by Isabella Carwile | May 18, 2026 | Uncategorized
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 15, 2026
PAULDING – Village leaders from across Paulding County gathered Thursday evening for the quarterly Mayors and Village Council meeting, continuing their collaborative work to strengthen local communities and coordinate countywide initiatives.
County Engineer Scott Strahley opened the meeting on behalf of the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce and Community Redeveloping Paulding (CoRP) committees, providing an update on plans for the upcoming Paulding County America 250 Celebration. The Ad‑hoc America 250 Committee is working to expand this year’s John Paulding Days into a two‑day event scheduled for July 10–11.
Day one will continue to feature the traditional parade and fireworks, with new efforts to increase parade participation from county businesses and encourage children to decorate bicycles and ride in the parade under the America 250 theme. Strahley emphasized that the celebration is intended to be inclusive of all communities across the county.
Each village shared its preliminary America 250 plans, and a countywide schedule of events will be compiled and released to the public in the coming weeks. In conjunction with the celebration, America 250 commemorative banner signs will be available for purchase. Villages, residents, and businesses interested in securing a banner may contact the Paulding County Engineer’s Office for details.
During the meeting, leaders were informed that the county has been awarded a $50,000 grant for a Land Development Study, which will support forward‑thinking discussions on growth, land use, and future development opportunities. Representatives from Antwerp, Cecil, Grover Hill, Haviland, Latty, and Oakwood were present to discuss the grant, along with special guest Scott Sands from the Office of State Auditor Keith Faber.
Speaking on behalf of the Paulding County Engineer’s Office, Strahley outlined long‑term plans to assist the Auditor’s office and eventually assume responsibility for countywide GIS mapping. The transition aims to improve consistency and accessibility of mapping resources, including the addition of sewer, water, internet, and gas utility layers. Enhanced mapping will support future development discussions by providing clear visibility of existing infrastructure. The county also expressed willingness to coordinate line‑locating services for villages without current mapping.
Paulding County Economic Development Director Tim Copsey provided updates on ongoing economic development efforts, including the county’s recent $638,000 Brownfield Grant award from the Ohio Department of Development and continued progress across multiple residential and commercial Land Bank projects. Copsey noted that several projects from the previous funding cycle are nearing completion and that a new project list has been prepared for the 2026–27 application. Copsey also encouraged communities to identify additional homes or lots that may qualify for the Welcome Home Ohio (WHO) Grant, which supports the rehabilitation or construction of affordable residential properties.
Village leaders concluded the meeting by sharing updates on community challenges and successes. Participants highlighted the positive momentum occurring throughout Paulding County and reaffirmed the value of these meetings as they continue to build collaboration among the county communities.
by Isabella Carwile | Jan 15, 2026 | Uncategorized
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release January 13, 2025
PAULDING, OH — The Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) Board of Directors has elected its 2026 officers and approved two new members as part of its annual organisational process.
Fred Manz was elected Board President, with Tiffany Rockhold selected as Vice President, Austin Scheiner as Treasurer, and Jason Sheets as Secretary. The board also voted to appoint Trent Church and Randy Price as new directors. They succeed outgoing members Jim States, who concluded his service due to by‑law term limits, and Brett Wagner, who chose not to pursue an additional term.
One board vacancy remains. The Personnel Committee will work to identify a candidate to fill the seat held by Sarah Noggle, who also reached her term limit. In connection with this transition, the board approved a change to the position’s designation—from an OSU Extension representative to a broader agriculture representative—allowing greater flexibility in future appointments.
Committee assignments for Finance, Governance, Marketing, Personnel, and Banquet will be reviewed by the Executive Committee and presented at the March meeting. The board also named its representatives to the Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC): Tiffany Rockhold, Tyson Mowery, and Austin Scheiner, ahead of the council’s annual meeting on February 24. All board members reviewed and signed an updated non‑disclosure agreement during the session.
Treasurer’s reports were shared and discussed before Director Tim Copsey provided an overview of the office’s tentative 2026 strategic plan. Copsey also reminded members of PCED’s committed contribution toward the Vantage Career Center student‑built home in Latty and offered updates on operations and office rentals within the Small Business Innovation Center.
Board members concluded the meeting by sharing updates from the business sectors they represent, supporting ongoing dialogue about local economic conditions and opportunities.
