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From the Desk of the Director

If it feels like we’ve been especially busy lately… it’s because we have been.

Some of that work has happened quietly behind the scenes through planning meetings, collaborations, event coordination, and new projects taking shape. Other moments have happened very publicly through ribbon cuttings, Shop the Village - Spring Edition, Leadership in Action, America 250 planning, and partnerships happening all across Paulding County.

This newsletter is packed with many of the things we’ve been working on recently… and it still only scratches the surface.

From leadership development and student community service projects to new business celebrations, community events, tourism efforts, and America 250 initiatives, there are a lot of people investing time and energy into making good things happen throughout our county right now.

We also recently selected the first ever Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Scholarship recipients. We’re currently coordinating times to meet with the students, present their awards, and capture photos before officially announcing the winners publicly… so stay tuned for that announcement soon.

Thank you for continuing to support the Chamber and stay engaged with what’s happening throughout Paulding County. There’s a lot more still to come.

Looking for a creative way to put your business, event, or organization in front of more people?

Fun Factory Promotional Products specializes in helping businesses bring their brand to life through customized promotional products and apparel.

As a full-service advertising specialties company, Fun Factory Promotional Products offers a wide variety of branded merchandise designed to help businesses market, promote, recognize employees, connect with customers, and create memorable experiences.

With access to thousands of customizable products, the possibilities are nearly endless.

Contact Information

Location: 233 Hopkins Street | Defiance, Ohio 43512

Phone: 419-784-3866

Email: info@thefunfactory.biz

Website: https://www.thefunfactory.biz/

Founded in 2003, Natural Design & Graphics has grown from a small local design business into a full-service creative agency serving more than 200 businesses, nonprofits, corporations, and government agencies.

NDG specializes in graphic design, branding, website development, marketing strategy, copywriting, SEO, social media support, and promotional materials — helping clients create cohesive, professional marketing across both print and digital platforms.

Owner and Art Director Kelly Goyings launched the company after earning her degree in graphic design and marketing from Defiance College. Today, NDG’s team brings together decades of experience in design, journalism, marketing, web development, programming, and brand strategy.

Known for their personalized service and creative approach, NDG works closely with clients from concept to completion to help businesses stand out and connect with their audience.

Contact Information

Location: 12978 Road 176, Paulding, OH 45879

Phone: (419) 399-2403

Hours: Monday–Friday | 9 AM–5 PM

Website: https://www.naturaldesignandgraphics.com/

May

• May 19 — PC Health & Wellness Connection Brunch | Antwerp Manor | 8:30–10:45 AM
• May 21 — NOCAC Housing Workshop | Paulding County Carnegie Library | 6–7 PM
• May 22–23 — Paulding Community Garage Sales
• May 22–23 — Paulding FFA Plant Sale | Paulding High School
• May 29 — Relay For Life – Paulding County

June

• June 3–Aug 26 — Classic Movie Wednesdays | Paulding County Carnegie Library | 11 AM & 4 PM
• June 5–6 — Antwerp Days | Downtown Antwerp | Parade, Live Music, Vendors, Food, Tournaments & Family Fun
• June 6 — Clint Vance Memorial Golf Outing (Habitat for Humanity) | Auglaize Golf Club
• June 6–13 — Paulding County Fair | Grandstand Events, Livestock Shows, Rides & More
• June 8–13 — Paulding County Quilt Show | Paulding County Fairgrounds | 10 AM–4 PM
• June 26 — PACC's America 250 Golf Outing | Auglaize Golf Club
• June 27 — The Band Perry | Niswonger PAC

July

• July 4 — Independence Day Celebration | Veterans Memorial Park, Payne
• July 6 — Patriotic Kiddie Parade & Candy Bar Bingo | Antwerp | 6–8 PM
• July 10 — John Paulding Summer Blast | Downtown Paulding | 5–11 PM
• July 11 — John Paulding Summer Blast Activities | Downtown Paulding | 9 AM–2 PM
• July 11 — Paulding Veterans Memorial Tour | Paulding Veterans Memorial | 1–3 PM

