Gardens of Paulding under new ownership

Gardens of Paulding under new ownership

Lionstone Care, an assisted living facility and skilled nursing care management company, assumed ownership of Gardens of Paulding on January 1, 2023. Advertising Director Natasha McIntire, who has been with Gardens of Paulding for two years, says the new owners want members of the community to know Gardens is no longer operating under Paragon Management, and are taking major strides to change the narrative.

Facility Administrator Deb Sawyer, who has been at Gardens since March 2022, says she is “quite excited” about the takeover, saying that “Lionstone Care does seem to really, truly care.”

Several changes have occurred in recent months at the facility. Since October 2022, the facility  added 11 nurses to its staff. Sawyer spoke highly of her staff and of the recruiting process saying, “If we need assistance, they [Lionstone] will help in the recruiting, but right now it’s basically at the facility level. We are extremely lucky in the fact that we have done some major recruiting ourselves.”

Another change implemented by Lionstone, that facility employees appreciate and benefit from, is taking the admission processes out of the hands of facility employees.  This has allowed the staff to focus on the needs and preparations of incoming residents. “That seems to be a thing with this company; they don’t want us to have to be on conference calls or doing tons of paperwork. Let’s be out. Let’s be with the residents.”

Sawyer is committed to her work and to the lives of her residents and has lived in Paulding her whole life. “This building is very special to me, I want to see it succeed. I want us to be the place that, if needed, it’s where you want to come, especially if you’re from Paulding. I want them to feel like, ‘I’m going to my hometown nursing home because I’m treated like family and they do care.’”

A couple of residents recently moved from a sister facility owned by the previous company and expressed to Sawyer how much they like the “home atmosphere,” saying her staff was “so nice and so sweet and caring,” which Sawyer attributes to living small-town life in Paulding.

Residents are also “very excited” now that they’re out of some of the covid restrictions.  Eating out in the dining room, encouraging visitation and group activities has all returned. Volunteer programs also took a hit during covid, and Sawyer is pleased to report that they’re finally able to start bringing volunteers back.

“It’s a gorgeous building, very active with multiple activities,” says McIntire, who wants the Gardens to get more integrated into the community to increase their presence.

There will be an Open House with light refreshments at the Gardens of Paulding on Thursday, March 23 from 5 – 7 p.m. The management team will be there to meet, introduce, give tours and answer any questions.

The Gardens of Paulding is located at 199 Rd 103, Paulding, OH. For more information, call (419) 399-4940.

Small Business Innovation Center (SBIC)

Small Business Innovation Center (SBIC)

The Small Business Innovation Center (SBIC) located between the Paulding Area Foundation building and the Board of Elections has multiple office spaces available for rent.

Managed by the Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office, the SBIC was established in 2015 to offer an economical business office setting to young, growing businesses or established businesses located outside of the immediate area. With a prime location “on the square,” these businesses have the opportunity to gauge community support and maximize their visibility to determine if opening their own storefront would be viable or beneficial. Ideally, these businesses would flourish and eventually require their own permanent spaces from vacant storefronts in Paulding County or those in need of refurbishment.

AgCredit, a member-owned farm credit lending firm from northwest Ohio,

was the first business to take advantage of the SBIC opportunity and turn it into a success. After establishing a temporary office in the SBIC, AgCredit made their move in the fall of 2020 into a revamped retail space at 839 N. Williams St and added more members to their team.

Other businesses have taken up residence in the SBIC temporarily while their future locations were either under construction or yet to be established. Paulding’s probate court temporarily occupied one of the SBIC’s office suites before moving to its permanent location on McDonald Pike. In 2020, The Union Bank expanded into Paulding by utilizing the SBIC reception area and office suite while their future location on Main St in Paulding was under renovation. The Red Angel Pizza finished out their careers with their home office in the SBIC.

PCED Director Tim Copsey noted, “The SBIC has been instrumental in establishing office space for many new and existing businesses in Paulding County. We look forward to what the future brings for the next businesses in occupying the open space.”

 

What the SBIC offers

The SBIC consists of two levels of rentable office spaces. The main entrance opens to the reception area with approximately 240 sq ft and plenty of workspace with two seating areas.

Between the reception area and community office area are four, 10′ x 12′ office suites. The community area is equipped with a workspace, file storage, restrooms and a full kitchenette including a microwave, sink and refrigerator. Three of the suites are currently occupied by PC Waste Management, Maid to Achieve, and United Edge Real Estate and Auction.

At the far end of the lower level is a community boardroom that seats up to 12 people.

All of the spaces are powered and equipped with wifi.

Upstairs, there is a total of five rentable office spaces, four of which are currently occupied. There are two conference rooms available to rent by the hour. Northwest State Community College has held conferences in this space and Paulding Entrepreneurial Network (PEN) holds meetings there twice a month.

Businesses that currently occupy the upper-level offices are Habitat for Humanity, Family First Bail Bondsman, Papin Photography and Northwest Ohio Wind.

