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From the Desk of the Director

As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Paulding County is coming together to celebrate. A group of local organizations — including the Chamber, County Commissioners, Community Revitalizing Paulding, the Carnegie Library, and the County Engineer's Office — are coordinating a countywide America 250 events calendar. If your organization is planning a public event that honors this milestone, we want to hear from you! Submit your event by March 27 to be included in printed materials and our dedicated America 250 events page. Submit your event here.

Big news for Paulding County — and it is the kind of news that has a ripple effect. The Village of Antwerp has been awarded a $2.3 million grant to support the development of 345 workforce housing units. We are talking new roadways, drainage systems, sanitary sewer lines, and water infrastructure — the kind of foundational investment that makes a community ready to grow. Single-family homes, duplexes, and multifamily units are all part of the plan, and Antwerp has gone the extra mile by establishing a Priority Workforce Housing District and eliminating development fees to keep things moving.

This project is directly tied to the workforce demand being created by First Quality Tissue's investment in Defiance — and that means workers need places to live, and Paulding County is stepping up to meet that need. When our neighbors thrive, our businesses feel it. More residents means more customers, more families, and more reasons to invest right here at home. This is exactly the kind of momentum we love to see, and the Chamber will continue to champion the conditions that make growth like this possible.

The Chamber has also been busy behind the scenes. We have partnered with Natural Design and Graphics to create a digital guide designed to help workers and newcomers find everything Paulding County has to offer — from the hidden gems to the everyday essentials. With workers arriving in our area for extended stays of 18 to 24 months, we want to make sure they feel at home and that our local businesses get in front of new faces. We are excited to share more details as the guide comes together — stay tuned!

This Wednesday, our Leadership in Action group heads out for a busy day of site visits to Amrize, Systech, and Gerken Aggregates. This group has been putting in the work — and not just in the classroom. They have taken on a meaningful service project and are raising funds for a wheelchair-accessible van for the Paulding County Senior Center. They even created a short video sharing the heart behind why they chose this cause. It is worth two minutes of your time. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/b1_vFmqnRMg

Last Saturday we stopped by The FUEL Bar to grab a drink and celebrate their rebrand launch — and we are so glad we did. The energy in that place was contagious, the drinks were delicious, and Sarah's sign said everything we needed to hear. Paulding County is a growing community. Days like Saturday are proof of that. The FUEL Bar is one of two new Chamber members we are thrilled to welcome this month — Caring & Sharing Food Pantry has also joined the family, and both are doing incredible things for this community. You can read more about both of them later in this newsletter.

In two recent conversations, I mentioned that the Chamber runs entirely on memberships and sponsorships — no tax dollars — and both times, the person had no idea. That told me I need to say it louder and more often. Over a third of our members are small businesses with 10 or fewer employees. Many are nonprofits, solo operators, and community organizations investing as little as $175 a year — less than $15 a month. None of it is flashy. All of it adds up. And together, those investments are what allow us to show up for this community every single week.

We are a small but mighty team. With more members, we could do more. More staff. More programming. More ways to serve our businesses and our community. Growth in our membership is not just good for the Chamber — it is good for every business and organization in Paulding County. If you have been on the fence, now is a great time to get off it. And if you are already a member, did you know you can upgrade your investment by becoming a sponsor? Sponsorship is a great way to increase your visibility while directly supporting the work we do together. If you would like to learn more about membership or sponsorship opportunities, reach out to us directly or learn more here.

To every member, every sponsor, and every individual who shows up for this community and supports what we do — thank you. None of this happens without you, and we do not take that for granted.

Photo at The FUEL Bar rebrand launch. From left: Willow Sheets, Chasidy Strable, and Sarah Sheets — with Roz keeping the drinks flowing in the back. We love Paulding County too, and we love that you're here!

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

Solid Ground LLC started with nothing more than a push mower in the trunk of a car — and has grown into the leading landscaping company in Paulding and Defiance Counties. Owner Brian Shuherk and his team offer a full range of residential and commercial services including lawn care, irrigation systems, landscape design, sod installation, paver patios, snow removal, and landscape lighting. With over two decades of experience and a BBB A+ rating, Solid Ground has built its reputation on attention to detail and a strong work ethic. With spring right around the corner, now is the perfect time to get on their schedule!

Phone: (419) 769-0927

Location: 702 Partridge Place, Paulding, OH 45879

Website: solidgroundllc.com

If your kitchen or bathroom is overdue for a refresh, look no further than Gamble Home Improvements, LLC — a locally owned and operated interior home improvement company serving Paulding County. Owner Drey Gamble and his team specialize in kitchen and bathroom renovations, with services ranging from tile and flooring to drywall, cabinet installation, and more. With a BBB A+ rating and a philosophy built on honesty, integrity, and transparency, Gamble Home Improvements treats every project as if it were their own home. Whether you're dreaming of a small update or a full-scale remodel, they have the expertise to bring your vision to life.

