by Office Manager | Nov 21, 2023 | Community, Membership, PCED Office
Dear Editor,
Your Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office has started to distribute the 2023 annual report and new 2024 investment membership information.
Paulding County saw yet another outstanding year of growth with reported capital investment of $95,559,296 in the county!!
With expansion projects at Paragon Tempered Glass, Kohart Salvage, Ebel’s Butcher Shop, and Dooley’s Funeral Home; new projects with Grover Hill Community Center, Caring & Sharing Food Pantry, Paulding North Dollar General, Family Dollar Tree, Payne Timber Road Solar, Taco Bell and Grover Hill Dollar General; rehabilitation projects with the Western Buckeye ESC office, Antwerp Pharmacy and Antwerp business offices, along with new businesses Nini’s Ice Cream, The Upper Nine, Spiece’s Barber Shop, Studio 211 and more, there is a lot in the county to be thankful for.
Your PCED office will continue to work hard and make sure townships, villages and businesses big and small, are aware of low interest loans, grants and any funding opportunities that may help them make best decisions, as they develop the infrastructure for new projects and the future of Paulding County.
We encourage everyone to take a moment to read through the information provided in our annual report and consider supporting your 501c3, not-for-profit business office. Please know that you are investing into a service that can show a return on your investment, no matter which corner of the county you work, worship or reside. Your investment allows us to continue with all the aforementioned opportunities. The office will go as far as your investment takes us.
If you have questions about the PCED office, annual report, business opportunities, or any services we provide, please review our website www.pced.net or reach out to us at any time 419-399-8295.
We sincerely thank you for your support and wish you a #pauldingcountystrong 2024!
Tim Copsey, Director
PCED
by Office Manager | Oct 11, 2023 | Community, Events, Membership, PCED Office
The Paulding County Economic office Development proudly presents the 23rd Annual Business & Industry Appreciation Banquet. This event, scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Grant’s Catering in Antwerp, offers a unique opportunity for networking with local, state, and regional business partners. It will also showcase PCED’s accomplishments throughout the year and honor local business achievements.
The evening kicks off with a social hour from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, followed by dinner at 6:30 PM. The night will be enriched with musical performances by the Vivace String Duo featuring local talents Carman Martin and Elsie Manz.
PCED members are entitled to two complimentary banquet reservations, while additional guests can attend for $40 per person. Secure your spot by RSVPing before October 24 by contacting Office Manager Kristen Schilt at 419-399-8295. Payments for additional guests can be made in advance or on the event night.
Economic Development Director Tim Copsey commented, “2023 has been a remarkable year for the county, and we are eagerly looking forward to celebrating with our valued partners and community members at this networking event.”
For more information, contact Kristen Schilt at office@pced.net or RSVP HERE: https://forms.gle/7gWfNZnFSSWaGWnVA
by Office Manager | Sep 11, 2023 | Community, Membership, New Business
OAKWOOD – A staple Paulding County venue for outdoor activities held a kick-off event here to introduce their fall line-up on Saturday. Paulding County Economic Development hosted a ribbon cutting for Auglaize Canoe & Kayak, on the Weller Farm, to unveil their two new corn mazes and many other events and opportunities for the 2023 fall season.
The biggest attraction is the nine-acre corn maze. This year the maze will be patterned for the logo of the Cooper Farms 85th business anniversary celebration. Also headquartered in Oakwood, family-owned Cooper Farms is the county’s largest employer and one of the largest employers in the region. Liz Weller, Auglaize Canoe and Kayak business owner shared how the collaboration came about, “Cooper Farms is a huge supporter of our business, as well as being family friends. They give so much to our community and we wanted to acknowledge that by honoring their anniversary in our corn maze.” 
In addition to the large corn maze, new this year is a smaller fall themed maze that allows for younger family members to also participate in the fun. There will be upcoming announcements on a trick-or-treat event hosted inside the maze and also an evening flashlight event.
