by Isabella Carwile | Mar 11, 2026 | Blight Projects, Brownfield, Business Expansion, Community, For Sale, Funding, Land Bank, Property Development, Residential
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release March 11, 2026
PAULDING – The Paulding County Land Reutilization Committee (Land Bank) moved through a full agenda this week, receiving updates on brownfield cleanup, residential blight priorities, and Welcome Home Ohio (WHO) housing projects.
The county environmental consultant Tetra Tech reported that testing at the former JJ Ross Gas Station property in Grover Hill is complete and meets state standards. A “No Further Action” letter is expected from the state soon, clearing the way for the Land Bank to finalize the pending sale of the property.
“No one likes to see history and memories removed, but if we can make a positive difference in a community by cleaning up a site for future development opportunities, it’s a win,” shared Paulding County Economic Development Director Tim Copsey.
Grover Hill has been a beneficiary of several recent Land Bank projects. One project provided the development site for the current Dollar General Store, one provided adjacent property for the fire department, several blighted residential structures have been removed, and currently, the JJ Ross Gas Station corner lot remediation is nearing the end.
The committee was guided by Abby White, from Maumee Valley Planning Organization (MVPO), and reviewed the 21 residential and municipal blight properties submitted from around the county for 2026 demolition and cleanup. With this year’s allocated funds reduced to $230,000 from the previous $500,000, the Land Bank expects to address 10–12 properties. The priority list will be submitted to the Ohio Department of Development once the application portal opens later this spring.
MVPO staff member Estee Blair updated members on the county’s WHO housing rehabilitation projects. Work is complete at 714 N. Main Street in Paulding, with a sale closing set for later this month. A second home at 108 Main in Cecil is nearing completion and also has a buyer, while a larger project at 621 Sugar Street in Paulding remains underway and does not yet have a buyer. The committee is considering participation on the Paulding County Sheriff Auction site to identify additional properties for the program. The grant allows a $30,000 reimbursement for 10 projects to be completed before the June 2027 grant deadline.
The team went into executive session with Copsey to discuss and review specifics of a potential land bank property for sale. There was no action taken coming out of the session.
Discussion also included:
- Members were informed of a current Land Bank balance of $123,436.
- Have received notification of the letter of approval from Ohio EPA to continue work at the former Stokely ponds
- Continue discussion regarding environmental review and site development at the former Grizzly property for a municipal solar field.
- Learned the Village of Latty is interested in partnering to market several village parcels for future residential development.
by Isabella Carwile | Feb 12, 2026 | Blight Projects, Brownfield, Business Expansion, Community, For Sale, Funding, Jobs, Land Bank, PCED Office, Property Development, Residential
PAULDING – The Paulding County Mayors Association recently met for the first quarter meeting. Eight of the county’s eleven villages were represented, demonstrating the growing engagement and collaboration throughout the county.
Special guest Ohio House Representative Jim Hoops shared with the group his intent to run for the Ohio House Senate seat. There was extensive discussion in regard to ongoing property tax reform efforts, outlining potential impacts on local governments and residents. His presentation encouraged continued communication between residents, local and state officials.
Megan Deneen attended on behalf of House Representative Josh Williams. Deneen shared an update on Williams’ intent to run for the 9th District Congressional seat and local projects he has already been discussing, making sure village leaders were aware.
Scott Sands, representing the Auditor of State Keith Faber’s office, introduced himself and distributed contact information, reinforcing the office’s commitment to accessibility and support for local governments.
Estee Blair of the Maumee Valley Planning Organization provided an update on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, encouraging villages to explore available funding opportunities for community improvement projects. Blair identified which programs have open slots for this allocation year in the county.
Paulding County Economic Development Director Tim Copsey shared that the 2026 Ohio allocated residential and commercial blight funding for the county Land Bank has been reduced to $230,000 this year. Previous years have been $500,000. There are identified properties remaining from the 2025 applications that were not submitted for clean-up, so there is already a list for 2026 review. Copsey did ask the village representatives to share worst case properties for additional consideration before the 2026 list is completed, but assured the group that the county will use all allocated funding again this year.
Copsey also requested that all villages review and submit updated zoning maps to share with the county engineer’s office, and also to help with future planning and redevelopment efforts.
During open community input, Gabby Hook, Fiscal Officer for the Village of Grover Hill, asked the group for advice and suggestions regarding potential assistance or funding sources for residents experiencing well failures. The failure of local wells and accompanying water issue has been a concern and seems to be growing. The area leaders discussed similar situations from the past and shared possible avenues for water and financial support.
The meeting concluded with reminders that continued collaboration is essential to strengthening the Paulding County communities and economy.
