by Isabella Carwile | Sep 11, 2024 | Community, Jobs, Workforce
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release September 11, 2024
PAULDING– The two-star awarded Paulding County Business Advisory Council (BAC) Committee participated in their third quarter meeting this week. The meeting was moved to the Junior Leadership Building on the county fairground campus as remediation continues at the OSU Extension building.
Nineteen business leaders and educators introduced themselves and met to discuss the continued growth of the council and how it can benefit school, student, and business relationships in the future.
The highlight of the meeting was the introduction of data from the county-wide YouScience results. Over the past two years county students, at all three county schools, have participated in the YouScience aptitude assessment modules. YouScience modules are developed to help students understand what employment sector they most commonly align with, versus what they think they want to do after school. The contrast is eye-opening for many students and their teachers. The data was shared for 16 different business sectors including education, manufacturing, agriculture finance, and more. YouScience is funded through Vantage Career Center for all of their 13 participating schools.
“We were continually told by educational services groups that are ahead of us in these assessments, that the number one interest by students will be in education. Every student is familiar and aware of teachers and most think that is what they want to be. When the data came out it was spot on. 319 of the 711 students who completed the modules noted their interest in education. Only 99 students actually had an aptitude for education. There was more than a 3-1 ratio of students who do not have an aptitude for teaching “think” they should be in education. It proves that students relate to what they are exposed to. We have to make a concerted effort with our Paulding County students to introduce and expose them to other business sectors before they make college major choices or choose a business industry path that may not suit them at all,” explained Paulding County Economic Director Tim Copsey. “Introducing students to a variety of employment sectors available right out of high school, or after college, will help guide to them choices that benefit them down the road earlier and with less expense. That is our goal.”
The county schools all shared updates of innovative opportunities they are providing in their respective schools. Vantage Career Center also shared exciting new and updated information about school student and adult programming. It was also reported that during the 2023-24 school year a whopping 1853 credentials were issued. That was up 34% from the previous year. It was also shared that career center enrollment was up another 56 students this school year.
The important item of the meeting was that the new state required 2024-25 school year BAC template is due to Columbus before September 30. Schools and businesses are asked to submit any business-student activities that promote collaboration. All of the collective results will be submitted for review and graded in the two-to-four-star categories at the state level. Paulding County went from no rating in 2022-23 to a two-star rating last year. The hope is to maintain the two-star or improve again this school year.
The group will convene for their fourth quarter meeting December 11.
by Isabella Carwile | Sep 10, 2024 | Community, Membership, New Business, Paulding County Business Weekly Radio Broadcast
Hear about one of Paulding County’s new businesses, Hidn Treasures. This business is located at 1007 North Williams Street in Paulding. Not only are there more than 50 individual vendors located in this space, but they also offer a U-Haul rental for all your rental hauling needs.
Thank you to OhioMeansJobs for sponsoring this program. You can tune in to Paulding County Business Weekly on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., or listen online at www.my1027.org/paulding-county-business-weekly/. PCBW is also available on many podcast platforms including Apple, Google & Spotify. #pauldingcountystrong
by Isabella Carwile | Sep 9, 2024 | Community, Events, Membership
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release September 9, 2024
OAKWOOD – A staple Paulding County venue for outdoor activities held a kick-off event here to introduce their fall line-up on Saturday. Paulding County Economic Development hosted a ribbon cutting for Auglaize Canoe & Kayak, on the Weller Farm, to unveil their two new corn mazes and many other events and opportunities for the 2024 fall season. The big attraction is the nine-acre corn maze. This year the maze will be patterned for the logo of “Limitless” in Paulding.
Liz Weller, Auglaize Canoe and Kayak business owner, shared how the collaboration came about, “Our family loves everything about Limitless and we are so excited to design our corn maze in their honor. As you follow the path around the maze you will learn several facts about Limitless, revealing three of their positive mottos”.
In addition to the large corn maze, new this year is a smaller “Jurassic” themed maze that allows for younger family members to also participate in the fun. There will be upcoming announcements on a trick-or-treat event hosted inside the maze, helicopter candy drop and also an evening flashlight event.
If corn mazes aren’t your thing, guests can walk through the four-acre pumpkin patch and pick your own pumpkin, or simply choose one of the already picked pumpkins. They are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Also available is a wagon ride around the farm with a spectacular fall view along the river the beautiful Auglaize River. The family owned 1947 Allis Chalmers tractor will pull a wagon full of guests on a guided tour of straw bales complete with “celebrity themed” scarecrows. The ride continues through a skeleton themed movie reenactment with a fan favorite celebrity participant at the end to complete the ride.
