by Isabella Carwile | Jan 17, 2025 | Community, Jobs, Membership, PCED Office, Property Development, Workforce
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release January 17, 2025
PAULDING – The Paulding County Economic Development Board recently hosted their first meeting of 2025. The business part of the meeting was entirely devoted to the forward progression and strategic plan development for the group. The short agenda meeting was long but impactful.
Prior to the business discussion, a presentation was made by Premier Bank. Local Paulding branch CEO Nicole Robinson, Business Loan Officer Danielle Fowler and VP of Treasury Sales Doug Blackwood shared the full line of business banking options and accounts available with Premier Bank. They then answered questions about the upcoming purchase of Premier by the WesBanco Bank. Although WesBanco is already established in Ohio, this would be their northernmost branch. Board members and the banking team discussed opportunities for potential growth in the county.
Business then turned to strategic planning. The board last did an in-depth dive into the Paulding County economic development strategic plan in 2022. The two-year plan has guided the office in a positive direction over that time. Since then, many things have changed in economic development, within the board and around the county.
The January 2025 meeting was dedicated to reviewing the many goals of that previous plan. Director Tim Copsey shared the goals and results with the board. Based on the reported results, the board is now tasked with developing an immediate plan for 2025 and early 2026 and a 2-3 year plan for the future. This generated great conversation as it was discussed what might be more beneficial to now add to the plan, and what certainly needs to come off. An example that may be added to the list, that wasn’t even noted in 2022, was the great need for residential housing. The adhoc strategic plan committee will convene again before the next official board meeting in March to put together a final plan to present to the full board for approval.
by Isabella Carwile | Jan 16, 2025 | Membership, PCED Office, Shoutout
We want to give a huge shoutout to the Antwerp Chamber of Commerce, who we celebrated as a 20-year investment member of Paulding County Economic Development! Thank you for your continued investment, constant support, and wonderful partnership!
#pauldingcountystrong
by Isabella Carwile | Jan 14, 2025 | Community, Jobs, Membership, Paulding County Business Weekly Radio Broadcast, PCED Office, Shoutout, Workforce
Hear it here! What did you say? Listen this week to the Paulding County Business Weekly podcast as Kim Molitor, owner of Buckeye Hearing in Paulding, shares with is what an advantage it is to have an audiologist here in the county and what a blessing this is for anyone needing testing or hearing assistance. Huge thank you to program sponsor, OhioMeansJobs. You can tune in to PCBW on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., or Click Here to Listen Online! Paulding County Business Weekly is also available in podcast form through Apple, Google & Spotify. #pauldingcountystrong
by Isabella Carwile | Jan 2, 2025 | Business Expansion, Community, Events, New Business, Shoutout
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release January 2, 2024
ANTWERP—The first Paulding County ribbon cutting of 2025 will be held here to introduce a new quality-of-life business opportunity to the region. Quarters On Us, LLC officially opened to the public on January 2.
Quarters On Us is a free-play arcade. Players pay for a pass to gain entry into the facility. Once inside, customers have free access to an entire collection of old video games, including the most famous games from the 1970s through the early 2000s. Pac-Man, Frogger, Galaga, Donkey Kong, Tron, Iron Horse, pinball machines, and so many more nostalgic games are available.
Players can continually play as long as the facility is open. Current hours with standard pricing for ages 5 and above include: Thursday 4-8p for $10; Friday 4-10p for $15; Saturday 10a-10p for $20 for the day or $15 after 4p and Sunday 4-8p for $10. With each of these options, customers can get a wristband for the day. The wristband allows for re-entry into the arcade throughout the day. If you have little ones that need to be somewhere or you want to step out in town and eat or shop, this option allows you to return and play more.
Special pricing is also available. The “Last Call” special is $5 for the final hour any day the arcade is open. The “Cartoon” special allows a $10 entry to play as long as you wish. There is no re-entry permitted once you leave after purchasing special pricing options.
The arcade is owned by family entrepreneurs Josh & Dana Garmater and their son Titus, who will also operate the facility. The Garmater’s own the “More than Boutique” business, also located in the village.
The arcade project has been a true community project. Located in the former laundry mat at 102 South Cleveland Street, the Garmater family completely renovated the building for the new use. Once the renovation was complete, local businesses were contracted for additional work. West Bend Printing & Publishing was contracted to design and install window prints while Antwerp graduate and artist Shayla Thomas, owner of Art by Shayla, was contracted to design and paint the beautiful new and exciting murals on the building.
Titus Garmater stated, “Our family has always been very involved in the Antwerp community. When we decided to open an arcade, we liked the idea of doing it in Antwerp. We wanted to provide an opportunity for students after school and something the whole family could enjoy. We want the public to know that Quarters On Us is here for the community. We want people of all ages, and all income levels to have access to the fun.”
The arcade was recently opened for a “test” run to the Antwerp first responders. The group got acquainted with the facility and how the system works. The first responders thoroughly enjoyed themselves and based on exciting responses, the business idea seems to be a great addition to the community.
Paulding County Economic Development Director Tim Copsey explained, “Anytime we can have local entrepreneurs invest in the county, you have the opportunity for another new business to succeed. People like to support local. We thank the Garmater’s for choosing Paulding County, and specifically Antwerp, to start this new business. A business like this, which is not available in every community, will import people into town from communities all around the region once the word gets out. We are excited to help them promote and market this new business.”
The arcade will join the MAC Gym and Pin-A-Rama Bowling Alley as Antwerp local outlets for students to enjoy life, while parents and guardians may stop in at the Genesis House for coffee, Oasis Bar & Grill, Puckerbrush Pizza or Hops Place for food and beverage, or just stop at one of the several convenience stores in town. Collectively this will enhance the quality-of-life options offered in the county.
For more information about the arcade visit their Facebook page at Quarters On Us, LLC.
by Isabella Carwile | Dec 31, 2024 | Community, Jobs, Paulding County Business Weekly Radio Broadcast
Listen in this week as we hear from our new Paulding County Clerk of Courts elect Sarah Harpel. Sarah shares her experiences that led her to the position and what the clerk of court position does for Paulding County. We want to give a huge 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 Click Here to Listen Online! PCBW is also available in podcast form through Apple, Google & Spotify. #pauldingcountystrong