Phone: (419) 670-8298

Email: gamblehomeimprove@gmail.com

Website: gamblehomeimprovements.com

We are so proud to welcome Caring & Sharing Food Pantry as the newest member of the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce!

A few weeks ago, Chamber staff had the privilege of sitting down with board president Dan Bulau, and we left that conversation more grateful than ever for the work this organization does quietly and consistently for our neighbors. Caring & Sharing exists for one simple reason — to make sure no one in Paulding County goes without food.

Here's how they serve our community:

• Open Wednesdays & Saturdays, 9 AM – Noon
• Located at 318 N. Walnut Street, Paulding
• Each household can visit twice per month and receive about three days' worth of food per visit
• New clients simply need to show a state-issued ID and proof of Paulding County residency

ALSO... Don't miss their Sweet Shop fundraiser!

Thursday, March 26 | 4:30 – 6:30 PM

St. Paul Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall

601 Flatrock Drive, Paulding

50+ handmade items including chocolate-dipped treats, cupcakes, pies, cinnamon rolls, and cookies — all proceeds benefit the pantry.

Caring & Sharing Food Pantry

318 N. Walnut Street, Paulding, OH

(419) 399-9562

info@caresharepantry.org

Follow them on social media: Caring & Sharing Food Pantry

Please join us in welcoming The FUEL Bar to the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce!

Located at 108 N. Williams Street in Paulding, The FUEL Bar is under the exciting new ownership of Sarah and Brett Sheets — a family deeply rooted in health, wellness, and community. The Sheets family also owns The Well, Nuts & Bolts Nutrition, and Daily Dose in Convoy, and they are bringing that same passion and expertise right here to Paulding.

What The FUEL Bar is all about:

• Sugar-free, healthy food and drink options
• Nutrition education and wellness resources
• Workout classes and community workshops
• Catering and pop-up vendor opportunities for local fundraisers



You'll find Sarah and her family in the shop on Mondays, Wednesdays, and select Saturdays, and the warm and friendly Chasidy and Roz Strable are there Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and select Saturdays. No matter when you stop in, you're guaranteed a welcoming face and good energy.

The Sheets family brings not just business experience but genuine community spirit, and we are so thrilled to have them as part of the Chamber family.

The FUEL Bar

108 N. Williams Street, Paulding, OH 45879

Hours: Mon – Fri | 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM Saturday | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Follow them on social media: The FUEL Bar

This Week

• March 11 — Lenten Community Lunch | First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall | 12–1 PM (hosted by St. Paul Lutheran Church)
• March 12 — Pop Culture Trivia Night | Hop's Place, 518 Erie, Antwerp | 6 PM | $30/team
• March 13 — Knights of Columbus Fish Fry | 9907 US 127, Paulding | Lunch 11–1 PM, Dinner 4–7 PM (also March 20 & 27)
• March 13 — Oakwood Elementary PTO Carnival | 5:30–8 PM
• March 14 — Antwerp Rotary Steak Fry | Paulding Eagles, 206 W. Perry St. | 5–7 PM | $25 donation

March

• March 15 — Mamma Mania: American Tribute to ABBA | Niswonger PAC | 3 PM
• March 18 — Health, Business & Industry Fair | Paulding County Extension Building | 11 AM–2 PM
• March 19 — Resources for Small Businesses Luncheon | University of Findlay, Jebbett Room | 11:30 AM–1 PM
• March 20 — The Isaacs | Niswonger PAC | 7:30 PM
• March 20 & 21 — Paulding High School Drama: Mamma Mia! | 7 PM | $8 presale / $10 door
• March 21 — Kiwanis Purse Bingo | OSU Extension, 503 Fairground Dr | Doors 10 AM, Games 11 AM | $50/ticket
• March 21 — Oakwood Fire Dept. Annual Fish Fry | 4–7 PM
• March 25 — Lenten Community Lunch (final) | First Presbyterian | 12–1 PM (hosted by United Methodist Church)
• March 26 — Caring & Sharing Sweet Shop Fundraiser | St. Paul Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 601 Flatrock Drive | 4:30–6:30 PM
• March 26 — NSCC Ag Grows Here Open House | Northwest State Community College, Archbold | 3–6 PM
• March 27 — Knights of Columbus Fish Fry (final) | 9907 US 127 | Lunch 11–1, Dinner 4–7
• March 28 — 3rd Annual Black Swamp Bash | Pin-A-Rama, Hop's Place, The Upper Nine | $120/2-person team
• March 28 — Antwerp Conservation Club Easter Egg Hunt | 17814 Twp Rd 53, Antwerp | 1 PM

