by Office Manager | Jan 5, 2024 | Business Expansion, Events, Funding, New Business, Property Development
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release January 5, 2024
JobsOhio Inclusion Grant Info Session for Local Businesses
Paulding County – Local business owners are invited to an informative session on the JobsOhio Inclusion Grant, presented by Jessica Sattler from the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP).
Date: Wednesday January 17, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location: Paulding Eagles, 206 W Perry St, Paulding
This session will highlight grant opportunities for businesses in the specific communities of Paulding, Broughton, Cecil, and Oakwood. Qualifying businesses may access a $25,000 grant. Additionally, minority, female, disabled, or veteran-owned businesses may qualify for further funding opportunities.
To attend, RSVP to Paulding County Economic Development at office@pced.net or call 419-399-8295.
by Office Manager | Dec 19, 2023 | Business Expansion, Community, Jobs, Membership, New Business
Join us Tuesday and Thursday at 8 AM and 5 PM on 102.7 FM for a new PCBW episode with Angie Freese, representing Antwerp Main Street Business Center, Hormann’s Heating & Cooling, and Geenex Solar. Missed it on air? No problem, catch the episode anytime on your favorite podcast app. Angie talks us through a new affordable office and meeting space at Antwerp Main Street Business Center, which is perfect for small, new, or existing businesses looking for offices or meeting spaces. Plus, hear details about Hormann’s and Geenex Solar. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss! Thanks to our sponsor; OhioMeansJobs of Paulding County for allowing us to share more about our businesses with the community through this program!
LINK TO LISTEN ONLINE
by Office Manager | Oct 20, 2023 | Business Expansion, Community, New Business, Property Development
GROVER HILL – October 20, 2023 was a historic day in Paulding County, and specifically the Village of Grover Hill, as a groundbreaking event was hosted for the construction of a new Dollar General store. It was noted that events like this are what bring positive change to communities and what people will look back on in 25 or 50 years and identify as a community building day. There are not a lot of these days noted recently in the history of the village, but Grover Hill residents have made the most of those that have. According to Paulding County historian Walter Lang, the last two commercial buildings that were developed in the village limits were the Bud Stratton Dairy Dip in 1962; and Oakwood Deposit Bank in 1978. Nearly 30 people took the time to attend here today.
This project’s realization has been years in the making, and stands as a testament to the power of collaboration. The visionary efforts and forward-thinking of the Paulding County Land Bank Committee members were instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. The Land Bank Committee consists of: Commissioner Mark Holtsberry, Paulding County Treasurer Lou Ann Wannemacher, Commissioner Mike Weible, Mike Kauser representing Paulding County Townships, Paulding Mayor Greg White representing the county villages, and Paulding County Prosecutor Joe Burkard. The land bank purchase and demolition of the existing building on the property at the time, helped kick off this this venture that commenced several years ago. It was in part due to discussions with former county commissioner Roy Klopfenstein and then Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) Director Jerry Zielke, who played pivotal roles as members of the project committee.
Rural development relies on local investment and collaborative efforts, as emphasized by current PCED Director Tim Copsey, who stated, “It takes collaboration. We wish to express our gratitude to our partners in this project including: Mayor John Moon and the Village of Grover Hill; Josh Allen with Cross Development, the PC Land Bank; and local property owners Mark and Janette Figert along with Loy and Katherine Taylor. Without all of their dedication to seeing this project to the end this would have not been possible.”
Klopfenstein, now District 82 member of the Ohio House of Representatives, and village Mayor John Moon, both spoke a few words of thanks to the attendees and the efforts of the Paulding County Economic Development office and the collaboration as well.
It was noted that this event ties right in with many other great things taking place in and around the village with the recent opening of the Grover Hill Lions Club Community Center, a functioning Lifewise program, and the upcoming site revitalizations in the old Grover Hill Depot building and blacksmith shop through the Paulding County land bank.
In the photo from left to right: Mark Holtsberry, Tim Copsey, Lou Ann Wannemacher, John Moon, Mark Figert, Loy Taylor, Roy Klopfenstein, Josh Allen.
by Isabella Carwile | Oct 10, 2023 | Community, New Business, Paulding County Business Weekly Radio Broadcast
Hear it here! Our next guest on Paulding County Business Weekly is Matt Moore. Matt and his wife, Mandy, are the owners of The Upper Nine golf simulator. This new business is located in the upstairs of a downtown Antwerp building. Listen in to hear how the business came about and our discussion of what entrepreneurism can look like in a rural community. You’ll also hear about some of the funding and grant opportunities that can be provided through your local economic development office. Thanks to OhioMeansJobs, 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
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 | Feb 28, 2023 | Business Expansion, New Business, PCED Office
The Small Business Innovation Center (SBIC) located between the Paulding Area Foundation building and the Board of Elections has multiple office spaces available for rent.
Managed by the Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office, the SBIC was established in 2015 to offer an economical business office setting to young, growing businesses or established businesses located outside of the immediate area. With a prime location “on the square,” these businesses have the opportunity to gauge community support and maximize their visibility to determine if opening their own storefront would be viable or beneficial. Ideally, these businesses would flourish and eventually require their own permanent spaces from vacant storefronts in Paulding County or those in need of refurbishment.
AgCredit, a member-owned farm credit lending firm from northwest Ohio,
was the first business to take advantage of the SBIC opportunity and turn it into a success. After establishing a temporary office in the SBIC, AgCredit made their move in the fall of 2020 into a revamped retail space at 839 N. Williams St and added more members to their team.
Other businesses have taken up residence in the SBIC temporarily while their future locations were either under construction or yet to be established. Paulding’s probate court temporarily occupied one of the SBIC’s office suites before moving to its permanent location on McDonald Pike. In 2020, The Union Bank expanded into Paulding by utilizing the SBIC reception area and office suite while their future location on Main St in Paulding was under renovation. The Red Angel Pizza finished out their careers with their home office in the SBIC.
PCED Director Tim Copsey noted, “The SBIC has been instrumental in establishing office space for many new and existing businesses in Paulding County. We look forward to what the future brings for the next businesses in occupying the open space.”
What the SBIC offers
The SBIC consists of two levels of rentable office spaces. The main entrance opens to the reception area with approximately 240 sq ft and plenty of workspace with two seating areas.
Between the reception area and community office area are four, 10′ x 12′ office suites. The community area is equipped with a workspace, file storage, restrooms and a full kitchenette including a microwave, sink and refrigerator. Three of the suites are currently occupied by PC Waste Management, Maid to Achieve, and United Edge Real Estate and Auction.
At the far end of the lower level is a community boardroom that seats up to 12 people.
All of the spaces are powered and equipped with wifi.
Upstairs, there is a total of five rentable office spaces, four of which are currently occupied. There are two conference rooms available to rent by the hour. Northwest State Community College has held conferences in this space and Paulding Entrepreneurial Network (PEN) holds meetings there twice a month.
Businesses that currently occupy the upper-level offices are Habitat for Humanity, Family First Bail Bondsman, Papin Photography and Northwest Ohio Wind.
Available spaces for rent
There is currently one upstairs office space available for rent, as well as the reception area and one office suite on the lower level now that Union Bank has moved into its new location next to Grounded Coffee & Crumbs on Main St.
For more information about the SBIC, or for a tour of these spaces, contact Office Manager Kristen Schilt at 419-399-8295, or office@pced.net.
