by Office Manager | Feb 28, 2023 | Community, Events, Funding, PCED Office
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release February 26, 2023
MVPO facilitates Antwerp community SWOT meeting
ANTWERP – The Antwerp community recently participated in a Strengths,Weaknesses ,Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) analysis with public input from village officials and community organization partners and residents. 32 guests participated in the public event, held at the Antwerp VFW community room. The collaborative event was hosted by the Paulding County Economic Development office and Antwerp Planning and Zoning Commission, and facilitated by Estee Miller with Maumee Valley Planning Organization (MVPO).
Miller noted, “Conducting SWOT analyses allow us to gain an understanding of the needs of a community and how we (MVPO) can leverage strengths and opportunities to meet those needs.”
The Antwerp community is blessed with many organizations and groups that provide: government oversite, community fundraising and input, not-for-profit facilitation, and philanthropic input throughout the year. Several of the noted groups that participated included: Antwerp Village Council, Carryall Township, Antwerp Chamber of Commerce, Antwerp Community Development Corporation (ACDC), Antwerp Rotary, Antwerp Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) and the Antwerp Planning and Zoning Commission.
Economic Development Director Tim Copsey set the stage, opening the meeting by explaining how the meeting came about: “While attending meetings with all of the Antwerp organizations, it was clear that each group has a goal or mission in mind to better the community. There just didn’t seem to be a clear interweaving of information or definition that each group was aware, or understood the goals of the other groups. This sharing of communication allows for all groups and community residents to collectively participate, and share, what each believes would be the pertinent pieces for a SWOT analysis”.
MVPO will take the data that was shared and gathered, and will develop a community survey. The survey data will guide MVPO, and the village, when future grants become available. Having data already collected saves time when grant application timelines are short.
This event follows similar events held around Paulding County. MVPO facilitated a similar event recently in the Village of Oakwood and the Village of Latty hosted their own independent analysis.
The Antwerp Planning and Zoning Commission also held a brief business meeting during the event and shared several zoning maps in hope of receiving feedback for future thoughts in regard to the traffic thoroughfare in the community.
Learn more about the Village of Antwerp www.villageofantwerp.com and for more information about Maumee Valley Planning Organization and their grant writing for Paulding, Defiance, Fulton, Henry, or Williams County contact them at 419-784-3882
by Office Manager | Feb 23, 2023 | Community, Funding, New Business, Property Development
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release February 22, 2023
Evaluation continues on Paulding County brownfield sites
PAULDING – The Paulding County Land Reutilization Committee (Land Bank) recently met for their February meeting. In addition to committee members, guests included the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program EPA consultant Matt Wagner, with Tetra Tech, and Estee Miller, with Maumee Valley Planning Organization (MVPO).
Miller started the meeting updating the committee on many of the Ohio Blight program properties and introducing several agenda items that required decision and further discussion. In addition, some of the projects needed some legal counsel with county prosecutor Joe Burkard.
The group was then updated by Wagner on the Brownfield clean-up projects in the county. The project updates included: the Paulding Theatre and adjoining Noneman building, the 30-acre former Grizzley Asbestos Brake manufacturing facility, the 30-acre former Stokely Manufacturing facility, the Antwerp Park Station Bar building demolition; the Antwerp Sunoco gas station on West River Street, and the Grover Hill Depot building. Many of these properties are awaiting final approvals from Ohio EPA testing, although the Grizzley property has been approved. The EPA testing determined the required soil cap over all buried contaminants is solid and in place. The group now awaits Army Corp of engineer approval to level ponds on the site.
New business included updates from both Tetra Tech and MVPO in regard to communication from Columbus about the potential of remaining brownfield funds being made available per county, and if a new round of funding will be issued with the next state budget.
Conversation then noted a recent downtown Paulding apartment fire. The discussion then carried over into several potential properties around the county to review for remediation in the future.