If corn mazes aren’t your thing, guests can walk through the four-acre pumpkin patch and pick your own pumpkin, or choose one of the already picked pumpkins. They are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.
Also available is a wagon ride through the farm and along the beautiful Auglaize River. The family owned 1947 Allis Chalmers tractor will pull a wagon full of guests on a guided tour of straw bales complete with “celebrity themed” scarecrows. The ride continues on a spectacular fall view lane along the river through a skeleton themed carnival tour with a fan favorite celebrity participant at the end to complete the ride.
In addition, there are many other opportunities for guests of all ages to participate or view. Fall wouldn’t be complete without fresh-pressed apple cider, which the Weller family makes on site with their antique cider press and has full gallon or half gallon options available for purchase. There is putt-putt golf, a youth barrel train ride, a playground including a child size cabin, a campfire pit to enjoy sitting near the river by the fire or cooking smores, ample fall picture setting opportunities for fall themed senior or family pictures, selfies, beautiful fall nature in general, and much more. The canoe and kayak livery continues to be open and available as well. Participating food trucks will be on site on weekends.
The Weller Farm, owned by Doug & Bonnie Weller, started hosting the Canoe & Kayak venue in 2013. As business and attendance picked up, additional opportunities were offered. In 2021 the pumpkin match and corn mazes were added. The Wellers continue to listen to feedback from guests to continue to improve. This also helps with new business thought and growth each year. The farm is now the largest importer of guests to Paulding County. In 2022 the facility hosted more than 10,000 customers. Business is well on pace to exceed that number in 2023.
Paulding County Economic Development Director Tim Copsey commented, “This ribbon cutting event today is just another great, historic piece in joining Paulding County quality-of-life opportunity with business. Auglaize Canoe & Kayak is the largest importing business we have, bringing guests into the county from all over the region during the summer season. Adding these fall offerings just carries that on for several more months. Now partnering with Cooper Farms, one of our largest business product exporters, just solidifies the collaboration efforts we continue to promote for sustainability and growth in the county. The Coopers and the Wellers are outstanding families in Paulding County and always think of others first. Providing opportunity and giving back to the community just comes natural in their DNA. We are blessed to have these great folks and their businesses located in Paulding County.”
Come out and see everything the farm has to offer for a quick visit or spend the day. Whether you live in the city and yearn to feel a little bit of the natural outdoors, or live in the country and experience this atmosphere all the time, Weller Farm offers a new experience for you. The farm, located at 24821 Road 207 just off the Putnam/Paulding County line road, is open 9a-5p on Saturdays and noon-5p on Sunday, through October 31. There is also opportunity to schedule weekday and evening events by appointment. The farm has hosted school field trips, youth groups and family reunions, but there is always room to discuss options for any other group opportunities for interested guests. For admission pricing or more detailed information, call 419-594-3456, visit the website www.auglaizecanoe.com or check their social media on Facebook or TikTok.
by Office Manager | Mar 13, 2023 | Events, Jobs, Membership, PCED Office, Workforce
The Paulding/Defiance County Ohio Means Jobs (OMJ) office hosted a recent business workshop for Paulding County businesses. The event was facilitated by the Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) at the Paulding Eagles community room.
The event was intended to educate business owners on services, tax credits and reimbursement programs available to employers through OMJ and Job & Family Services offices.
Tiffany Goings, Workforce Supervisor for Ohio Means Jobs, opened the meeting and presented OMJ’s Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) and On-The-Job (OTJ) Training reimbursement programs.
The IWT program is for employers interested in upskilling or training an employee for a different skill. OMJ will provide reimbursement for 50% of the training cost. To be eligible, the employee must be full-time and employed for at least six months.
The OTJ program is for potential candidates an employee would want to bring onto their workforce. Before an employee goes through the onboarding process, they’ll meet with the OMJ career coach team to determine their eligibility, and if they are eligible, they can receive 50% of their hourly wage, up to $13,000 or six months, whichever comes first; meaning an employer can put $13,000 back into their business to train and bring on a new hire.
