by Isabella Carwile | Mar 9, 2026 | Business Expansion, Community, Funding, PCED Office, Property Development, Residential, Shoutout, Workforce
For Immediate Release
March 9, 2026
ANTWERP – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced $9 million in statewide grant awards to support residential growth and workforce housing. Among the top recipients is the Village of Antwerp (Paulding County), which secured $2.3 million to advance a long-anticipated workforce housing development positioned along the US24 highway.
Other award recipients include: the City of Youngstown (Mahoning County) – $2.5 million; the City of Hamilton (Butler County) – $2.5 million; the City of Lancaster (Fairfield County) – $1 million and the City of Warren (Trumbull County) – $851,000
These five awards were selected from 48 applicants who requested a combined $99 million, placing Antwerp’s project among the most competitive and highest-ranked proposals in the state.
The project represents one of the most significant housing investments in county history and stands as a testament to persistence, partnership, and community vision.
The Antwerp development project began with the completion of the US24 highway in 2012. At that time, the Antwerp, Payne, Paulding County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) secured a purchase option agreement on approximately 30 acres in the northwest corner of the US24–State Route 49 interchange.
As more detailed marketing efforts progressed, it became clear in 2020 that the option did not include US24 frontage, nor a designated access point into the property. A critical breakthrough came when Jane and Leo Stumphy donated a residential property located between the optioned land and SR49, enabling access into the option property. Kauser Excavation removed an existing building structure on the property and leveled the ground surface. This allowed the Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office to apply for and secure a $350,000 Ohio Department of Development grant to construct 300’ of easement road, surface drainage, and curbing, demonstrating to potential investors that the community was committed to a long-term growth plan.
New discussions then began with the highway frontage property owners, the Marlin family and Antwerp Community Church. One of the parcels was located in Carryall Township, the other in Antwerp Village. This led to a plethora of meetings between 2021 and 2024 involving PCED, the CIC, Village of Antwerp leadership and elected officials, Carryall Township trustees, County Commissioners, County Auditor office, County Engineer office, and two related Powell, Ohio-based investment groups—BMJW Investments, LLC and MWB Investments, LLC. These meetings ultimately brought the property all into the village and secured options on the entire 90‑acre area between Antwerp Local School and US24.
In 2025, the two Powell, Ohio‑based investment groups completed the land purchase and began planning what is now known as Antwerp Square. Their early work included surveys and environmental studies to prepare the site for potential funding opportunities. To qualify for this particular grant, the project needed to demonstrate at least 100 residential build lots, which the Antwerp Square plan meets. The awarded funds will support the extension of roads, water, sewer, and natural gas needed to bring those new homes to market.
A second access easement was now needed for the newly acquired US24 frontage. The best fit was a 1.2-acre parcel, also owned by Antwerp Community Church. It is located between the church parking lot and the Dollar General building. Although the CIC and church quickly reached a purchase option agreement, immediate funds were not available.
To bridge the gap, the CIC invited investors to sponsor the naming of the first existing easement road. Mrs. Sue Meyer stepped forward, securing naming rights as Meyer Avenue. Her family’s contribution enabled the CIC to purchase the final easement lot and complete the land control required for this project.
The Paulding County Economic Development office coordinated communication and project management throughout the 14-year process. Current PCED Director Tim Copsey emphasized the extraordinary teamwork behind the effort:
“This grant award was made possible because of the amazing collaboration of so many forward-thinking individuals, groups, elected officials, and businesses over the years that could see a goal of growing the Antwerp community together. Starting with that very first property option, positive help came through the Stumphy donation, Kauser Excavating team, Pastor Rick Grimes and the church board, the Nazarene District Board, the Marlin family, the Meyer family, Antwerp Village representatives and council members past and present, the township, PC Auditor, Engineer, Commissioners, Prosecutor, the CIC Board of Directors, BMJW and MWB Investment groups, the list goes on. At one point, seven sets of attorneys were involved.”
“It has been quite a learning experience. There was anxiety, stress, and if we are being honest, at times we thought we weren’t going to get this over the finish line. Determination guided us throughout this project. We are blessed with so much collaboration. Having the Ohio Department of Development recognize this as one of the top five workforce development projects in all of Ohio makes it all worthwhile.”
With state funding now secured, Antwerp is positioned to move forward with a residential development that will attract new families, support workforce needs, and strengthen long‑term population growth in the community and Paulding County.
by Isabella Carwile | Feb 25, 2026 | Business Advisory Council, Community, Events, Jobs, PCED Office, Shoutout, Workforce
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release February 25, 2026
PAULDING – The Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office will host its annual Paulding County Career Day on Tuesday, April 9. The event will take place at the Paulding County OSU Extension Building, located at 503 Fairground Drive from 8a-12p. The event is open to the public from 8a-9a.
