by Isabella Carwile | Apr 8, 2025 | Business Expansion, Community, Events, Jobs, Membership, PCED Office, Shoutout, Workforce
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release April 7, 2025
PAULDING – The Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office recently hosted their annual Business, Industry & College Showcase event at the Paulding County OSU Extension Building. The building buzzed with energy as students explored promising career pathways and learned more about Paulding County business as they connected with industry leaders.
Junior and senior students from Antwerp, Paulding, Wayne Trace, and county homeschool students were invited to attend. These students engaged with 52 exhibitors representing businesses, colleges, and non-profit organizations from across the region, discovering exciting opportunities to shape their futures.
This year, the event added a “touch-a-truck” type atmosphere. The Paulding County Sheriff’s office showcased a patrol unit SUV, drone demonstration, and tactical gear. The Paulding County Engineer’s office displayed a pick-up truck inside and a county snow plow truck outside for students to get close to and offering hands-on insight into local government operations. These exhibits added to the showcase filled with engaging and interactive presentations at 52 booths this year.
Paulding County students benefitted from YouScience, a self-assessment tool that helps them uncover their unique career potential. Color-coded career paths, based on their assessments, linked students with matching industries at the event. Equipped with passports, students were required to get a minimum of five business signatures as they journeyed booth to booth, exploring opportunities. Those who completed their passports entered a drawing for a $25 Marathon gift card, compliments of Love-Heitmeyer Funeral Home. One winner was drawn for each attending school. The YouScience assessment tool is provided by Vantage Career Center to each of their participating schools.
Jessica Stechschulte, PCED Administrative Assistant, praised the students’ enthusiasm: “Seeing the engagement of the students and fostering partnerships between local businesses and young talent to bridge workforce gaps is what makes this event a great success. We’re already excited to see what next year holds!”
In addition, the PCED office would like to thank Love-Heitmeyer Funeral Home for their generous donation, which contributed to the event’s resounding success.
by Isabella Carwile | Mar 11, 2025 | Business Expansion, Community, Events, New Business, Shoutout
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release March 11, 2025
ANTWERP – A new childcare-related business will be opening in the village. Co-owners Sierra Halter and Cheyenne Brown are putting their history of childcare experiences and social work to good use by opening the SunnyPatch Playroom.
The SunnyPatch Playroom, LLC is an organized and nurturing space where children can go to learn, play, and grow in a nurturing environment. The business was born from Halter and Brown’s shared dream of creating a space where families from all over the region can connect, play, and celebrate.
Founder Sierra Halter had a lifelong business dream and decided to combine business with her years of hands-on childcare experience. Her childcare background will allow her to balance the new business operations with a deep commitment to fostering student creativity, emotional growth, and cognitive development.
Cheyenne Brown brings a social work background and combines that with a similar passion for creating positive childhood experiences. Having years of experience supporting families, she understands the importance of family-friendly spaces. Her shared creativity and love for children shape SunnyPatch into a joyful, imaginative playroom where families can connect, celebrate, and grow with each other.
Together, the passionate owners are dedicated to offering a safe, community environment where children can thrive. The team will aim to attract children ages 1-6 years old but will offer a baby area for any child 12 months and under. The hope is to grow the business enough to get bigger play equipment to attract kids 7-10 in the future.
Located at 201 South Main Street, they invite you to an open house on Saturday, April 5 from 10 am-3 pm. The Playroom will then be open Monday through Thursday 8 am-3:30 pm; Friday 8 am-12 pm and Saturday from 8 am-10 pm. There will be timeslots available on Fridays to reserve the space for private play sessions and on Saturdays or Sundays to celebrate birthdays or other parties. You can learn more about the business through their Facebook or Instagram page.
by Isabella Carwile | Mar 11, 2025 | Business Expansion, Community, Events, New Business, PCED Office, Property Development, Shoutout
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release March 11, 2025
GROVER HILL – Last weekend the community of Grover Hill hosted a ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Hardware House in Grover Hill. The former hardware store building, located at 105 N. Main Street, now provides a 2000 square foot retail/commercial facility downstairs and a Airbnb type rental space upstairs. The rental offers a space to spend nights or weekend for individuals or small groups of up to 8 -10 people comfortably.
The space provides three bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, full stocked kitchen, full laundry room, high speed internet, smart TVs and a salt cave.
The building was purchased by owners Rob & Leslie Moser. They completely gutted the building, built in 1895 before indoor plumbing and electricity, and brought it fully up to state code. The sagging building needed to be squared up before a new roof, complete exterior remodel, new exterior stairs to the living space above, and all the amenities added to the inside.
The state-of-the-art facility is now up and running and open to the public. For views of the upgrade or more information you can find the facility on their Facebook page.
PICTURE: Left to right: GH Resident Linda Scarborough, Owner Leslie Moser, son Seth Moser; and GH Council members Trudy Wilkin, Candy Minck, Gabby Hook & Nick Myers.
by Isabella Carwile | Mar 11, 2025 | Business Expansion, Community, Jobs, Shoutout, Workforce
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release March 11, 2025
BROUGHTON – In the small community of Broughton, Ohio, a downtown business looms large and continues to grow. Nutri-Plus Fertilizer is a family-owned, local based company, that provides many agriculture services and allows the opportunity for their customers and growers to be good stewards of the land.