The PCED Board of Directors will reconvene in March.
by Isabella Carwile | Dec 5, 2025 | Uncategorized
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release December 5, 2025
PAULDING — The Paulding County Business Advisory Council (BAC), in partnership with Vantage Career Center, Baughman Tile, and the Paulding County Economic Development Office, proudly announces the successful completion of a recent State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) training program for local students.
The ongoing need for STNA‑certified employees has been highlighted at several BAC meetings. In response to this demand—and with strong student interest—the BAC collaborated with Vantage Career Center to create a pathway for Paulding County students to earn their STNA certification.
Cost initially posed a challenge. Through continued discussion, Vantage Career Center stepped forward with the majority of the sponsorship, leaving only a small funding gap. Recognizing the importance of strengthening the county’s workforce, Baughman Tile Company—despite being a manufacturing business outside the healthcare sector—generously contributed the remaining support needed to fully fund the program. Their commitment reflects the BAC’s broader mission of improving Paulding County’s workforce across all industries.
With full sponsorship secured, students received high‑quality training that prepares them for meaningful careers in the healthcare field. The program demonstrates a strong commitment to workforce development, student opportunity, and community collaboration.
Four students successfully completed the course, with three already having passed their certification exam and officially earning their STNA credential. This inaugural cohort marks an important milestone, giving these students a valuable head start on their future careers while helping meet the region’s growing demand for skilled nursing assistants.
“This program is a great example of how local businesses and educational institutions can come together to invest in our youth and strengthen our community,” said Jessica Stechschulte, Paulding County Economic Development Administrator. “We are proud of these students and excited about the opportunities this program will continue to provide. Our Paulding County BAC team continues to support the future growth of our county.”
The BAC team looks forward to expanding the STNA program—and exploring additional in‑demand training opportunities—in the coming years, offering more students the chance to pursue local careers while supporting the region’s workforce needs.
by Isabella Carwile | Jul 9, 2025 | Uncategorized
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release July 9, 2025
PAULDING – The Paulding County Land Bank committee was updated on a plethora of projects taking place around the county this week, many of which are nearing completion.
Abby White, representing Maumee Valley Planning Organization (MVPO), began by sharing that the remediation of the Land Bank-owned Paulding trailer court, located at 802 North Main Street, has been completed. Dangler Excavating, of Paulding, has removed the dilapidated trailers, cement pads, and streets associated with the property and backfilled the open lot with topsoil. With the project complete, the Land Bank will move forward and sell the property to the neighboring property owners, the Paulding Exempted Village School.
Dangler Excavating moved their equipment south to 119 South Main Street in Paulding. This demolition is the former Caring & Sharing food pantry building, owned by the Paulding County Carnegie Library. The future plan is to build a new community center on the open lot.
The next completed project is the former church building located at 201 North Williams Street in Paulding. The building was removed by Advance Demolition, McComb, Ohio. The church structure, basement, and surrounding sidewalks were removed and backfilled with clay soil. The clay was heavily compacted as the finished site will be purchased by the Paulding VFW Post 587 for the future site of the Paulding Veterans Memorial. Fundraising continues for the beautifully designed monument.
White then shared updates on many next-round commercial and residential projects ready to take place in villages and townships around the county. Many easily noticed demolitions will take place around Antwerp, Grover Hill, Haviland, and Melrose, along with environmental testing being completed in Antwerp, Grover Hill, Oakwood, Paulding, and Payne areas.
On the Brownfield Program side of blight clean-up, Matt Wagner, representing the county EPA consulting team, Tetra Tech, shared good news as well. The remediation of the former Mercer Landmark Grain Mill in Antwerp has been completed. It will provide additional parking and turnaround room for grain-hauling semi-trucks and hopper wagons at the Mercer Landmark facility. With the completion of the project, the property will be sold to the Patriot Railroad.
Wagner was eager to share that the new Ohio budget has allowed another $200 million in funding for continued brownfield and blight cleanup in 2026 & 2027. The committee will now be tasked with putting together a new list of potential sites to continue clean-up around the county. This will allow the preparation of sites for future residential and commercial development.
