by Office Manager | Dec 19, 2023 | Community, Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), Property Development
PAULDING – The December meeting of the Paulding County Land Reutilization Committee (Land Bank) was hosted at the office of the Paulding County Commissioners.
Matt Wagner, with EPA consultant Tetra Tech, shared that the long-awaited letter of approval from the US Army Corps of Engineers has finally been received. The letter confirms that the bodies of water located on the former Stokely and Grizzley properties were man-made and are not actual designated Ohio wetlands. With this confirmation the water can be drained and the property leveled for approved future development. As the committee establishes criteria for a future excavation bidding, the current owner of the former Grizzley brake factory, Arvin Environmental Management, LLC. has committed to some property border foliage remediation and fence repair on the site.
The Paulding theatre building and adjoining Noneman building demolition will begin after the first of the year. There continues to be research in regard to an adjoining wall on the west side of the theatre with a neighboring building. Legal pieces are taking place to make sure everything is legally covered should the demolition of the wall hurt the integrity of that building. The entire project must be complete by June 2024 for the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) funding to be used. The committee and Wagner are making sure the timeline will be met.
In regard to the residential and commercial blight removal program, completed applications continue to flow in. Estee Miller, Planner with Maumee Valley Planning Organization, shared the updated list of Paulding County completed applications that have been received. The committee discussed the list and also noted the several properties that applications have been sent out but not yet received. The group understands there may be more applications this year than funds to provide remediation for all properties. The committee will begin prioritizing the list. The applications will be submitted to the state by April 1, 2024.
Miller also shared that the remaining $50,000 in funding from the first round of ODOD residential funds was approved to be used for existing projects. This allowed four more projects to be bid for remediation. These properties should see demolition work starting immediately.
Paulding County Economic Development Director, Tim Copsey updated the committee on the properties located on the Paulding County side of the Village of Scott. A good meeting with the village council provided the detailed information requested by the county health department in regard to sewer and water connections there. This should allow future new residential development on the four Paulding County Land Bank owned properties including a potential new Vantage Career Center student-built home. If all details worked out the home would not begin until the 2025-26 school year.
The committee closed out the meeting going into executive session to discuss additional properties to acquire for potential remediation. No decisions were made. The land bank will continue to accept and work with property owners looking to find relief for properties that are behind on taxes or they are struggling to maintain or keep up.
by Office Manager | Dec 19, 2023 | Business Expansion, Community, Jobs, Membership, New Business
Join us Tuesday and Thursday at 8 AM and 5 PM on 102.7 FM for a new PCBW episode with Angie Freese, representing Antwerp Main Street Business Center, Hormann’s Heating & Cooling, and Geenex Solar. Missed it on air? No problem, catch the episode anytime on your favorite podcast app. Angie talks us through a new affordable office and meeting space at Antwerp Main Street Business Center, which is perfect for small, new, or existing businesses looking for offices or meeting spaces. Plus, hear details about Hormann’s and Geenex Solar. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss! Thanks to our sponsor; OhioMeansJobs of Paulding County for allowing us to share more about our businesses with the community through this program!
LINK TO LISTEN ONLINE
by Office Manager | Dec 13, 2023 | Community, Events, Jobs, Workforce
PAULDING, OH – Baughman Tile Company recently hosted the final Paulding County Business Advisory Council (BAC) meeting for 2023. The quarterly meetings are open to all business professionals and educators, located in and around Paulding County, that are interested in developing communication between the two sectors. The goal is to make sure a pipeline of opportunities are available for students, and residents alike. The meeting continues to grow as a new record of 37 guests attended.
Eric Baughman, Vice President of Direct Sales with Baughman Tile, welcomed all guests to the facility and gave just a brief overview of the facility, now under its fifth generation of leadership. The Paulding County Economic Development team of Director Tim Copsey and Office Manager Kristen Schilt then shared the agenda and introduced James Ricker, Coordinator of Workforce Development and Community Partnerships with Rhodes State College, who discussed apprenticeship and other workforce opportunities with attendees.
The agenda for this fourth quarter meeting was education heavy as the BAC Steering Committee works to make stronger connections with business leaders and educators. Northwest State, Ohio Northern, Defiance College, Rhodes State and Indiana Tech were all in attendance. Rhodes State, Vantage Career Center, Western Buckeye Educational Service Center and all three county high schools updated the BAC on projects or plans they are working on or looking to initiate.
