The Paulding County Vision Board is a 501c3 Non-profit organization comprised of local representatives from each village and township in Paulding County, as well as the Paulding County Area Foundation, Paulding County Chamber of Commerce, Paulding County Economic Development, Paulding County Commissioners, Paulding County Parks Board and several at large members who all worked collaboratively work to improve Paulding County. Together they put together a grant application for the Capital Budget Grant which would help fund multiple projects throughout the county.
Through this process the Vision Board was able to secure $89,500 in grant dollars to support three separate projects. This round of funding is a 50% matching grant, which means that each of three projects supported under this grant will need to raise the other half of the funds themselves, essentially another $89,500, making the grand total of $179,000 in funds to be invested.
$50,000- Lela McGuire Jeffery Park
The Village of Paulding received $50,000 for the construction of a playground at Lela McGuire Jeffery Park. Another $25,000 has been pledged by Kiwanis of Paulding County, who, alongside the Village of Paulding is spearheading the project. The Kiwanis of Paulding County committed to raising the remaining $25,000, making the total budget for the playground $100,000.
$25,000 –Paulding County Ag Society
The Paulding County Ag Society received $25,000 for lighting improvements at the Paulding County Fair Grounds. This project is estimated to cost $50,000.
$14,500 –Paulding County Park District
The final project awarded was the Paulding County Park District which received $14,500 to install a new floating pier and improve access to the Auglaize River. These funds will also be used to install swings overlooking the Maumee River near Cecil. This project is estimated to cost $29,000
Paulding County Vision Board Recap:
Since the creation of the Vision Board in 2016 the Paulding County representatives have worked hard to develop committees to identify key areas of need and create strategic plans for those needs. In order to do this the Vision Board needed hard data. In 2019 the PCVB was able to complete a Housing Study that was funded separately by the Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative. This study provided valuable insight into the needs of Paulding County and providing a guide post on which the Vision Board needed to focus on. Through the study the Vision Board identified four areas of focus: Transportation, Economic Development, Housing, and Quality of Life.
Transportation
In November of 2021 Paulding County created its first transportation committee called the Paulding County Coordinated Plan through Northwest Ohio Mobility, a division of Maumee Valley Planning Organization. This committee is comprised of 15 different representatives strategically chosen from organizations within Paulding County. Currently this committee just completed taking public input to see where the biggest needs in the county are.
Economic Development
The areas of need under economic development included: Increase employment growth and investment, Retain and support existing businesses and workforce, attract new businesses and workforce, enhance communications. Through our meetings, representatives are learning about different resources that are available and sharing information on grants or funding opportunities towards infrastructure and economic growth.
Housing
Through the study initially conducted by the Vision Board, it was apparent that housing is a growing need for our community. Much like other counties, this area is the most difficult as there are limited resources for housing and it relies heavily on solid infrastructure and development. Currently the Vision Board has focused more on infrastructure to ensure we have the right elements in place to begin addressing the housing needs.
Quality of Life
The Quality of Life committee’s primary goals are to enhance recreational, cultural and essential amenities; support and enhance beautification efforts, address drug abuse issues, minimize poverty.
In 2019 the Vision Board received $37,222 Capital Budget Grant dollars to support 4 different projects around the county to improve quality of life, including:
• $20,500 -Village of Payne: for the creation of Buckeye Park
• $4,124 – Village of Broughton: Playground
• $6,860 – Melrose Park Renovation – Replacement of mulch and installation of security cameras
• $5,598 -Grover Hill: installation of New playground equipment at Welcome Park
Also, in 2020, through a donation provided by ADP Renewables, the Vision Board provided $22,000 in grants to the Villages in Paulding County to put towards beautification. Under this grant process, these projects were completed:
• $5,000 – Grover Hill – playground equipment at the Welcome Park
• $5,000 – Village of Broughton –creation of the pavilion
• $5,000 – Paulding Soccer Club – towards the new soccer complex
• $2,000 – Paulding Park District – picnic tables
• $1,000 – Village of Antwerp – creation of the River Kiosk
• $1,000 – Village of Payne – 4 large planters for downtown
• $1,000 – Village of Latty – towards the Village Hall Sign
• $1,000 – Village of Scott- towards the ball field
• $1,000 – Village of Melrose- Veterans Flags
In summary the Paulding County Vision Board has been able to invest over $148,000 into the county and are only just beginning. Already the committee is looking towards the next funding phases and the analyzing the most vital needs of the county. You can help by donating to the Paulding County Vision Board. Please make checks payable to the Paulding County Area Foundation and mail your donation to 101 E Perry St, Paulding, OH 45879.
