PCED Reviews and Discuss 2025 Plans and Budget

Paulding County Economic Development Press Release

PAULDING, OH – The Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) Board of Directors gathered for their final lunch meeting of 2024 to establish final details for a 2025 operating budget.  Lively discussion took place as the group listened to recommendations from the Financial Committee and analyzed both income and expense line items to try and establish a final budget for next year.

Economic Development Director Tim Copsey updated the board on current project updates including the potential 80-acre development project near the US24/Highway 49 intersection in Antwerp; a water/sewer feasibility study at the US24/Highway 127 interchange; the Grizzley and Stokely brownfield projects and the 53-acre industrial park all located in Paulding Village.

Old business discussions included marketing updates on the PCED website and a business vehicle purchase.  The Marketing Committee is looking at updates on the company website to modernize a section explaining the history of the county.  The hope is that the summary will be more about recent economic development and less about the actual history of the county.  A future committee meeting is scheduled.

Discussion also continued regarding the purchase of a company vehicle for the office.  Paying out mileage for monthly company-driven miles is getting more expensive and often fluctuates depending on inside and outside-of-county business travel.  The hope is that a purchased vehicle will allow more standard control of monthly costs.  The project will continue to be studied and evaluated by the financial committee before a final decision is voted on.

Regarding new business, the financial committee proposed a thought to the board in a potential future conversion of office accounting, from a traditional Quickbooks program to a not-for-profit accounting system.  There is a full understanding the accounting would be quite different, but it may be more accurate accounting for the larger amount of earmarked funds the office is handling.  This will also be a continued board discussion.

The board also started the opening process of putting together a slate of 2025 officers.  This slate will be presented to be voted on in the January 2025 board meeting.

The meeting closed out with the board members each sharing business updates with each other.  This sharing of information often entices collaboration and powerful business discussions for future economic development throughout the county.

PCBW Sarah Shuherk – Paulding County Recorder Elect

PCBW Sarah Shuherk – Paulding County Recorder Elect

Listen to our next Paulding County Business Weekly episode as we meet our new Paulding County Recorder Elect, Sarah Shuherk. Sarah shares what takes place in the Recorder’s office and how it is an important piece of the county’s history and future. We can’t thank OhioMeansJobs enough for sponsoring this program and the team at My102.7FM for making it happen. You can tune in 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

PCBW: Brian Shuherk – Solid Ground

PCBW: Brian Shuherk – Solid Ground

Listen this week to the Paulding County Business Weekly podcast, where we hear from Solid Ground owner Brian Shuherk, who shares about the Solid Ground business and all the exciting benefits that they can provide.  Irrigation, landscaping, landscape drawings, and snow removal just to name a few.  Brian shares how this business started in the trunk of a car and has developed into a regional service business. Thank you to program sponsor, OhioMeansJobs. You can tune in 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

PCBW: Jen Smith – Hometown Speech Connections

PCBW: Jen Smith – Hometown Speech Connections

Our PCBW podcast this week hosts Jen Smith.  Jen is the new owner of Hometown Speech Connections.  Jen is a certified speech pathologist who has had to adjust to the closing of Community Memorial Hospital in Hicksville but has recently opened an office in Antwerp.  Currently located in the Main Street Business Center, listen to hear about the exciting new business growth and plans for new office space as she brings this regional, in-demand business, into Paulding County!  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 listen online at Click Here to Listen Online! PCBW is also available on many podcast platforms including Apple, Google & Spotify. #pauldingcountystrong

PCBW: Eric Davis – Wessler Engineering

PCBW: Eric Davis – Wessler Engineering

This week we sit down with Eric Davis, Business Development Representative with Wessler Engineering and discuss all things water.  Drinking water, surface water, sewer water, and all things related to this.  We hear how the workforce that helps operate and maintain these services in aging and how we need to develop a new pipeline of talent to backfill these roles.

Thank you to OhioMeansJobs for sponsoring this program.

Tune in to Paulding County Business Weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or Click Here to Listen Online! This episode is also available wherever you get your podcasts. #pauldingcountystrong

PCBW: Kass Chesnut – Growth Fitness

PCBW: Kass Chesnut – Growth Fitness

Join us on Paulding County Business Weekly as we hear from Kass Chesnut, the “Lewis & Clark” entrepreneur who has introduced a 24-hour option of exercise to Paulding County in Paulding, but has now also expanded into Oakwood.

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 on many podcast platforms including Apple, Google & Spotify. #pauldingcountystrong