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From the Desk of the Director

Before anything else, I want to wish everyone a very Happy Easter! I hope you had a beautiful holiday weekend surrounded by family, friends, and all the things that make this season so special. Whether you were able to slow down and rest or spent the day making memories with loved ones, I hope it was a wonderful one.



Now, they say March comes in like a lion — and this year it certainly went out like one too! We've had high winds, flooding, tornado warnings, and even gas leaks in our area. On March 31st, I found myself in the basement of Payne Elementary School with our PTO group as severe weather rolled through to close out the month. It has been quite a season!

But we are so hopeful that April will bring the lamb. Calmer days are ahead — and we have a wonderful reason to look forward to them. Shop the Village is slated for May 2nd, and we cannot wait! More details are included below, so keep reading.

It has been about three weeks since our last newsletter, which is unusual for us, but I think you'll understand why once you hear everything that has been going on. To say it has been a busy season would be an understatement.

It all started with a booth at the Paulding County Senior Center's Health, Business & Industry Fair. I arrived early, stayed late, and didn't sit down once — but it was worth every minute. The energy in the room was wonderful, and the connections made that day were genuinely meaningful. One highlight was meeting the team from Antwerp Manor, who has since joined the Chamber. We are so thrilled to welcome them, and you can read more about them further along in this newsletter.

The very next week, our board meeting was held on March 25th at Ritual Coffee — and we made it a special one. We partnered with Tawnya English of Memories by Tawnya Photography for professional photos, and I cannot wait to share them with our community. They are coming soon!

Also in March, we were proud to support the Kiwanis Club of Paulding's Purse Bingo event. The Chamber volunteered, donated a raffle basket, and helped promote the event — and the turnout was wonderful. All funds raised go back to supporting youth in our community, which is exactly the kind of work the Kiwanis Club does so well. We are grateful to be part of it.

And then came Saturday, March 28... We stopped by the Paulding County History Museum to soak it all in — and we are so glad we did. The museum hosted the Ohio Local History Alliance Region 1 Meeting, and guests were treated to a tour led by Kim Sutton, full of stories of Paulding County history. The museum's beautiful new kitchen is nearly finished. See a photo of it below.

But the moment that truly stood out was watching Carol Razo receive the Ohio Local History Alliance's Outstanding Achievement Award for Local History Projects. As Crane Township's fiscal officer, Carol self-funded research trips across three states to uncover the lost story of Oliver Crane. She wrote and published an entire hardcover commemorative book. She was the driving force behind a township-wide celebration that brought the whole community together. None of it happened alone — the Crane Township Trustees and Fire Department, the Friends of the Paulding Park District, and the Paulding County History Museum all played meaningful roles. But Carol's vision, passion, and tireless dedication made it all possible.

We also have some exciting news to share. The Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Paulding Progress, and we now have a dedicated page in the paper once a month for Chamber news! The first page appeared in the March 18th edition, and we are excited about this new chapter. This is currently a trial run, and if you are a reader of the Paulding Progress, we would love your feedback — your voice will help determine if this is something we continue. Let us know what you think!

And we have saved one of the most exciting announcements for last. We are thrilled to share that the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation is awarding its first ever scholarships — three local graduates will be recipients of this milestone award. This is a proud moment for our Foundation and for our community. You can find more details further along in this newsletter, or head straight to our website to learn more.



As always, thank you for your continued support of the Chamber and of our community. There is so much more to come this spring, and I am honored to be along for the ride.

Chamber booth at Paulding County Senior Center's Health, Business and Industry Fair on March 18.

The beautiful, new kitchen at the PC History Museum. It's almost finished and looks fantastic!

Shoutout to Pack 1317 and Troop 315, and to everyone who came out to support the Pinewood Derby.

Photo of Carol and Art Razo after Carol received her award. Congratulations Carol!

Congrats to Samantha Shafer for winning the Chamber’s raffle basket — we hope you love it!

Photo by Maumee Valley Network of the Chinquapin District Pinewood Derby.

Address Update: 101 E. Perry St., Paulding, OH 45879.

This year, Amrize Cement, Inc. is proud to celebrate 70 years of operations in Paulding County — a significant milestone for both the company and the community it has long called home.

The Paulding plant is a major regional producer of Portland cement and masonry materials, with an annual capacity of 500,000 metric tons serving construction markets across the Midwest. Over the decades, the facility has operated under several industry names before transitioning to the Amrize brand in 2025, following the spinoff of Holcim's North American operations into an independent company. To learn more, visit www.amrize.com

In honor of their 70th anniversary, Amrize Cement is hosting a Community Open House and welcomes the public to come and see the operation firsthand, on Friday, May 15th, 2026, at 11435 Road 176, Paulding. More details to come.

The Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce congratulates Amrize Cement on 70 years and looks forward to their continued presence in our community.