September

• September 6 — Oakwood Homecoming Fireworks | Oakwood Ball Park | Dusk
• September 7 — Oakwood Homecoming Parade | Downtown Oakwood | 11 AM
• September 7–Oct 31 — America 250 Corn Maze | Weller Farms | 9 AM–5 PM
• September 11 — Paulding County Fall Festival | Paulding County Fairgrounds | All Day
• September 12 — AGrow Expo | Latty Agronomy Facility
• September 13 — Puppy Pals LIVE | Niswonger PAC | 2 PM
• September 20 — 25th Annual Antique Truck Show | Paulding County History Museum | 9 AM–4 PM
• September 26 — Ohio Goes to the Movies | Paulding County Carnegie Library | 4–7:30 PM
• September 26 — NextGen Artists Workshop | PC Opportunity Center | 9 AM–2 PM

November

• November 13–21 — Festival of Trees | Paulding County History Museum | All Day
• November 15 — Darci Lynne | Niswonger PAC | 6:30 PM
• November 21 — NextGen Artists Marketplace | Downtown Paulding | 9 AM–2 PM

Deadlines & Opportunities

• June 12 — PACC's America 250 Golf Outing Registration Deadline

As America approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, efforts are already underway here in Paulding County to help commemorate the occasion in a meaningful and community-focused way.

The Paulding County Commissioners initially reached out to the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce to help bring together local organizations interested in celebrating America 250 across the county.

Since then, representatives from the Chamber, Paulding County Carnegie Library, and Community Revitalizing Paulding (CoRP) have been meeting regularly and collaborating on promotional materials and community-wide efforts connected to the celebration.

Some of the first projects currently in development include patriotic banners that will be displayed around the courthouse area, as well as special event cards highlighting America 250-themed events taking place throughout Paulding County during 2026.

The Chamber is also developing a dedicated America 250 webpage that will allow residents and visitors to view event details, access links for additional information, and receive updated schedules in real time as events are added or adjusted throughout the year.

As a special sneak peek for our newsletter readers, we’re sharing an early look at some of the promotional materials currently being developed for the countywide celebration… including event cards and banner concepts that will begin appearing throughout the community in the coming months.

Additional community banner options will become available for purchase as the project continues to grow.

More details will be released as plans continue to come together and Paulding County prepares to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

As part of the statewide America 250-Ohio celebration, all 88 Ohio counties are receiving a Heritage Tree to commemorate Ohio’s role in America’s founding and preserve local history for future generations.

Last month, Paulding County officially planted its white oak Heritage Tree on the courthouse lawn during a special community ceremony.

The event brought together Paulding FFA Chapter officers, community leaders, and the Paulding County Commissioners to mark the occasion.

One of the most meaningful moments of the ceremony was the soil presentation. FFA students collected soil from important places throughout the county—including farms, schools, parks, and other locations that help tell the story of Paulding County. Those jars of soil were combined and poured at the base of the new white oak tree, symbolizing both the county’s shared history and the future generations who will continue to shape it.

Special thanks to Anna Gurney with Soil and Water for helping organize the ceremony and bring the project to life.

The Heritage Tree planting is one of the first visible steps in Paulding County’s America 250 efforts, with additional community celebrations and projects still to come.

Some days remind you just how much good can happen when an entire community works together.

On April 30th, nearly 300 students and 25 teachers participated in a large-scale community service effort spanning 19 project sites across Cecil, Oakwood, and Paulding.

After five months of planning and coordination, students spent the day painting, mulching, landscaping, washing windows, moving furniture, unloading trucks, pulling weeds, and helping complete projects that made a visible impact throughout the community.

Projects were coordinated through a collaborative effort involving local businesses, community organizations, churches, volunteers, and school staff. From organizing lunches and securing supplies to coordinating transportation, equipment, and project sites, the day required extensive behind-the-scenes planning to bring everything together successfully.

Special thanks were extended to Shawn Brewer, James with Three Ninjas Productions, Dave Shilts with Paulding Church of the Nazarene, participating teachers, community partners, and the many volunteers who helped make the day possible.

A highlight video produced by Three Ninjas Productions is expected to be released soon and will showcase the teamwork, energy, and community spirit displayed throughout the day.

The Paulding County Carnegie Library officially held a ceremonial groundbreaking for its new Community Center project.

The project, which has been in development since 2023, was created to address a growing need for additional community space. Current programming is often limited to around 20 participants, and the new facility will allow for expanded events, educational programs, workshops, meetings, and future community uses.

The new building will be constructed on the site of the former annex and is being designed as a modern, flexible gathering space in the heart of downtown Paulding.

