Paulding County Reviews Economic Strategic Plan

Paulding County Economic Development Press Release                             January 17, 2025

PAULDING – The Paulding County Economic Development Board recently hosted their first meeting of 2025.  The business part of the meeting was entirely devoted to the forward progression and strategic plan development for the group. The short agenda meeting was long but impactful.

Prior to the business discussion, a presentation was made by Premier Bank.  Local Paulding branch CEO Nicole Robinson, Business Loan Officer Danielle Fowler and VP of Treasury Sales Doug Blackwood shared the full line of business banking options and accounts available with Premier Bank.  They then answered questions about the upcoming purchase of Premier by the WesBanco Bank.  Although WesBanco is already established in Ohio, this would be their northernmost branch.  Board members and the banking team discussed opportunities for potential growth in the county.

Business then turned to strategic planning. The board last did an in-depth dive into the Paulding County economic development strategic plan in 2022.  The two-year plan has guided the office in a positive direction over that time.  Since then, many things have changed in economic development, within the board and around the county.

The January 2025 meeting was dedicated to reviewing the many goals of that previous plan.  Director Tim Copsey shared the goals and results with the board.  Based on the reported results, the board is now tasked with developing an immediate plan for 2025 and early 2026 and a 2-3 year plan for the future.  This generated great conversation as it was discussed what might be more beneficial to now add to the plan, and what certainly needs to come off.  An example that may be added to the list, that wasn’t even noted in 2022, was the great need for residential housing.  The adhoc strategic plan committee will convene again before the next official board meeting in March to put together a final plan to present to the full board for approval.

PCBW Episode 99 – Kim Molitor (Buckeye Hearing & Audiologist)

PCBW Episode 99 – Kim Molitor (Buckeye Hearing & Audiologist)

Hear it here! What did you say? Listen this week to the Paulding County Business Weekly podcast as Kim Molitor, owner of Buckeye Hearing in Paulding, shares with is what an advantage it is to have an audiologist here in the county and what a blessing this is for anyone needing testing or hearing assistance. Huge thank you to program sponsor, OhioMeansJobs. You can tune in to PCBW 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

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: 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