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.
by Tim Copsey | Dec 21, 2021 | Funding
The state of Ohio has announced another round of TECH CRED funding for businesses to upskill and train your workforce. Up to $30,000 per business in January! Are you using this for your business? Did I say up to $30,000 grant for your business? Why wouldn’t a business use this opportunity? office@pced.net or 419-399-8295
by Tim Copsey | Dec 21, 2021 | Funding, Property Development
Money continues to come to Paulding County through the federal government. This time for cleaning up brownfield (old industrial) sites and to remediate residential blight in the county. The Land Reutilization Committee met again this week and is comprising a list of potential properties to review for clean-up. We also joined a webinar this week to understand how the program works. Do you know of a commercial or residential property in your village or township that might be behind on taxes or could be acquired by this group to have the blight or buildings in deteriorating shape removed? Reach out and provide us an address so we can check. office@pced.net or 419-399-8295 #pauldingcountystronger
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