OMJ also offers pre-hire assessments, drug screens, background checks, job postings on their ohiomeansjobs.com website, and services to post to social media. All of these services are available at no cost to businesses.
Greg Warren, Ohio Means Jobs Program Administrator, demonstrated how to navigate the OMJ website, i.e. employers posting their job listings, establishing metrics and guidelines for resume mining to find the ideal candidate, and managing their online accounts.
Presenter B.J. Knutson, Program Administrator for the Office of Workforce Development, presented the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), a federal tax program for employers who hire eligible individuals from defined targeted groups, many of which have barriers to employment. “There is no cap on the amount of dollars that the IRS is offering,” explains Knutson. This program can also be used in conjunction with OTJ training and apprenticeship programs.”
Tech Cred was then presented and explained by Tori Atkinson, Executive Director of Workforce Development Client Services for Northwest State Community College. TechCred, a workforce training program, provides reimbursement dollars to Ohio companies that have W2 employees. Reimbursement is provided for qualified businesses when they train and upskill their workforce in short-term, technology-focused, industry-recognized credentials. Atkinson describes the program as “a win-win. Ohio is winning because your companies are winning as you train your individuals and upskill them.”
Since the start of the program in October 2018 and through 2022, over 2100 employers have applied for TechCred, equaling $24.3 million. 57,000 plus credentials have been awarded and funded through the program. “We have companies in our area that have applied [every round] since October of 2018. The application portal is currently open. The window opened on March 1, 2023, and closes at 3 p.m. on March 31, 2023. The next round will begin in May.
There are currently over 2000 credentials that are pre-approved on the list. “When the program launched, there were just over 400, and the only way to have credentials added to the pre-approval list is by employers. Training providers, universities, community colleges, don’t have the ability to request to have something added. This is completely an employer-driven system.” Participants were guided through a sign-up form for the Ohio program. For more information, to begin the application process, visit www.techcred.ohio.gov.
The meeting closed out with quick presentations from Ivy Tech, Ft. Wayne; Northwest State and Rhodes State Community Colleges as the shared how each could assist businesses in using the Tech Cred office.
by Office Manager | Nov 3, 2022 | Community, Events, Membership, PCED Office
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release November 2, 2022
Paulding County Economic Development hosts annual banquet
ANTWERP – The Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office recently hosted their annual Business and Industry Appreciation Banquet. Over 200 guests gathered at Grant’s Catering in Antwerp to network and join in the evening event.
Key-note speaker for the evening was Dr. Marty Miller, Superintendent of Antwerp Local School. Dr. Miller shared his Paulding County upbringing and compared the vast difference in today’s business climate with the climate when he graduated in the early 1980’s. Dr. Miller emphasized that culture trumps strategy, noting that the current business culture dictates future decisions for graduates each year. As a Paulding County graduate, and now working with today’s youth, Dr. Miller has seen both ends of the spectrum first-hand.
PCED Office Manager Kristen Schilt presented four new county business videos to market the businesses to the group. The videos for Ties & Bows Craft Shop, Antwerp; Pin-A-Rama Bowling, Diner & Pizza, Antwerp; Fur-Tastic Pups Dog Grooming, Cecil; and Maid to Achieve Cleaning Services, Paulding were created in conjunction with the Paulding Putnam Electric Co-op marketing team, PCED Board member Sarah Noggle and Schilt.
Economic Development Director Tim Copsey introduced PCED board members: Larry Manz, President, representing business and industry; Jim States, Vice-President, Oakwood Development Corp; Jeff Mumma, Treasurer, Financial Institutions; Sarah Noggle, Secretary, OSU Extension; Mike Kauser, Township Association; Bud Koenig, Planning Commission; Greg White, Mayors Association; George Carter, Paulding Community Improvement Corporation; Brett Wagner, at-large member; Ryan Whitaker, at-large member; Don Oberlin, Antwerp/Payne/Paulding County Community Improvement Corporation; and Joe Burkard, legal council but non-voting member.