Founded in 1934, Kauser Trucking & Excavating Services has built a reputation on hard work, integrity, and dependable service. Their offerings cover a wide range of needs, including trucking, excavating, and landscaping services.

With spring here, now is a great time to start planning your outdoor projects. Need mulch, stone, or sand? Consider Kauser Trucking for your next job.

The company also supports the American Truck Historical Society through their affiliation with the Auburn Heritage Truck Chapter.

Don't miss their 25th Annual ATHS Truck Show on Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 10 AM – 3 PM at the Paulding County History Museum. Free admission, donations accepted.

Address: 850 W Harrison St, Paulding, OH 45879

Trucking & Landscaping: (419) 399-4856

Excavating: (419) 769-9969

Store Hours:

Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Saturday (seasonal): 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

To learn more, visit www.kausertrucking.com.

As a member of the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce, your membership just got even more valuable!

As the preferred payments partner of the Northwest Ohio Area Chamber of Commerce (NOACC), Aqua Leo Payments is offering Chamber members free Clover hardware — and that's not a typo.

Members can choose the Clover device that best fits their business at no upfront cost:

• Clover Duo — retail value $1,899 — FREE
• Clover Solo — retail value $1,799 — FREE
• Clover Mini — retail value $849 — FREE
• Clover Flex — retail value $799 — FREE

Each placement also includes a 4-year Clover Care warranty, so if your equipment ever goes down, you can be back up and running as soon as the next business day.

Whether you need a full POS system, a compact countertop device, or a wireless payment solution, there is an option to help your business run smarter and serve customers faster — without the upfront hardware expense. And if Clover isn't the right fit, Aqua Leo also offers other free terminal and POS options.

Beyond the equipment, members gain access to a local team ready to help with setup, training, support, and payment solutions tailored to your business.

Please note: Monthly Clover software fees vary depending on the program selected.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit aqualeo.net/schedule or call 330-298-5552.

The Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Antwerp Manor Assisted Living to our membership!

Antwerp Manor is Antwerp's premier assisted living facility, certified by the Ohio Department of Aging to provide both Basic Assisted Living services and Memory Care services. The Memory Care program offers an enhanced staffing ratio, increased therapeutic and recreational activities, safe outdoor access, and enhanced staff training.

Their caring staff provides worry-free care for residents while giving family members peace of mind knowing their loved one is receiving excellent assistance.

If you or a loved one are exploring assisted living options in the area, we encourage you to reach out to the team at Antwerp Manor.

Address: 204 Archer Drive, Antwerp, OH 45813

Phone: (419) 258-1500

Website: www.alsohio.com/antwerp-manor

We are so glad to have them as part of our Chamber family!

The Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome the Paulding Progress to our membership!

The Paulding Progress is a weekly community newspaper that has been serving Paulding County for many years. Their coverage spans local government meetings, community events, school news, sports, and the people and stories that make up everyday life in our county. Throughout the year, they also publish special interest publications highlighting topics such as high school graduating classes, sports previews, emergency responders, the county fair, local business and industry, and local history.

Their newsstand locations reach communities across the county, including Antwerp, Broughton, Cecil, Grover Hill, Hicksville, Oakwood, Paulding, Payne, Sherwood, and more — with a coverage area that extends to Haviland, Latty, Junction, and beyond.

We are glad to have the Paulding Progress as part of our Chamber community and look forward to continuing to work together to keep Paulding County informed and connected.

Address: 103 East Perry St., P.O. Box 180, Paulding, OH 45879

Local Office: (419) 399-4015

Website: www.progressnewspaper.org

Leadership in Action (LIA) is the Chamber’s leadership development program designed to deepen participants’ understanding of themselves, each other, and Paulding County — while taking meaningful action in our community.

The 2025–2026 LIA cohort includes 14 individuals committed not just to learning about local challenges, but to responding to them.



After meeting with several county organizations, this year’s class partnered with United Way of Paulding County and selected the Paulding County Senior Center as their service focus.

Supporting Transportation for Local Seniors

The Paulding County Senior Center serves approximately 4,700 residents age 60 and older — nearly one-quarter of our county’s population.

In a rural community like ours, reliable transportation is essential. Many seniors must travel to Fort Wayne or Toledo for specialized medical care. The Senior Center’s wheelchair-accessible van makes those trips possible, along with transportation to meals and activities.

To help meet increased demand, the LIA class is working with United Way to raise $26,500 toward the purchase of an additional wheelchair-accessible van. See details below to get involved.

Pistols & Purses Raffle

As part of this effort, LIA is also hosting the Pistols & Purses Raffle — giving participants the opportunity to win one of four prizes while directly supporting this important cause. Details below.

Here's a short video with more information: Why support this cause?

This is leadership in action — not just discussion, but delivery.

We hope you’ll consider joining us in supporting our local seniors.

Don’t miss your chance to win 1 of 4 great prizes in our Pistols & Purses Raffle.