April

• April 3 & 4 — 46th Annual 24-Hour Basketball Marathon for P.A.S.S. | Payne Elementary Gym | Starts ~5 PM Friday
• April 4 — Easter on the Farm | 2–4 PM (kids must register — almost sold out)
• April 4 — Payne Easter Egg Hunt | Payne Community Park | 12 PM (hosted by Payne Ministerial Association)
• April 9 — PC 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 | Payne Elementary Gym, 501 W. Townline St. | 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 18 — Yacht Rock the Dock | Niswonger PAC
• April 25 — Cecil Park Cleanup Day (contact Carol Razo at cranetwp@yahoo.com)
• April 25 — Larry Fleet: Another Year Older Tour | Niswonger PAC
• April 25 — Spring Tea at the Museum | Paulding County History Museum (table hostesses needed — text 419-769-3993)
• April 25 — NRA Women On Target Shooting Clinic | Antwerp Conservation Club | 9 AM | Free, limited to 20

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 | $30/ticket
• May 13 — LIA Pistols & Purses Raffle Drawing

DEADLINES & OPPORTUNITIES

• March 13 — 46th Annual Basketball Marathon for P.A.S.S. | Entry Deadline
• March 27 — America 250 Event Submission Deadline
• March 27 — Paulding County Special Olympics Young Athletes | Registration Deadline (text Kaleigh at 419-670-8719)
• March 30 — America's Field Trip Contest | Student Submission Deadline
• March 31 — T-Mobile Hometown Grants | Application Deadline
• April 1 — LifeWise Evening of Impact | RSVP Deadline (419-670-3159)
• April 6 — SWCD Tree Sale Pre-Order Deadline
• April 10 — Paulding County Area Foundation Scholarships | Deadline
• April 15 — LIA Wheelchair-Accessible Van Fundraiser | Donation 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.

Knights of Columbus Council 2250 Fish Frys are back!

March 13, 20 & 27

Lunch 11am–1pm | Dinner 4pm–7pm

Knights of Columbus Hall, 9907 US 127, Paulding

Dine-in or carry-out available. Serving Alaskan Pollock with 2, 3, or 5-piece meals (choice of baked beans or corn, fries or baked potato, dinner roll & cole slaw). Also available: fish by the pound, fries by the boat, and cole slaw by the pint.

Call ahead for lunch only: 567-808-2800

A Paulding tradition — bring your coworkers for lunch or the family for dinner!

Energy buying doesn’t have to be complicated.

We make energy supply straightforward, efficient, and easy to manage—so you can focus on running your business.

Start with a free, no-obligation energy bill review: https://chamberenergyprogram.com

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.

Imagine Every Paulding County Kid Experiencing Live Theatre

Just one county over, something really special happened on March 4th. The Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert welcomed the entire student body of Van Wert Elementary School for a live, professional performance of Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical — many of them experiencing live theatre for the very first time.

The event was part of Van Wert LIVE's brand-new Encore: Arts Education program, an initiative built specifically to bring live arts experiences to students during the school day. It was funded in part by the Ohio Arts Council and made possible locally through a sponsorship from Jeffery-Mohr Dentistry.

Van Wert Elementary Principal Justin Krogman said it best: "Many of our students will never get to experience a musical or any type of event at the Performing Arts Center beyond school performances. I truly hope we can coordinate more in the future."

Here's why this matters for Paulding County schools:

The Niswonger isn't just for Van Wert — and Van Wert LIVE is actively looking to grow the Encore: Arts Education program by expanding partnerships with schools and community sponsors across the region. That means our schools could be next. Paulding County students could have the same opportunity to pile into a professional performing arts venue, see a live musical, and walk away with an experience they'll never forget — all during the school day.

All it takes is a conversation, a willing school, and community sponsors who believe in investing in our kids.

If you're an educator, school administrator, or local business interested in helping bring this kind of experience to Paulding County students, reach out to Van Wert LIVE at VANWERTLIVE.COM or call their box office Tuesday–Friday, 10 AM–3 PM at 419-238-6722.

Sunday, March 15, 2026 – Mamma Mania: The American Tribute to ABBA

A high-energy tribute filled with ABBA’s biggest hits, iconic harmonies, and feel-good nostalgia. Perfect for fans who love to sing along.

Friday, March 20, 2026 – The Isaacs

Award-winning, Grand Ole Opry–favorite family band The Isaacs bring their signature blend of gospel, country, bluegrass, and Americana to Van Wert. Known for heartfelt songs and breathtaking harmonies, this long-awaited performance marks a special return to the Niswonger stage.

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