port Authority
- Lawrence Economic Development Corporation
- Ohio Southeast Economic Development
- Regional Growth Partnership
- Team NEO
- Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation
- University of Rio Grande
- Wayne County Economic Development Council
- Defiance County Community Improvement Corporation
- Mid-Ohio Development Exchange
- Paulding County Community Improvement Corporation
- Wyandot County Collaboration