Tickets are just $20 and available at:

• Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce

• Paulding County Economic Development (PCED)

• McDougall Firearms

• Paulding Ace Hardware

• Paulding County Senior Center

Can’t make it to one of these locations?

Email pauldingchamber@gmail.com and we’ll set tickets aside for you.

Every ticket purchased supports the Paulding County Senior Center’s much-needed wheelchair-accessible van — helping ensure mobility, independence, and access to care for seniors in our community.

April

• April 6 — Paulding Early Intervention Community Playgroup | Black Swamp Nature Center, 753 Fairground Dr, Paulding | 11 AM–12 PM OR 6–7 PM
• April 9 — PCED Career Day | 8 AM–12 PM
• April 11 — LifeWise Antwerp Evening of Impact Fundraiser | Grant’s Reception Hall, 503 E. Canal St., Antwerp | Doors 5:30 PM, Starts 6 PM
• April 11 — Mom-2-Mom Sale | 501 W. Townline St., Payne | 9 AM–1 PM
• April 11 — Antwerp Ball Association Spring Clean-Up Day | 10 AM
• April 16 — Kiwanis Free Lunch & Learn | Branch Christian Fellowship, 109 N. Main St., Paulding | Noon
• April 16 & 17 — Paulding SWCD Tree Sale | 451c McDonald Pike, Paulding | 9 AM–5:30 PM (Apr 16), 8 AM–4:30 PM (Apr 17)
• April 17 — Vancrest of Payne Breakfast & Bingo | 650 N Main St, Payne | 9:30 AM
• April 18 — Yacht Rock the Dock | Niswonger PAC
• April 18 — Vantage Career Center Annual 5K | Vantage Career Center, 818 N Franklin St, Van Wert | Registration 7:30 AM, Fun Run 8:30 AM, Race Start 9 AM
• April 25 — Cecil Park Cleanup Day
• April 25 — Larry Fleet: Another Year Older Tour | Niswonger PAC
• April 25 — Spring Tea at the Museum | Paulding County History Museum | 1–3 PM
• April 25 — NRA Women On Target Shooting Clinic | Antwerp Conservation Club | 9 AM

May

• May 2 — To The Limit: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute | Niswonger PAC
• May 2 — United Way Purse Bingo | Paulding Eagles, 206 W. Perry St. | 6–9 PM
• May 2 — Leadership in Action Community Lunch | Paulding County Senior Center | 11 AM–2 PM (or until sold out)
• May 2 — Shop the Village | Downtown Paulding | 9 AM–2 PM
• May 13 — LIA Pistols & Purses Raffle Drawing
• May 14 — Northwest State Community College Green Carpet Event

DEADLINES & OPPORTUNITIES

• April 6 — SWCD Tree Sale Pre-Order Deadline
• April 15 — LIA Wheelchair-Accessible Van Fundraiser | Sponsorhip Deadline
• April 22 — Chamber Foundation Scholarship Application Deadline

Cecil Park Committee Formed to Build on Community Momentum

Building on the positive momentum created during Crane Township’s bicentennial celebrations last year, local leaders have formed a committee to explore improvements to the unused park in Cecil.

Bicentennial events brought renewed energy to the community, including two sold-out performances of the play “No Compromise!”, more than 300 attendees at the main celebration event, and the return of Christmas lights in Cecil for the first time in many years. Community leaders say the park initiative is a natural next step in continuing that spirit of cooperation and community pride.

The newly formed committee includes representatives from the Village of Cecil, Crane Township, the Paulding County Park District, and local residents. The group recently held its first meeting to begin discussing potential improvements and long-term goals for the park.

A Cecil Park Cleanup Day is planned for Saturday, April 25, and residents interested in helping are encouraged to participate. Those who would like to volunteer or learn more about the project may contact Carol Razo at cranetwp@yahoo.com.

Committee members note that the project will likely be a multi-year effort, and updates will be shared as plans continue to develop.

Saturday, April 18, 2026 – Yacht Rock the Dock

Ambrosia, John Ford Coley, and Peter Beckett (The Voice of Player) unite for a night of 70s and 80s soft-rock classics and Billboard Top 40 hits, including “Baby Come Back,” “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” and “Love Is the Answer.”

Saturday, April 25, 2026 – Larry Fleet: Another Year Older Tour

Country artist Larry Fleet brings soulful vocals and heartfelt songwriting to the stage, featuring songs like “Where I Find God” and “Things I Take for Granted.”

Saturday, May 2, 2026 – To The Limit: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute

Experience the timeless harmonies and classic rock sound of The Eagles, featuring hits such as “Hotel California,” “Take It Easy,” and “Desperado.”

Tickets & Information

Niswonger Performing Arts Center Box Office: Tuesday–Friday, 10 AM–3 PM

Contact: 419-238-6722 • vanwertlive.com