Nutri Plus is a trusted provider of high-quality agricultural products and services, dedicated to helping farmers achieve optimal crop health and maximize yields. Their offerings include premium fertilizers, custom application services, and advanced foliar blends tailored to the unique needs of each individual field. The Nutri Plus team services a four hour radius and is committed to servicing sustainable farming practices and empowering growers to thrive with personalized solutions and providing any expert guidance needed.
The list of services the group provides includes, but is not limited to, a full line of chemical and nutritional needs specializing in Agro Liquid from St. John, Michigan and P & L Fertilizer in Middle Point, Ohio, along with Rosen’s quality AG products and many other short line companies. The team can also provide VRT soil sampling and provide maps for variable rate recommendations.
The business started on the Ray Sinn Farm in 1978. Since that time, Kurt & Gary Sinn have expanded the facility. The family bought and grew the current site at 7909 Broughton Pike. With new room to grow, the team added infrastructure and resources to store additional liquid, add new application equipment, and additional capabilities of custom application and tassel corn applications along with added side dress applicators and nurse tanks for growers.
With the facility expansion, the next generation is filling roles within the company to ensure its long-term success. Knowing this, the business utilizes highly motivated employees looking to learn about, and enjoy, the agriculture sector. The positions include applicators, driving a truck to move fertilizer, and general labor.
Other family businesses include Ebel’s Butcher Shop and market, GKS Farm and Sow Farm. The faith-based businesses strive to develop relationships and provide resources to ensure the success of their customers and business partners.
For more information about any of the businesses, their products, or services, please review their Nutri-Plus website, Nutriplusfertilizer.com or call Taylor Reichert at 419-786-9311 or the main office at 419-786-8273.
by Isabella Carwile | Feb 20, 2025 | Business Expansion, Community, For Sale, Jobs, PCED Office, Property Development
PAULDING COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRESS RELEASE February 20, 2025
PAULDING – The Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office recently hosted a regional Realtor Roundtable discussion on Friday, February 14th. The purpose of the roundtable was to hear directly from Megan Foos, the Chief Executive Officer of the Northwest Ohio Realtors Association, and allow time to address the obstacles and concerns faced by realtors.
Many regional realtors were invited to attend. Representatives from Strahley Realty, Gorrell Brothers Realty, Foltz Realty, Realty 5, and Coldwell Banker Classic Properties attended.
In addition, two students from Wayne Trace High School, who have an interest in researching whether realty is a good fit for their future, participated in the round table.
Foos shared data about average home sale prices in the region and county, in addition to a number of home sales. Realtors expressed their concerns about the lack of current viable inventory, although it was noted that this is a nationwide issue, not just in Paulding County.
Another noted significant concern was the language barriers faced by realtors when working with individuals who do not speak English proficiently. This seems to be a growing issue in the county and region. The group shared a variety of options they have been using to overcome the barrier.
The students were asked what questions they had in regard to both this meeting and the industry overall. Lots of interactive discussions followed as the realtors shared best and worst practices in their training and development in the industry. Foos shared various educational opportunities available to new and established realtors. This led to Ohio Tech Cred discussion in regard to training reimbursement funding available.
In what has become a resourceful, requested, and welcome annual meeting in Paulding County, the meeting closed out with open questions and valuable insights shared and addressed by attendees.
by Isabella Carwile | Feb 20, 2025 | Business Expansion, Community, PCED Office, Property Development, Workforce
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release February 19, 2025
PAULDING, OH – The Paulding County Commissioners, Economic Development Director Tim Copsey, and Eric Davis, from Wessler Engineering, Bluffton, met in the commissioner’s office recently to discuss a water feasibility study at the US24-Highway 127 interchange, located north of Paulding near the Crane Township – Emerald Township line.
Davis explained the scope of the project is to determine the most feasible way of making drinking water available at the intersection for potential economic development in the future. The study will also include the feasibility of bringing water to the Village of Cecil. Davis stated, “The intent of the study is to look at every possibility and determine the best potential to bring water to this intersection. Is that bringing it north from the Village of Paulding? Is it bringing water south from Sherwood under the Maumee River? Could it be connecting to a potential water line that would come from Defiance City to the mega-site near the Defiance County line? Is it establishing a well and water treatment plant near Cecil? All of these options need to be reviewed to confirm the most feasible option. The study can then be used to generate federal and state grant funding options to make this project a reality in the future.”
The county commissioners verbally committed $22,500 upon initial discussion. For the last several months Copsey met with Crane, Paulding, Emerald Townships, and Cecil Village to explain the importance of the project and to raise the rest of the funding required to pay for this study. The Townships each invested $5800 and the Village of Cecil invested $350.
Copsey commented, “The investment into this water study is a true commitment of our elected officials to the future growth of the economy in Paulding County. As Ft. Wayne grows further east, the Defiance industry grows further west, and traffic counts increase on both US24 and Highway 127, this intersection is becoming more and more attractive for future growth. We need to understand the cost for the potential development.”
Sewer system infrastructure will not be included in this study. Recent upgrades to the Cecil water treatment plant would be sufficient for initial development as the intersection is less than a mile away from the water treatment plant.
Davis noted that the study should be complete and results presented back to the group in the fourth quarter of 2025.
