Paulding Economic Development Council (PEDCO) was established in December 1984 as a resource to develop new opportunities in Paulding County. PEDCO was formally an arm of the Paulding Village Community Improvement Corporation and the Antwerp Community Improvement Corporation. The Council hired its first director on February 1, 1985. The council filed for and was granted 501 C 3 status on June 18, 2003, as Paulding County Economic Development, Inc. commonly referred to as PCED. Today the mission of PCED is to assist business, industry and local government in developing job opportunities in Paulding County. PCED also works on an ongoing basis to provide programs for new business development, financial incentives, business marketing assistance, and networking opportunities.