Tim Copsey
Valerie Sathe Brugeman
It’s a great time to be a part of Small Town America! This seemed to be the theme of the evening at the 2018 Paulding County Economic Development Appreciation Banquet on Tuesday evening, October 9. The event took place at Grant’s Catering in Antwerp. 150 guests of Paulding County business owners, organization representatives and government officials were present for the evening including the Paulding County Commissioners – Roy Klopfenstein, Tony Zartman, and Mark Holtsberry; County Auditor, Claudia Fickel; County Treasurer Lou Ann Wannemacher; Lu Cooke, NOW Regional Liaison for Gov.; Brian Bauman, rep for Bob Latta; Paulding Chamber reps; and PCED board. Banquet sponsors of the evening were the following: CMS Enterprises (Northwest Ohio Wind), Paulding-Putnam Electric Co-Op, Williamson Insurance Agency, Ag Credit, Antwerp Exchange Bank, Brown & Brown Insurance, and Baughman Tile LLC.
After a delicious meal prepared by Grant’s Catering, the main speaker was introduced. Valerie Sathe Brugeman is the Sr. Project Manager of Transportation Systems Analysis Group and Industry, Labor & Economic Group at the Center for Automotive Research (CAR). Valerie joined CAR in 2007, and her work primarily revolves around the interactions between the automotive industry, communities, and advanced mobility. Valerie received her Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Spanish, also from the University of Michigan. Prior to going CAR, Valerie was employed at the Arbor Strategy Group a marketing and management consulting firm. Next, she worked at ForeSee, a website customer satisfaction market research company. She has qualitative and quantitative market research techniques. Valerie spoke to the PCED banquet guests about the vehicles of today and tomorrow – connected and automated vehicles, innovative mobility services, and electric vehicles. Even though, there have been reports that these new technologies are on the horizon for the general public in the United States, the projection is that in 2030, 70% of the population will still be using regular gassed vehicles. It will be a slower transition than the media would like us to think. Exciting times nevertheless.
Larry Manz
Up next on the agenda, the PCED director, Jerry Zielke gave a Year in Review for Paulding County with
some updates on completed projects and projects that will begin soon. Jerry then introduced PCED board President and VP, Larry Manz and Tim Copsey to speak about Marketing in Paulding County. Tim Copsey discussed with the group the problems or challenges that faces Paulding County economic development. He stated that the only constant is change, and “unless you’re living under a Paulding County flat rock, you can see the changes happening.” Some of the challenges Tim discussed were closed businesses in the small towns, unpolished Main Streets, unreliable business hours to name a few. And he posed this question to the crowd: Are We Open For Business in Paulding County? After these questions hung in the air above the guests, Larry Manz suggested some solutions to these challenges. Are we open for business? Manz asked? Let’s clean those store windows, open those doors, advertise that product. Things are happening in Paulding County.
Jim States, the PCED board treasurer, recognized the new businesses of this past year in Paulding County. New businesses were in Paulding, Antwerp, Cecil, and Oakwood. Paulding Pancake House, KB Scoops, &Junque Boutique, Barnwood Creations, Red Oaks Pet Cottage, E&R Ceramics, Dollar General (Oakwood), Antwerp Pharmacy (new owners), Antwerp Alleys LLC (new owners), and Don & Perry’s Furniture (new owners).
These new businesses should be an inspiration and encouragement to the county that YES! We are open for business! Isn’t it an exciting time to live in Small Town America?!