Copsey shared many incredible statistics in regard to the 2022 business success of Paulding County. It was presented in the annual report that the current investment membership includes 234 business and individual entities from around the region. There were ten of those businesses identified by having been investment members of PCED for 20 years: Arthur Mutual Telephone Company, Paulding County Carnegie Library, Pleasant Valley Golf Course, Insource Technologies, Harrison Township, Tri-County Roofing, H.E.Orr Company, Village of Antwerp, Village of Cecil and the Village of Paulding.
Additionally, there was $65,302,241 capital investment reported by businesses in the county. Another point was that there have been 22 commercial property sales reported in the county this year. This brings the 3-year total to 56 properties changing hands since 2020.
Also noted was 191.92 new miles of fiber-optic cable put into the ground in 2022 with additional projects still being submitted. The hope is to use high speed internet as a draw to keep young people in the county and to offer an opportunity to bring back those that work from home.
Copsey then shared a narrative of how the business climate may change in the future with two 1000+ acre “mega” development sites within 20 miles of Paulding County. One is located just east of the Paulding County line in Defiance County, and the other in Van Wert County along US30. The development of one, or both of these sites, could drastically change and affect the Paulding County economy unless we plan ahead. There was additional presentation in regard to the subject.
PCED board President Larry Manz opened the event by welcoming attendees and sharing that for the second consecutive year, the economic development office posted 30% income growth over the previous year. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, a nourishing meal was served by Grant’s. Wonderful dinner music was provided by Vivace String Duo.
by Office Manager | Aug 10, 2022 | Membership, New Business, PCED Office
PAULDING – The Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) Board met this week with all board members present. John Kobee, President of PCED Diamond Investment Member Antwerp Exchange Bank, and former PCED Board Chair, was invited to update the board about the bank. Kobee spoke on current events with the bank branches in Antwerp, Payne and Harlan, IN, and shared some incite on current banking conditions. Kobee also shared what it means for the bank to be an active community participant and investment member with the PCED office. The group agreed in whole that this collaboration is beneficial to both parties and all the residents and communities they serve.
PCED Director Tim Copsey then updated the board on office business. Copsey announced the Small Business Innovation Center, which is a small business incubator office space managed by the PCED office, is at capacity. The eight finished offices are all currently being rented. Discussion with the board followed as there is still room for two additional spaces to be developed. The board approved estimates be obtained to develop these last two spaces. A determination from the board of how to move forward will take place upon receipt of the estimates.
It was shared that private membership investment into the PCED office is up 13.5% over the 2021 record year. At this point in 2022 there have been 31 new investment members added to the roster. Copsey asked the board to continue providing investor leads for the office to follow up on and add as potential opportunities to add even more members in the future.
Discussion took place in regard to the strategic plan for Paulding County. A draft of decided goals was recently presented from the board. Copsey presented some possible tracking for reaching those goals to the group. Pertinent discussion followed and a decided forward path was developed. This path will tie into future director presentations to the board and will be monitored for depth of value in the future.
Copsey shared that it has recently been agreed by all three county community improvement groups in the county (Antwerp/Payne/Paulding County, Paulding Village & Oakwood Village) to collectively meet and share some thoughts and ideas. This has been discussed in the past but this was the first time it was suggested by the groups themselves. A near future date will be set for the discussion.
The regular business agenda followed including:
Board consent for Copsey to attend the upcoming annual Ohio Economic Development Summit in Dublin, OH October 4-6.
Banquet update for the annual event to be held at Grant’s Catering in Antwerp November 1, 2022
Financial Committee update to discuss current budget and projections.
Executive session to discuss future salary and benefit packages for new and existing office employees.
The board will meet again in a regular meeting on Tuesday, September 13, 2022