For more information about Paulding County Land Reutilization committee or donating available properties, please reach out to the Paulding County Treasurer office 419-399-8281.
by Office Manager | Feb 14, 2023 | Community, Funding, PCED Office, Workforce
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release February 13, 2022
OhioMeansJobs presents to Paulding County Commissioners
PAULDING – OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) representatives visited Paulding County to share information and answer questions here.
During some recent business retention and expansion (BR&E) visits in the county, HR Managers at manufacturing business sites shared some concerns and frustrations for their employees. This was in regard to the current unemployment system and payments. The concerns were noted by county Commissioner Mike Weible. This meeting came at the request of Commissioner Mike Weible to county economic development Director Tim Copsey to see if there might be some local OMJ support members to see how they might help.
The meeting was attended by Rocky Rockhold, Greater Ohio Workforce Board; Jamie Stemen, Program Delivery Supervisor, Office of Workforce Development, Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services (OJFS); Michael Burkholder, Workforce Specialist, Office of Workforce Development OJFS; Nathan Strange, Program Delivery Manager, Office of Workforce Development, OJFS; local contact Tiffany Goings, OhioMeansJobs Defiance/Paulding Counties, Workforce Supervisor; PC commissioners Mark Holtsberry, Lisa McClure, Weible, Copsey and Kristen Schilt with the PC Economic Development office.
Copsey introduced Burkholder who in turn introduced the team and shared how the offices work closely with the county through the communication and collaboration of Goings and Copsey at the local level, and how other branches and higher levels are pulled in as necessary. This led to the sharing of questions and concerns from commissioners.
Rockhold stepped in and started from the top and shared how the “chain of command” works with the OhioMeansJobs hierarchy, including all that is involved from the federal level, all the way down through the state to the local level. In sharing the information, it was emphasized that despite their many roles and divisions, the team really was there to help and get questions answered or requests guided in the right direction. It was then realized that the unemployment questions and issues are not even covered in these branches of OhioMeansJobs, but actually from the Ohio unemployment side. This is an entirely different division of offices in Ohio. However, the representatives present could get the commissioners in touch with a contact from the unemployment division of the office at any time.
Once the unemployment information was understood, the conversation of all the additional pieces of help and collaboration that could take place with these representatives, was promoted. The current programs funded by the group, and new opportunities that could be beneficial were all noted for future projects and discussion.
Copsey pointed out that Goings is an outstanding county resource and that on many visits to area businesses she is invited and attends. This helps employers with workforce questions get answers both quickly and accurately and that the collaboration between offices remains strong.
All parties involved noted this was a very good meeting for learning and understanding and that a follow up meeting should be scheduled.
by Office Manager | Jan 27, 2023 | Community, Funding, New Business, Property Development
Pictured is the old Paulding Theatre and former Western Auto building located on West Perry Street in Paulding. Advanced Demolition Service from McComb, Ohio has been awarded the bid for demolition this year. The buildings are currently owned by the Paulding County Land Reutilization Committee. The Western Auto building was donated to the committee by Bob & Gretchen Noneman.
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release January 11, 2023
Paulding County Land Bank meets
PAULDING – The Paulding County Land Reutilization Committee (aka Land Bank) met here recently to discuss the State of Ohio Brownfield remediation program and updates. Topping the discussion was the awarding of the demolition bid for the old Paulding Theatre building and neighboring old Western Auto building. The Western Auto building was donated to this demolition project by local residents Bob & Gretchen Noneman.
Matt Wagner, with the county EPA engineering firm Tetra Tech, was on hand for the meeting and stated, “We received a lot of local interest in the Theater project and it was a very competitive process.” The contract award was made to Advanced Demolition Services of McComb, Ohio. They won the award with a total bid of $144,226.00 for demolition, safe removal of all identified hazardous materials and asbestos products, remaining building materials and debris. The Tetra Tech engineer estimate was $182,710. There is still some final detail conversations taking place with the John Paulding Historical Museum Board of Directors on how to safely remove the old movie projectors, and also working with neighboring building owners during scheduled demolition. Following final detail discussions demolition will take place yet this year.
