Grant’s Catering in Antwerp was the place to be for business networking in Paulding County on Thursday night. With approximately 150 in attendance, Paulding County Economic Development’s office hosted its 21st Annual Business & Industry Appreciation Banquet on November 9, 2021. The evening began with cocktails & hors d’oeuvres — giving business associates of neighboring businesses an intentional occasion to network outside the office space and time; this small talk time was followed by a delightful dinner by Grant’s.
After dinner, Diamond members (Union Bank and Premier Bank) were recognized for their exceptional support of PCED. Klint Manz of Union Bank spoke of their new presence in Paulding. New businesses were also recognized — Auglaize Canoe & Kayak, Brown Made Media, Grounded Coffee & Crumbs, Keepsake Beads by EAW, and MySports.LIVE. Brown Made Media, Keepsake Beads by EAW, and MySports.LIVE all took to the podium to give a short infomercial about what they bring to Paulding County. Grounded Coffee & Crumbs provided cookie table favors for all in attendance.
Director, Tim Copsey gave the banquet attendees a Year in Review of Paulding County Economic Development. With this being Copsey’s first full year flying solo in this position, he spoke of the struggles of 2020 and how his ardent drive to grow & develop Paulding County was not deterred even with the slow down from the pandemic. In fact it gave him and the office time to take a breath and refocus. New businesses still were developed, buildings were renovated, and projects were secured. With Copsey’s weekly email blasts, PCED members are always kept up to date with the latest projects, funding opportunities, and he always has a running list of Help Wanteds for businesses to share with employees and friends. Plus, Copsey had the addition to his staff in Kristen Schilt as the Office Manager. She kept the transitions running smoothly all evening.
According to the Annual Report, over $46,663,000 was invested into Paulding County in 2021!!! Of that amount, there were 8 COVID Crisis Fund recipients, 16 media press releases, 19 new housing starts, 27 commercial property sales, and 70 new PCED members. Small businesses contributed $21,300 to PCED; financial institutions $16,470; Community/State organizations, $8,725; Manufacturing, $7600; Utility, $3,600; Agriculture, $3,175; Development/Engineering, $2,200; Personal, $2,199; Health/Hygiene, $1,925; Design & Media, $800.
Copsey stated that the office’s latest venture is how to market Paulding County to the world. He then let the night’s guests preview an ad campaign compiled by Brown Made Media as a video infomercial about all Paulding County has to offer — from its industry, to farming, to small businesses, to history, to schools, to community. Good things come out of Paulding County!