Copsey then shared that the Paulding County College, Business and Industry Expo has been scheduled at the Paulding County Fairgrounds for Thursday, April 4, 2024. This is a growing event that currently brings all Paulding County junior and senior students on site to meet with businesses, armed services and educational providers from the region. Copsey explained that this is not aimed at being a hiring event, but more so an event that allows students to learn about and understand all the great businesses and employment opportunities in the region for future employment. Great discussion followed in how the event might be improved with businesses offering hands-on opportunities and if there could be younger classes of students invited to participate.
The first quarter BAC Steering Committee meeting in will be hosted at the PCED office on February 7 from 1-2pm. The BAC meeting will then be held on Wednesday, March 6 at a time and site to be determined.
by Office Manager | Dec 7, 2023 | Community, Funding, PCED Office
Paulding County Zoning Inspector Meeting December 7, 2023
PAULDING – The fourth quarter and final Paulding County Zoning Inspector meeting was hosted recently at the Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office. Sarah McCabe from the Paulding County Auditor office shared 2023 permit reports with inspectors present from their respective townships and villages.
PCED Director Tim Copsey provided updates on land bank projects and informed the group about where the land bank stands on Ohio Department of Development funding and how funds remaining from the previous round are being allocated. There is a growing list of structures being accumulated now for the next round of funding. Applications for this funding will be due April 1, 2024.
Copsey also shared that as blight is being removed and properties are being remediated, there is also an opportunity for the land bank to purchase these open lots with the purpose of selling to residential builders for building new speculative homes. As these opportunities transpire, it is important for the zoning inspectors to have accurate zoning information available and be involved early in the building discussions.
McCabe then closed out the meeting showing the Paulding County Auditor GIS website and sharing information about how to navigate the site along with helpful hints in finding the critical information in research.
The 2024 first quarter meeting will be held on March 14 at 6 pm at the PCED office.
by Isabella Carwile | Dec 5, 2023 | Business Expansion, Community, Funding, Jobs, Membership, Paulding County Business Weekly Radio Broadcast, PCED Office
What can Paulding County Economic Development do for you? Listen in on this week’s PCBW episode to learn from the Director, Tim Copsey, and Office Manager, Kristen Schilt, about the programs, incentives, grants, and other resources their office can provide for Paulding County businesses. We invite you to follow along as we continue to highlight businesses in our area by tuning in on My102.7.FM every Tuesday & Thursday at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or Click Here to Listen Online! This episode is also available on several podcast platforms including Apple, Google, And Spotify. Thank you to our incredible sponsor OhioMeansJobs. #pauldingcountystong
by Office Manager | Nov 21, 2023 | Community, Membership, PCED Office
Dear Editor,
Your Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office has started to distribute the 2023 annual report and new 2024 investment membership information.
Paulding County saw yet another outstanding year of growth with reported capital investment of $95,559,296 in the county!!
With expansion projects at Paragon Tempered Glass, Kohart Salvage, Ebel’s Butcher Shop, and Dooley’s Funeral Home; new projects with Grover Hill Community Center, Caring & Sharing Food Pantry, Paulding North Dollar General, Family Dollar Tree, Payne Timber Road Solar, Taco Bell and Grover Hill Dollar General; rehabilitation projects with the Western Buckeye ESC office, Antwerp Pharmacy and Antwerp business offices, along with new businesses Nini’s Ice Cream, The Upper Nine, Spiece’s Barber Shop, Studio 211 and more, there is a lot in the county to be thankful for.
Your PCED office will continue to work hard and make sure townships, villages and businesses big and small, are aware of low interest loans, grants and any funding opportunities that may help them make best decisions, as they develop the infrastructure for new projects and the future of Paulding County.
We encourage everyone to take a moment to read through the information provided in our annual report and consider supporting your 501c3, not-for-profit business office. Please know that you are investing into a service that can show a return on your investment, no matter which corner of the county you work, worship or reside. Your investment allows us to continue with all the aforementioned opportunities. The office will go as far as your investment takes us.
If you have questions about the PCED office, annual report, business opportunities, or any services we provide, please review our website www.pced.net or reach out to us at any time 419-399-8295.
We sincerely thank you for your support and wish you a #pauldingcountystrong 2024!
Tim Copsey, Director
PCED