Wagner also shared that the EPA studies have completed on the old Grizzley factory site. The studies were to verify that all previous work completed during the destruction of the former asbestos brake pad facility, was carried out according to EPA health and safety procedures. The studies confirmed the site is in compliance and the property is now allowed to change ownership if needed.
Discussions also continued in regard to the former Stokely facility property; the old Antwerp Marlin Sunoco property rehabilitation; and remediation of the old Grover Hill Depot building on the north side of the Fire Station. Following the meeting, Estee Miller with Maumee Valley Planning Organization (MVPO) and Wagner were heading to Antwerp to open up the Park Station Bar building. The purpose was to allow contractors a pre-bid visit and tour of the building and facility before bids are due for the demolition.
Conversation then turned more local as the committee received many updates from Miller about the State of Ohio Residential Blight program. Paulding County submitted the most building removal bids in the six-county area with 27 buildings being removed and properties being remediated. All of the property demolition bids have been awarded and many of the buildings are already removed. Final payments will not be paid to contractors until spring when final ground leveling and grass seeding is complete.
Paulding County Economic Director Tim Copsey shared in follow up of the meeting, “The PCED office worked hard and made a concerted effort into these two state programs. It took a lot of our time and resources but we didn’t want to look back and wonder, what could have been, if we didn’t try and use up all of these funds provided. Some of these buildings and properties were absolutely a working part of our Paulding County history and meant a lot to many of the people in the county. However, the buildings and land have seen their best days go by. It was time to clean up and provide the opportunity to for a fresh start.”
It was shared by Miller that there could be a possibility of this program coming around again. MVPO has established a place on their website to enter addresses for future review if the residential or commercial blight program does come around again.
In general business of the group, Commissioner Mike Weible was added to the committee to replace former Commissioner Roy Klopfenstein. Klopfenstein recently resigned his position as commissioner to step into his newly elected position of State Representative for the 82nd District.
The committee will meet again on Wednesday, February 22 at the Commissioner’s office.
by Office Manager | Jun 28, 2022 | Community, Funding, PCED Office
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release June 23, 2022
Paulding County Mayor Association holds first quarter meeting
PAULDING, OH – The Paulding County Mayors Association recently gathered for their 2022 second quarter meeting at the Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office.
The meeting opened with the introduction of Maumee Valley Planning Organization (MVPO) planner Adam Panas. Adam introduced himself to the group and shared his role with MVPO. There was a lot of discussion and questions in regard to grants, funding and future possibilities. Community Block Development Grant awards were shared with the group and discussion also took place in regard to future projects through the CBDG program.
Economic Development Director Tim Copsey followed by updating the group on the Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Remediation Program. Paulding County has received confirmation for funding all five first round commercial and brownfield properties submitted to the state. The applications were submitted through designated county environmental partner Tetra Tech. The same properties have been submitted for second round funding as well. The county will now anxiously await word on the 41 residential properties submitted in February in the $500k residential program.
Paulding County Emergency Management Agency Director Ed Bohn was on hand to share that the county did not receive the grant funding hoped to improve the outdoor warning siren system. Bohn will look at alternative funding options for the future.
Bohn also shared the additional pieces of information required by FEMA for the updated PC Mitigation Plan. They have added a health and medical section as well as a county infrastructure piece. Bohn hopes to begin meeting after Labor Day with three meetings scheduled during the day and three evening meetings to make sure every village has the opportunity to be represented and all mitigation in the county is discussed. Bohn would also like to soon meet with all water treatment operators in the county and finished with discussion about 2022 ARPA fund allocations.
Oakwood Mayor Brian Ripke, who was unable to attend, shared information via email that was discussed at the recent Ohio Mayors Convention held in Columbus. This information will be distributed through the PCED office to all the mayors.