High school students from Antwerp, Paulding, Wayne Trace, Continental, and Vantage Career Center will be attending this event to explore career pathways and engage with participating businesses, colleges, and nonprofit organizations.
“Last year, we welcomed more than 51 businesses and colleges, and we are anticipating another strong turnout this year. We encourage employers and institutions seeking talent to contact us for details on participating,” said Jessica Stechschulte, Director’s Assistant at Paulding County Economic Development.
The event is for mor than just hiring a future workforce. The event to to show students what products are made her in the county and the region. It gives employers an opportunity to share their business name, their logo, and engage with students to help them feel comfortable if the need to find employment down the road.
This year, through Business Advisory Council discussions, the schools and businesses have decided to have the students prepare resumes and “dress to impress” to make it a more meaningful event for everyone involved.
To sign up to display, or for additional information, please contact Jessica Stechschulte at of****@**ed.net.
by Isabella Carwile | Feb 11, 2026 | Community, Events, Jobs, PCED Office, Workforce
HICKSVILLE – The Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) office recently coordinated an exploratory learning tour at Sabre Industries in Hicksville, Ohio. The tour included more than 40 students from Antwerp Local, Paulding Exempted Village, Wayne Trace Local Schools, and the Paulding County Opportunity Center. Students who indicated an interest in a welding future were treated to an up-close look at large-scale welding operations tied to Sabre’s steel pole fabrication and production.
Through collaboration with Defiance County Economic Development Director Erika Willitzer, the PCED office learned that Sabre is actively seeking a large number of welding and production employees to support its expanding production needs. In response, PCED worked with Sabre Industries administration team to organize a tour for students who expressed interest in welding careers, giving them the chance to see the profession in action and better understand the skills required.
The Sabre admin team shared valuable information with students about the overall company, but specifically the Hicksville facility. Discussion included safety, quality, production aspects, and employee benefits.
“This experience was valuable on multiple levels,” explained PCED Director Tim Copsey. “Some students realized welding wasn’t the right fit for them, while others left more excited and hope to pursue the trade. Both outcomes are wins—career exploration is about clarity, not pressure.”
The tour served as a pilot for what PCED hopes are more future workforce-focused field experiences. PCED will be gathering student feedback on what worked well, what could be improved, and what additional elements would make future tours even more impactful.
Copsey is encouraging local employers to consider hosting similar student tours, “If your business needs to build a future workforce, now is the time to open your doors. If you don’t have a pipeline of employees ready to step in, or if you have team members nearing retirement, it is time to introduce students to your industry to help secure your workforce for tomorrow.”
The next collaborative workforce event will be the Paulding County Career Day. It is scheduled for April 9 from 8:00a to 12:00p at the county fairground campus. This event brings together all junior and senior students countywide. Businesses throughout the region that are interested in participating or arranging a facility tour are encouraged to contact the PCED office to reserve a spot.
by Isabella Carwile | Feb 11, 2026 | Business Advisory Council, Community, Events, Jobs, PCED Office, Workforce
PAULDING – The Paulding County Business Advisory Council (BAC) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Paulding Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2405. The Paulding Eagles will host future lunch‑and‑learn meetings. The collaboration reflects the county’s ongoing commitment to uniting business, industry, and education in support of local workforce development.
The February meeting featured updates on several upcoming student‑business interaction events across the region. This week, more than 40 Paulding County students toured the Sabre Industries facility in Hicksville, Ohio to learn about their business, welding, and manufacturing career pathways. The event was a joint communication effort between Paulding County Economic Development and Defiance County Economic Development.
Antwerp High School Principal Jessie Arnold shared details about the school’s new Junior High Career Connections event taking place next week. Fourteen area businesses, representing a range of industry clusters, will meet with students to discuss career opportunities, mentoring possibilities, and how early exposure can help guide future high school course planning.
Paulding High School Panther for Careers Coordinator Shawn Brewer provided an update on the after-school welding class led by instructor Staci Miller. The program collaborates with Northwest State Community College (NSCC) and the economic development office to coordinate credentials. The class will take a tour at Mansfield Welding soon, and bring additional industry presenters to the classroom to broaden student to business exposure.
Wayne Trace High School Curriculum Director Tim Manz noted that the STEAM program continues to evolve and looks for additional business partnerships to connect students with real-world problem-solving scenarios.