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 18, 2025 | Business Expansion, Community, For Sale, Funding, Jobs, PCED Office, Property Development, Workforce
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release February 18, 2025
PAULDING COUNTY – This week JobsOhio Food and Agriculture Director Tim Derickson, and Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) representative Jessica Sattler, joined Paulding County Economic Development Director Tim Copsey in conducting five business retention and expansion (BR&E) visits around the county.
The first stop of the day was at Mansfield Welding near the village of Melrose. The family-owned business team was able to display and highlight some agriculture-related fabrication and welding and highlight a new process machine that was purchased with the assistance of a JobsOhio Small Business Grant, awarded in 2024.
The group then traveled and met with team members at Cooper Farms in Oakwood. There was an in-depth conversation about agriculture and the different sectors of the Cooper Farm business, turkey, pork, and chicken. Cooper Farms continues to be a county leader in employment, Ohio TechCred training reimbursement funds, as well as Workforce Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC).
The team made a trek to Antwerp to visit PNJ Enterprises and learn about a small fabrication business that makes automated parts for the food service industry, before heading to the village of Broughton to learn about Nutri-Plus Fertilizer. This family-owned business is annually providing plant nutrition for thousands of acres of crops in the agriculture industry.
The day closed out at Baughman Tile. Baughman is a fifth-generation family-owned business that is celebrating its 142nd year in business. The company manufactures plastic corrugated and solid-walled tiles for the agriculture and commercial industries. The conversation about workforce, business, and the economy was lively.
JobsOhio exists to empower world-class corporations, entrepreneurs, and talented individuals to build their businesses and careers in Ohio. Their advocacy and investments in partnership with the state enable sustainable economic growth and a better quality of life for all Ohioans through the power and dignity of work.
The Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) is the lead economic development organization and one of seven noted regions in the JobsOhio family and represents 17 counties in northwest Ohio. RGP partners with local county economic development offices to offer grants, incentives, and funding programs where applicable.
by Isabella Carwile | Sep 11, 2024 | Business Expansion, Community, For Sale, Property Development
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release September 11, 2024
PAULDING – The Paulding County Land Reutilization Committee held their monthly meeting at the Paulding County Commissioners office on September 11 and opened the meeting with a moment of silence.
Matt Wagner, with the county EPA consulting firm Tetra Tech was asked to first give updates on brownfield projects around the county. Wagner was very happy to announce that the former Liberty Fuel gas station property, located at 504 E. River Street in Antwerp, has received the final approval and clean bill of health. Tetra Tech has applied to the State of Ohio for the “No Further Action” letter for the property.
The former Grizzley Brake factory property, located at 710 W. Caroline Street in Paulding, has had the entire perimeter fence repaired and foliage has been mowed back about 40 feet within the fence perimeter. This allows the discussion to move forward with the current site owner, Cummins, and the county land bank committee for further remediation. There was no update in regard to the former Stokely factory site across the road from Grizzley.
The Land Bank has acquired the empty Patriot Rail mill building, located in Antwerp at 103 Cleveland Street. This will allow the building to be removed in the brownfield remediation program. The Paulding Village owned Winkle building, located at 105 N. Main Street in Paulding is scheduled to have asbestos remediation.
All brownfield and residential/commercial site remediation projects are on hold until the Ohio Department of Development issues approvals in regard to the applications submitted in late 2023 and early 2024. The hope is that news will be shared by the end of September so projects can begin to move forward.
The committee was given a brief update by Estee Blair about the 37 projects she has held up as she also waits on approvals from the Ohio Department of Development.
The discussion then turned to current owned properties and what the future plan for them might be. There will be signage put on the former theatre lot to indicate an intent to sell. There are four residential properties located in Scott, Ohio. At this time the committee agreed to hold on to them as they determine if grant funding might be available through the Welcome Home Ohio grant for help in making these available for future growth in the community.
There are four additional properties around the county waiting on various pieces of legal legislation or approvals for them to move forward with remediation. The committee did go into executive session to discuss the potential purchase of another property with no action taken following. The committee will meet again on October 9 in the commissioner chambers.
by Tim Copsey | Dec 23, 2021 | For Sale, Jobs, New Business
Currently located in Cecil, OH Red Oaks Pet Cottage is a small dog and cat overnight boarding facility. The current owners have the kennels set up in the pole barn on their property. The owners plan to move in Spring 2022 and are looking for someone to purchase and take over this great business.
- The kennels would need to be removed from the current location and reinstalled unless you are interested in purchasing the home with the business.
- Installation and removal of kennels is very user friendly
- Current owners are willing to help with this process
- Established client base
- Work from home with your family
- Flexible schedule
Contact Marissa with questions and for more information.
Marissa VanRoessel, Owner and Operator of Red Oaks Pet Cottage
Phone : (219) 510-3564
Email: re***************@***il.com