Wagner then reminded the committee that the Ohio Department of Development awarded Paulding County $85,074 in funding for asbestos removal in the Paulding Village-owned former Winkle Chevrolet building, located on the square. The building has asbestos-wrapped pipes and flooring that will be remediated to make the building safer to work in and allow a seamless future sale if the opportunity arises.
Wagner finished by providing brief environmental updates on the former JJ Ross gas station in Grover Hill and the former Stokely pond property in Paulding.
Paulding County Economic Development Director Tim Copsey noted that zoning changes have been completed on a Land Bank-owned property within the Village of Cecil. This will allow the group to move forward with selling a designated parcel to Patriot Railroad for a potential future transload site.
Copsey also provided the committee with information about the former Grizzley property. It is now under the EPA consultant oversight of T&M Associates in Cleveland. They will continue to collect data with an end goal of providing a clean property to the Land Bank in the future.
In addition, Copsey shared that a recent blighted residential property, purchased in Paulding at 621 Sugar Street, is currently being mowed and maintained until demolition takes place later this year.
Committee discussion then turned to the Welcome Home Ohio (WHO) grant funding. With the help of MVPO, the county has been awarded $300,000 to use for residential blight rehabilitation projects over the next 24 months. The current Land Bank financial balance is $63,904.08, but it was decided that with the influx of funds expected from the previously discussed property sales, the committee will begin looking for one or two residential home rehabilitation projects to purchase and target using these grant funds. Additional discussion will now begin with realtors, financial groups, and contractors to develop a plan to use the funds accordingly.
by Isabella Carwile | Jul 18, 2023 | Uncategorized
Hear it here! This week on Paulding County Business Weekly, we’ll hear from Mindy Stoller with
Hands of Hope Paulding Pregnancy Services. Listen in as Mindy shares her background and the history of the pregnancy center, along with the many other services offered at Hands of Hope, including a soon-to-be dedicated baby drop box for the county.
Thanks to OhioMeansJobs, you can tune in 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 Tim Copsey | Nov 17, 2021 | Uncategorized
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release November 10, 2021
Paulding County Annual Business & Industry Appreciation Banquet
ANTWERP, OH – The Paulding County Economic Development Board of Directors recently hosted their
Business & Industry Appreciation Banquet. The event is hosted annually to recognize business and
commercial growth and prosperity within the county.
Following a networking and socializing hour, the event was opened with a welcome by PCED Board
President Larry Manz. Manz shared updated financial statistics about the office. He was followed by
Dennis Recker who led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Recker was then presented a small token
for his years of service to the board. Recker is completing his second term on the board that will
complete at the end of the year. Recker then introduced Economic Development Director Tim Copsey.
Copsey also welcomed guests before acknowledging the nineteen Diamond, Platinum and Gold Level
investment member businesses, who helped sponsor the banquet event. It was noted that this was the
21st annual event, although there was not a banquet held in 2020, due to covid pandemic restrictions.
Dinner was served by Grant’s Catering, who was also the event site host. During the dinner the Vivace
String duo of Carman Martin and Elsie Manz, played the violin and cello respectively, for the over 150
banquet attendees.
Following dinner several businesses made presentations. The first ever Diamond Level investment
business member, Union Bank, addressed the crowd to share their business plans to the group and also
updated the county on the status of their exciting building rehabilitation, taking place in downtown
Paulding. This will be their northmost of 17 bank branches in Ohio. Also presenting were newly
developed businesses that have invested in the economic development office: Brown Made Media,
EAW Keepsake Beads and MySportsLive.org. The new business Grounded Coffee and Crumbs provided
each attendee a cookie to try to promote their business.
Copsey shared the five businesses that have invested into the PCED office for 20 consecutive
years. This year those businesses were: Baker-Shindler, Schweller Electric, Foltz Insurance,
State Bank and Ohio Gas. Copsey and new PCED Office Manager Kristen Schilt will visit each 20
year investment member to acknowledge and thank them for their dedicated investment and
present them with an appreciation plaque soon.
Copsey then walked the guests through a two-year review and update of the PCED office. The
review included changes in the office, recent successes, upcoming projects and futuristic
thoughts. The evening ended in revealing a new marketing video that will be used to entice
and encourage anyone that views it to take a more in-depth look into what Paulding County has
to offer. The video can be found on the PCED Facebook or LinkedIn social media pages.
Photo Credit: West Bend
