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
by Office Manager | Aug 10, 2022 | New Business, PCED Office, Property Development
PAULDING – Collaboration continues to be the theme in Paulding County and this week was an exciting culmination of that. For the first time in many years, and perhaps ever, the three county Community Improvement Corporations (CIC) met jointly around the same table, in the same meeting, to discuss moving Paulding County forward together.
Members from the Antwerp/Payne Paulding County CIC, Oakwood Development Corporation (ODC) and Paulding CIC followed an agenda developed by county Economic Development Director Tim Copsey.
“Since I began in this role it has been a goal to get all three of these powerful entities together to possibly work collaboratively. They all do tremendous things in their own local areas and each are represented on the county Economic Development Board, but beyond those meetings there isn’t any sharing of thoughts or discussion. There have been some obstacles in the past, but little by little members have changed, philosophy has changed, and maybe even some old burned bridges have been mended or rebuilt. We would like to think our office had a little to do with that, but however it happened, we are excited for this positive meeting and momentum,” stated Copsey.
Copsey shared about how the Northwest Ohio Regional Economic Development (NORED) group works with area county economic development directors meeting and sharing ideas; shared the same about the Northeast Indiana Regional Growth Partnership; then updated the group on a recent meeting with eight area economic development directors from Steuben, Dekalb, Allen and Adams Counties in Indiana and Williams, Defiance, Paulding and Van Wert Counties in Ohio. It was noted that if these collaborative meetings can work why not our three entities working together right here for the overall good of Paulding County?
Lively discussion followed about the possibilities but it was quickly noted that nothing would happen without funding. The discussion then turned to the Land Reutilization Committee and Paulding County Area Foundation Director being invited to see if there might be further collaboration involved to get projects rolling together. There was also in-depth discussion about establishing fundraising event opportunities to develop seed money.
The excitement was enough that there is already a follow-up meeting scheduled for the group to meet again in August to review initial thoughts and decide how to develop a collective plan forward. For more information or questions about any of the CIC groups in the county contact the PCED office at 419-399-8282.
by Office Manager | Jul 29, 2022 | Community, Events, PCED Office
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release July 29, 2022
Coffee & Conversation Social for Young Professionals
Paulding, OH – The Young Professionals of Paulding County had a successful social event Thursday night at Grounded Coffee & Crumbs. The growing group met for “Coffee & Conversation” and the coffee shop was buzzing! New connections were made and current events and local topics were discussed. There is a lot of potential for this group as the question continues to be asked, what is it that Young Professionals want to see for the future of their Paulding County? Anyone under the age of 40 who works, lives, or worships in Paulding County is welcome to join. The group will meet again on Tuesday, August 30 location is still TBD so stay tuned. Contact Kristen Schilt with Paulding County Economic Development for more details at 419-399-8295.
by Office Manager | Jul 6, 2022 | Community, Events, PCED Office
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release June 29, 2022
Young Professionals of Paulding County kickoff event.
PAULDING, OH – On Wednesday, June 29th the Young Professionals of Paulding County, a new
group in the area overseen by Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) held a kick off
meeting to network, brainstorm and share about happenings in Paulding County.
The hour session included a round of speed networking, insightful discussions and activities
related to the stages of team development led by Estee Miller, spot on for the beginning stages
of this group forming. Kristen Schilt, PCED Office Manager then shared upcoming events in the
area and volunteer opportunities including West Ohio Food Bank Distribution on July 6th from
10 am-noon at the Paulding County Fairgrounds and John Paulding Summer Blast on July 15th a
celebration in Downtown Paulding with a parade, food, kids’ activities and fireworks.
Schilt, explained, “Being a part of the Economic Development office for almost a year now, a
common theme I hear from various organizations around the county is the need to get the
younger generation involved, whether it be volunteering or participating in public meetings. We
feel there is opportunity for the Young Professionals of Paulding County to help facilitate filling
that need. Not only will this group be beneficial for people who participate to network, gather
business leads, and get plugged into the community but it also can help foster discussions for
what young professionals see for Paulding County and our communities in the future.”
The Young Professionals of Paulding County is open to anyone under the age of 40 who works,
lives or worships in Paulding County. The next event will be in late July. Contact Kristen for
more information at office@pced.net or 419-399-8295.
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 | Jun 27, 2022 | Business Expansion, Community, New Business, PCED Office
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release June 23, 2022
Business owner receives support to make building enhancements.
PAULDING, OH – Cassidy Atkins entrepreneur and owner of Fur-Tastic Pups Dog Grooming in Cecil, OH is the first recipient of the Small Business Support Loan through the Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office. This fund was made possible by the Paulding County Area Foundation and was established just three months ago to help small businesses in Paulding County.
Having met with PCED, Atkins shared the need at her facility to have a door installed in an exterior wall to allow for the dogs to access the outdoors and fenced-in yard. PCED was able to share the Small Business Support Loan opportunity with Atkins, where she applied and was accepted to be loaned funds to help move the project forward.
Paulding County Economic Development Director, Tim Copsey noted, “Partnering with the Paulding County Area Foundation has allowed this first opportunity for a small business to happen. In a time when things are very uncertain, being able to offer something like this to small businesses reassures them Paulding County is business friendly and that our not for profit groups are supportive. We are excited for Cassidy and her business. This is just the beginning for this program.”
Fur-Tastic Pups is a full-service, bath and grooming salon for dogs. Atkins opened her doors in April and is currently accepting new clients. You can find Fur-Tastic Pups on Facebook or call 419-670-8802.
To learn more about programs and resources available for small businesses check out the PCED website at www.pced.net; or email Kristen Schilt, Office Manager at office@pced.net.