Paulding County Economic Development Director Tim Copsey announced updates in regard to the county’s summer educator program. Formerly known as Teacher Boot Camp, the initiative will now be called the Career Connection Educator Day Camp. Educators will have the option to register for a single day focused on math, science, social studies, arts/specials, or ELA career connections, or attend the full week to earn CEU credit.
Representatives from NSCC and Rhodes State explained upcoming adult and school-aged student learning events that are coming up at their respective schools.
Looking ahead, the BAC discussed several major events planned for 2026, including:
- County Career Day on April 9 at the Paulding County Fairgrounds
- Business displays at the Paulding County Fair in June
- Build Your Future skills development event that will be held in partnership with Vantage Career Center at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds in September
These initiatives reflect the BAC’s continued commitment to strengthening the county’s talent pipeline and creating meaningful connections between students, educators, and employers.
For more information about the Paulding County BAC or to get involved, please contact the Paulding County Economic Development office.
by Isabella Carwile | Dec 18, 2025 | Business Expansion, Community, Events, Funding, Membership, PCED Office, Shoutout, Workforce
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release December 18, 2025
PAULDING — The Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) Board of Directors recently convened its December meeting.
Guest speaker Roni Bakle of Keller Logistics introduced and explained the K.A.V.I.C. program (Keller Assists Veterans in Crisis), now serving Paulding, Williams, and Henry counties, providing financial support for veterans in need. The hope is to make more people aware of the program in the future.
Treasurer Jeff Mumma reported strong account balances, year-over-year. Membership contributions for 2025 remained steady, and 2026 membership inquiries are in the mail. The board approved the financial report for audit.
Director Tim Copsey provided information on multiple projects around the county, including the recent authentication notice from the JobsOhio team, in regard to the 43-acre Paulding Industrial Park site. There was also an update on the Small Business Innovation Center (SBIC), noting full occupancy on the first floor level and current open office spaces upstairs.
It was shared that Lisa Becher, consultant with the NW Ohio Small Business Development Center, requested county support for entrepreneurial funding. With a positive investment from each of the five counties she serves, there could be a matching grant available. The board approved a donation to the Northwest State Community College Foundation to assist with Paulding County business startups.
A full discussion took place in regard to open board positions. President Jim States, Secretary Sarah Noggle, and board member Brett Wagner have all reached their term limits. The board acknowledged their investment of time, effort, and excellent service to the board and the county and wished them the best going forward.
In other business:
- The Banquet Committee shared that 187 member guests attended the November banquet.
- The Personnel Committee will begin the process of filling open board seats immediately.
- The Governance Committee will begin reviewing the strategic plan for 2026 updates
- Set the 2026 meeting and banquet dates
by Isabella Carwile | Dec 18, 2025 | Business Advisory Council, Community, Events, Funding, Shoutout, Workforce
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release December 18, 2025
PAULDING — The Western Buckeye Educational Service Center and Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) recently convened the Q4 Business Advisory Council (BAC) at the OSU Extension building, highlighting continued collaboration and innovation in workforce development.
The meeting opened with a discussion on the group’s identity, exploring potential name changes to better reflect its mission. Suggestions included “Community Workforce Development Committee,” “ALIGN Paulding,” and “PACE (Paulding County Alliance for Career and Education).” Following a good discussion, the committee opted to table the decision for future consideration.
Attendees celebrated the success of the Youth Business Showcase and explored merging it with the Next Gen Youth event to create a unified platform for student entrepreneurship and creativity during Small Business Saturday. A committee will work through the details.
A standout highlight was the STNA training initiative, where four Paulding County students earned certification through Vantage Career Center’s Adult Education program. Thanks to a generous contribution from Baughman Tile, a manufacturing facility unrelated to healthcare, all students participated at no cost—an example of cross-sector collaboration driving rural workforce solutions.
PCED Director Tim Copsey elaborated, “It will be this type of collaboration and discussion in future BAC meetings that allow businesses in a rural county like Paulding to sustain and grow. Kudos to Baughman Tile for this investment in our youth and to Vantage Career Center for providing the opportunity.”
Additional topics included:
- Plans to expand the welding cohort at Paulding High School and introduce CDL training.
- A February tour of Sabre Industries for students interested in welding and manufacturing.
- Updates on Teacher Bootcamp funding and potential support from many sources, including OhioMeansJobs.
- Upcoming student-business engagement events in 2026, including career fairs, open houses, and STEAM nights across the county.
To learn more or get involved with the Paulding County BAC, please contact the Paulding County Economic Development office.