Available spaces for rent

There is currently one upstairs office space available for rent, as well as the reception area and one office suite on the lower level now that Union Bank has moved into its new location next to Grounded Coffee & Crumbs on Main St.

For more information about the SBIC, or for a tour of these spaces, contact Office Manager Kristen Schilt at 419-399-8295, or office@pced.net.

Business owner receives support to make building enhancements.

Business owner receives support to make building enhancements.

Paulding County Economic Development Press Release June 23, 2022

Business owner receives support to make building enhancements.

PAULDING, OH – Cassidy Atkins entrepreneur and owner of Fur-Tastic Pups Dog Grooming in Cecil, OH is the first recipient of the Small Business Support Loan through the Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office. This fund was made possible by the Paulding County Area Foundation and was established just three months ago to help small businesses in Paulding County.

Having met with PCED, Atkins shared the need at her facility to have a door installed in an exterior wall to allow for the dogs to access the outdoors and fenced-in yard. PCED was able to share the Small Business Support Loan opportunity with Atkins, where she applied and was accepted to be loaned funds to help move the project forward.

Paulding County Economic Development Director, Tim Copsey noted, “Partnering with the Paulding County Area Foundation has allowed this first opportunity for a small business to happen. In a time when things are very uncertain, being able to offer something like this to small businesses reassures them Paulding County is business friendly and that our not for profit groups are supportive. We are excited for Cassidy and her business. This is just the beginning for this program.”

Fur-Tastic Pups is a full-service, bath and grooming salon for dogs. Atkins opened her doors in April and is currently accepting new clients. You can find Fur-Tastic Pups on Facebook or call 419-670-8802.

To learn more about programs and resources available for small businesses check out the PCED website at www.pced.net; or email Kristen Schilt, Office Manager at office@pced.net.

Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Committee reconvened this week

The newly revised Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Committee reconvened this week.  This group of financial advisors from PCED Members Union Bank, Premier Bank, State Bank, Antwerp Exchange Bank, First Financial Bank, Citizens National Bank, Sherwood State Bank and Farmers & Merchants Bank is incredible to be around.  We learn something from this group every time.  For a guy that doesn’t have much financial background, this group is a blessing to this office.  We will update the county RLF plan and prepare to make the best use of these available funds.  Did you know these funds are available and what these funds do?  (Neither did I).  These funds can be used in conjunction with conventional bank loans.  They can put business loans, that might not quite make the cut with a bank, over the top to help make your business dreams come true.  For more information reach out to PCED Office Manager Kristen Schilt to set up an appointment to discuss the options.  office@pced.net or 419-399-8295

Cooper Farms Receives PCED Membership Award

Cooper Farms Receives PCED Membership Award

When it comes to corporate business helping out in the community, Paulding County is blessed. Cooper Farms ranks right there at the top. Besides being Paulding County’s largest employer, Cooper Farms make sure every project moves forward. Whether your project be libraries, safety equipment, the fairgrounds, Paulding County Economic Development, or a hundred other items, Cooper Farms has our back.

Receiving their 20 year investment membership award this year are Cooper Farms. Their commitment to investing in the future of Paulding is longstanding. The PCED office acknowledges Cooper Farms for 20 years of continued membership support!


Your PCED office wasn’t able to host our annual appreciation banquet in 2020, but it didn’t mean we didn’t have great things happening. 2020 was the 20th year of having an Economic Development office in Paulding County. With that we want to acknowledge and thank those that have been investment members with PCED since the beginning. THANK YOU Greg Cooper and Diane Cooper! It’s partners like you that keep us all #pauldingcountystrong

Leinard Mobile Home Park Changes Ownership

Leinard Mobile Home Park Changes Ownership

Saturday April 17 was a special day for many people of Antwerp. Mary Leinard, who has owned the Leinard Mobile Home Park for many years, and previously her father, presented a banquet for people in her life that made a difference in her small part of the world that she loves – Antwerp, Ohio. The event took place at Grant’s Catering and Mary had brought in live music and lots of friends! The hall was full of fun and memories. Some of the residents have been there up to 35 years and even third generation families have been there.

Everyone who knows Mary understands that she runs a tight ship and keeps the park in tip-top shape, which means that it’s a really great place to live!

Mary presented to everyone there the new owners of Leinard Mobile Home Park – Andrew and Jill Elbrecht. Andrew stated that he intends to keep the same high standards to ensure it stays a great place to live! He appreciates all the work that Mary has done, and everyone recognized the importance of her work here, both for housing and the economy. We appreciate Mary, and welcome Andrew & Jill!

Pictured (l-r) are Sue Fowler and Angel Steiner from the Antwerp Chamber of Commerce, Jill and Andrew Elbrecht, new owners of Leinard Mobile Home Park, Mary Leinard, and Tim Copsey of the Paulding County Economic Development.
Photo credit: West Bend News