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.
by Office Manager | Jun 17, 2022 | Community, Jobs, PCED Office
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release June 8, 2022
PAULDING COUNTY, OH – Paulding County will host its first “Teacher Boot Camp” event this summer. Ten teachers from around the county have signed up to learn more about Paulding County and the exciting businesses and opportunities that exist within the county.
This collaboration project has taken center stage here during fair week in Paulding County. Western Buckeye Educational Service Center (WBESC), Ashland University and the Paulding County Economic Development office have partnered to offer teachers the chance to get out and tour manufacturing, healthcare and agriculture facilities around the county. This will allow the teachers the opportunity to see how business has changed over the years and learn first-hand, what students graduating from the county schools each year, might find behind the business building walls they pass by every day.
“The hope is that these teachers understand that the manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare business world today isn’t like it was in the 1970’s, 80’s or even in 2010. You can go into these facilities now, put in a good hard day of work, and still come out clean. Technology has made a huge difference in business today and we want to be sure we promote that within our county,” explained county Economic Development Director Tim Copsey. “We want to be sure those who spend the majority of time with our county students, from grades K thru 12, see and understand this going forward. We couldn’t be more excited to host this program with these committed teachers.”
Once the teachers complete their week of participation, they will be required to develop a presentation and present in front of the fellow teachers and a member of WBESC and Ashland University for a grade. A passing grade will allow them continuing education units (CEU’s) to meet their education criteria.
The teachers this year will tour facilities at: Paulding County Opportunity Center, new Antwerp Local School Innovation Center, Paragon Tempered Glass, Paulding County Hospital, Wayne Trace Local School Robotics introduction and demonstration, Mansfield Welding, Robert’s Manufacturing, Vantage Career Center, and the new Mercer Landmark facility. In addition, there will be presentations from WBESC Superintendent Tom Taylor, Dr. James Powell with Ashland University, County Commissioner Roy Klopfenstein, OSU Extension FSC Educator Casey Bishop, First Financial Bank, Area Foundation Director Lisa McClure, United Way Director Lora Lyons, Economic Development Director Tim Copsey, Pioneer Lines, Sheriff Jason Landers, Cooper Farms, Ohio Small Business Development Consultant Lisa Beecher, State Bank, Northwest State Community College, Ohio Means Jobs and the Kenn Feld Group.
“We had more businesses volunteer to host and present than we had room to schedule them all. Hopefully this event is interesting enough that these teachers will go back to their respective schools and share their excitement and that leads right into another event next summer,” continued Copsey.
The camp event runs from June 13-16 and presentations on June 23. For questions about the boot camp or information on any of the tours and presentations call 419-399-8282.
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 Office Manager | Apr 22, 2022 | Community, Events, Jobs, Membership, PCED Office
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release April 20, 2022
PCED hosts Career Day Showcase
PAULDING, OH – The Paulding County Economic Development office hosted a Career Day
Showcase event here this week. The event, held at the Paulding County Fairgrounds, was the
first in the county in three years. Businesses, colleges, not-for profit groups, and government
offices displayed and highlighted their businesses to the junior and senior classes from all three
Paulding County schools.
The event ran from 8am-12noon with students arriving at the top of each hour. The Vantage
Career Center students from Antwerp, Paulding and Wayne Trace schools were invited to
attend the first hour. Each school then brought their students on the hour for forty-five
minutes. CHEP-C homeschool students and the public were invited to attend at any time.
“It was great to see the students asking valuable questions about hiring, job duties and getting
a better idea of what our local businesses do. A few even filled out job applications on the
spot! While some left with seasonal or full-time jobs in mind, all left with extra knowledge of
what opportunities we have here in Paulding County.” stated Economic Development Office
Manager Kristen Schilt.
Students were provided a “passport”. The passports suggested a variety of questions to ask
presenting businesses to help create conversation. Each student was invited to talk to a
minimum of five businesses and have the business sign their passport. Completed passports
were entered into a drawing for two $25 gift gas cards per school. The cards were sponsored
by National Oil & Gas, Inc. They provide fuel to Marathon gas stations all over the county.
Paulding County Economic Development Director Tim Copsey noted, “The event far exceeded
what we hoped to create and achieve today. The excitement of the businesses and colleges to
get in front of the students again was a great positive, but to see the interaction of the students
in front of the presenters today, for the first time in years, was worth all of the time and effort
put into this event.” Copsey continued, “The county Business Advisory Council meetings have
provided interaction between the PCED office, county businesses, and school officials and
certainly helped facilitate this event coming back. With our office going in and meeting with
students a couple times this year, to help prepare them for this event, it seemed to make the
students more comfortable with us. The bridges that were built today between students and
business leaders was truly impressive to watch.”
This was the first event that the fairly new economic development office staff was able to host
since taking their PCED positions. They noted their thankful appreciation for the help of Vicky
Steele who has helped prepare this event for the PCED office in the past.