Copsey then presented discussion in regard to village GIS projects. Any steps forward in this realm to identify sewer, water, gas lines, etc. would assist in adding detail to the PCED office with future projects and project discussions. Antwerp Village Administrator Brian Davis shared that Antwerp was looking into this right now.
Information was also shared about the Community Housing Impact and Program (CHIP) provided through MVPO. This program allows individuals on fixed or low incomes to get repairs done to their owned home at no cost. The Paulding County allocation of funds for 2022 is complete but MVPO is now taking applications to develop a list of homes for 2023. It was also passed on to the mayors to share with their police departments about the opportunity for free car seats for those families that qualify. Parents just need to contact the PC Health Department to learn more about the program.
The last presenter of the evening was Commissioner Roy Klopfenstein. Roy shared the latest information about the developing region 16 opioid fund committee being developed. Chad Benschneider will represent the PC Township Association and Paulding/Defiance County JFS Director Corey Walker will also represent Paulding County.
by Office Manager | May 4, 2022 | Community, Funding, Membership, New Business, PCED Office
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release April 27, 2022
Collaboration builds and supports Paulding County business growth PAULDING COUNTY, OH – The Paulding County Area Foundation (PCAF) and the Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office have once again collaborated to promote Paulding County business growth. The PCAF has contributed $20,000 to the PCED office to be used in small business loans. The loans can be used for any variety of expenses that could include: business start-up costs, equipment upgrades, facade improvements, etc. It would be asked that the loans be paid back, at a very low interest rate over an extended period of time, so that the funds would continue to be available for future businesses and investment.
Tim Copsey, PCED Director explained, “The partnership between these two county entities has always been strong. Lisa (McClure) and her board have been one of the biggest supporters of PCED, all the way down to providing us office space. But this collaboration piece goes above and beyond, in true promotion of business growth and expansion in the county. If we could turn this money over two or three times, just imagine how many businesses this could touch and support around the county.”
The conversations began with PCAF Director Lisa McClure and Copsey discussing the surrounding counties and how their foundations were interacting with economic development. Some were heavily involved, some weren’t involved at all. The question became if PCAF and PCED wanted to develop and test a new opportunity and begin something that could offer a small, but quick benefit to the county business community.
“During covid there were businesses that stated they would do some growth or expansion but just needed a little seed money to get started. They weren’t exactly sure how covid was going to affect their bottom line. It would have been great to have this in place to help them jumpstart their ideas,” stated Copsey. “Since covid has tapered off, similar type of requests continue to come into the office. We believe this loan program will really assist in putting these small ideas into real projects that assure businesses of their idea and perhaps further enhance business, employment, include financial institutions, and basically grow the county bottom line” he continued.
McClure presented the opportunity to her PCAF board and they were in full support, “Our board was fully engaged in this grant opportunity. Promoting growth to the residents of Paulding County, in part, is the mission statement of the Paulding County Area Foundation. We look forward to many more partnerships with Paulding County Economic Development as we continue to further enhance the business of Paulding County”.
Loan applications are available through the PCED office. For those that employ less than ten full-time employees, and meet the established eligibility guidelines, there will be loans of up to $2500 considered. The business that qualify will receive their funds and have a ninety day grace period before a repayment schedule is provided for payment over the next 18 months. All repaid loan funds will be returned back into the account for future use.
“We cannot thank Lisa and the Paulding County Area Foundation board enough for believing in us enough to make these funds available and helping develop this opportunity” closed Copsey. The Paulding County Area Foundation contributed funds to the Paulding County Economic Development office to be made available for area businesses. The collaboration will allow businesses that have ten full time employees or less to apply for a low interest improvement loan.
Pictured above (L-R): Area Foundation Director Lisa McClure, Economic Development Director Tim Copsey, and George Carter, member of both boards.