In addition, there are many other opportunities for guests of all ages to participate or view. Fall wouldn’t be complete without fresh-pressed apple cider, which the Weller family makes on site with their antique cider press, and has full gallon or half gallon options available for purchase. There is putt-putt golf, a youth barrel train ride, a playground including a child size cabin, bounce house, a campfire to enjoy sitting near the river by the fire or cooking smores, ample fall picture setting opportunities for fall themed senior or family pictures, selfies, beautiful fall nature in general, and much more. In addition to the cider, the farm also produces honey. The canoe and kayak livery options continue to be open and available. A variety of participating food trucks will be on site on weekends.
The Weller Farm, owned by Doug & Bonnie Weller, started hosting the Canoe & Kayak venue in 2013. As business and attendance picked up, additional opportunities were added and offered. In 2021 the pumpkin patch and corn mazes were added. The Wellers continue to listen to feedback from guests and strive to improve. The input helps with growth through new business options each year. The farm is now the largest importer of guests to Paulding County. In 2023 the facility hosted more than 10,000 customers. Business is well on pace to exceed that number in 2024.
Paulding County Economic Development Director Tim Copsey noted, “The Auglaize Canoe and Kayak business, located on the Weller Farm, just continues to improvise and adjust to customer requests and demand. It is just astounding to drive over the Auglaize River and see the amount of boaters in the water, knowing all the other activities on the farm are busy too. The corn maze just adds to the interest and pulls attendance from all over the region.”
Come out and see everything the farm has to offer for a quick visit or spend the day. Whether you live in the city, and yearn to feel a little bit of the natural outdoors, or live in the country and experience this atmosphere all the time, Weller Farm offers a new experience for you. The farm, located at 24821 Road 207 just off the Putnam/Paulding County line road, is open 9a-5p on Saturdays and noon-5p on Sunday, through October 31.
There is also opportunity to schedule weekday and evening events by appointment. The farm has hosted school field trips, youth groups and family reunions, but there is always room to discuss options for any other group opportunities for interested guests. For admission pricing or more detailed information, call 419-594-3456, visit the website www.auglaizecanoe.com or check their social media on Facebook or Instagram. This year there are $1 off admission price coupons available at the Limitless store or PC Workshop in Paulding.
by Isabella Carwile | Sep 6, 2024 | Community, Events, Jobs, Workforce
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release Sept. 3, 2024
Paulding – The Van Wert County Economic Development office will be hosting a “Build your Future” event on September 18th, 2024 at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. All Paulding County schools are invited to attend this year’s event. This event will be divided into two sessions – a morning session + afternoon session.
Here’s a recap of the event.
Vantage students in Carpentry, Construction, Electricity, Industrial Mechanics, & Welding, along with local business partners & sponsors, provide local freshman & sophomores hands on activities related to the Industrial field. The students work their way through multiple booths featuring different activities where they can weld, frame a wall, use a skid loader, etc.
The event will bring freshman & sophomore students from all three Paulding County high schools to learn about, meet and discuss future opportunities with area businesses.
“This event is an opportunity for students to become familiarized with local business and what they do, gain awareness of various careers, get leads on summer employment and much more. We understand that each student is in a different place with job and future education decisions. Our hope with this event is to meet students where they are in that decision process and help provide them with numerous options to consider for their future.” stated Economic Development, Administer Assistant, Jessica Stechschulte.
The event will run 1st session; 9 am – 11 am. 2nd session; 12 pm- 2 pm. Each school will then bus their students to the event on the hour for forty-five minutes.
Students will be provided with all safety PPE materials needed upon arrival.
by Isabella Carwile | Aug 28, 2024 | Community, Membership, Paulding County Business Weekly Radio Broadcast
This week on the Paulding County Business Weekly podcast we have Heather Matusiak, Branch Manager of the Antwerp, Bryan, and Shelbyville, IN credit unions. Heather shares how Paulding County’s only in-county credit union is member-owned, allowing a slightly different look at financial support and business. Listen in to hear how GenFed is working hard to get their name out into the community and grow #pauldingcountystrong
Thank you to OhioMeansJobs for sponsoring this program. You can tune in on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or Click Here to Listen Online! Paulding County Business Weekly is also available on many podcast platforms including Apple, Google & Spotify. #pauldingcountystrong
