by Office Manager | Jun 27, 2022 | Business Expansion, Community, New Business, PCED Office
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.
by Tim Copsey | Dec 21, 2021 | Business Expansion, Funding, New Business
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
by Tim Copsey | Apr 29, 2021 | Business Expansion
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
by Tim Copsey | Apr 28, 2021 | Business Expansion, New Business
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
by Tim Copsey | Apr 19, 2021 | Business Expansion, New Business
The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce welcomed the new owners the Genesis House this week with members of the Chamber of Commerce. The ribbon cutting is a standard procedure for new business in Antwerp, and new business owners is no different. Cris and Amy Hopkins took over the coffee house and restaurant location on April 1st from the previous owner, Cindy Yenser.
Pictured here (l-r) are: Sue Fowler, Denise Coleman, Mandy Miller, Cris, Amy, & Darci Hopkins, Tawnya English, Reta Ptak, and Mike Schneider
by Tim Copsey | Apr 19, 2021 | Business Expansion
The Paulding County Mayors Association recently held its quarterly meeting at the Paulding County OSU Extension building here with all 11 of the county’s villages represented.
Paulding County Economic Development Director Tim Copsey asked the mayors to continue to develop their goals and strategies for infrastructure needs.
He explained that if “we can get a ‘top 5’ list of projects from each village that we could put them all together on a spreadsheet and let the mayors of the county view them and rank them by need. In doing this and adding a tentative timeline, the county may be able to get better funding in committing the majority of funds toward one large project in the county rather than spreading funding out over two or three projects each year.”
Copsey noted that the mayors have been asked to submit their list prior to the next meeting, which is planned in July.
Continuing with the collaboration discussion, Copsey also brought up the need to think about collaborating on projects. Rather than having two neighboring small villages invest in new water or sewer plants, he asked if a line from the reservoir could be run to have good water flowing all the time.
“Not only would it save costs on water plant operators it could also open up a lot of area supplied by municipal water and provide opportunity for further economic development, he stated. “It would take more than collaboration from the villages involved, it would also include discussion with township officials. The development of a water district would put Paulding County in the same development discussions with surrounding counties that have already made this move, and put us ahead of those counties that haven’t.”
Discussion will continue, Copsey added.
Paulding County EMA Director Ed Bohn presented the group with the tentative maximum amounts each village could possibly receive from the American Rescue Plan. Bohn noted that county and village distribution will come directly from the federal government. If the townships also receive funds they will come directly from Ohio. Although there is not a definitive list of what these funds can be used for, there was great discussion on tentative uses and projects these could not be used for.
Paulding Commissioner Roy Klopfenstein gave a history of the PC Land Reutilization Corporation and where it stands today including listing the board members: Klopfenstein, Commissioner Mark Holtsberry, Paulding County Treasurer Lou Ann Wannemacher, Paulding Mayor Greg White and local businessman Mike Kauser.
Klopfenstein wants the mayors group to continue to think about possible properties to submit for the PCLRC. Klopfenstein also took the time to follow up on some of the information Bohn had presented.
Each mayor was provided time to bring up any thoughts or questions to the group. There was discussion about condemning properties and better utilization of social services network connections were two topics along with the Paulding County EMA’s early involvement in flood and railroad mitigation.
Copsey rounded out the meeting by mentioning workforce development and the need for good village utility workers from around the county. He suggested that if any mayors or councils have suggestions on putting a training program together that there could be training help from Northwest State Community College or Vantage Vocational School as well as funding help from Ohio Means Jobs.
Copsey also noted that Maumee Valley Planning is a valuable resource that all villages should be using in any project or funding discussions.