Supported in part by a private matching donation, the project represents a collaborative investment in the future of the community.

We’re excited to watch this project take shape… and we can’t wait for the ribbon cutting.

Last week, we celebrated the graduation of the 2025–2026 class… and what a finish it was.

Over the past nine months, participants spent time learning about leadership, communication, teamwork, community systems, and civic engagement through hands-on experiences, tours, discussions, and personal growth opportunities. Leadership in Action traces its roots back to an Ohio State University Extension community leadership initiative that studied the long-term impact of local leadership programs across Ohio counties… including Paulding County.

This year’s class didn’t just learn about leadership… they put it into action.

The group successfully reached its fundraising goal of $26,500 to help the purchase a wheelchair-accessible van that will help local seniors access meals, activities, appointments, and essential transportation services throughout the community.

Congratulations to the 2025–2026 Leadership in Action graduates:

• Erin Bustos — Stahl, Stoller, Meyer Insurance
• Luke Burkhart — Paulding Putnam
• Devon Elston — The Antwerp Exchange Bank
• Zach Gorrell — Gorrell Bros. Real Estate
• Luke Hanenkratt — Herbert E. Orr
• Blaine Hoffman — BRSW
• Corey Laukhuf — BRSW
• Erin Laukhuf — Strategence Capital
• Caleb Miller — Paulding County Sheriff’s Office
• Emily Schlegel — Midwest Community Federal Credit Union
• Stacy Schnipke — First Financial Bank
• Jessica Stechschulte — Paulding County Economic Development Office
• Tricia Taylor — Western Buckeye ESC
• Tiffany Rockhold — OhioMeansJobs Defiance & Paulding Counties (JFS)

A very special thank you goes to Lora Lyons, Director of United Way of Paulding County, for partnering with this year’s Leadership in Action class and helping coordinate sponsorship support for the Senior Center van project.

Through the combined efforts of Leadership in Action, United Way, sponsors, donors, and community supporters, the project successfully secured the funding needed to help purchase the new wheelchair-accessible van for the Paulding County Senior Center.

United Way of Paulding County reported that more than $18,100 was raised through sponsorships alone toward the project.



We would also like to sincerely thank all of the businesses, organizations, and individuals who stepped up to support this effort:

Double Platinum Sponsors

• The Big 4 LLC Schlegel

• United Way of Paulding County

• Oakwood Development

Platinum Sponsors

• Paulding Putnam

• Marlin & Associates Financial Services, LLC

• CHP Home Care & Hospice

• Midwest Community Federal Credit Union

• Paulding Eagles Aerie 2405

• Mighty Cubes and Dumpsters

• Tri-County Roofing & Home Improvement

• CORE Ministries

• The Gardens of Paulding

• Vancrest of Payne

• ISPN

• PASS

Gold Sponsors

• Clemens Mobile Welding / JLC Transportation

• Cook & Gorrell

• Wenninger Seed Service Inc.

• Herbert E. ORR Company

• Kauser Trucking

• New American Reel Company (NARCO)

Silver Sponsors

• Elite Embroidery

• Innovative Assembly Services LLC

• Dilly Door Co

• Sally Voirol

• George and Beth Scheiner

• Douglas & Joyce Laukhuf

Bronze Sponsors

• Jennifer Ramsier

• Stan & Barb Searing

• Mansfield Welding Service, LLC

• David Nizen

This project truly became a community effort, and the impact of this van will continue serving local seniors for years to come.

Support Local Business. Support Local Impact.

The Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the America 250 Golf Outing on Friday, June 26, 2026 at Auglaize Golf Club.

More than just a day on the golf course, this event helps support the Chamber’s mission of strengthening local businesses, building community connections, and creating opportunities that help Paulding County grow and thrive.

Funds raised through Chamber events help support community programming, business promotion, networking opportunities, leadership development initiatives, tourism efforts, and events that bring people into our local communities. When businesses succeed, the entire county benefits.

The golf outing is also a chance for businesses, organizations, and community members to connect in a relaxed and fun environment while celebrating America 250 together. From team camaraderie and sponsor visibility to games, prizes, and networking, the outing is designed to bring the business community together in a meaningful way.

The Chamber encourages local businesses and residents to participate by registering a team, sponsoring a hole, donating raffle prizes, or simply helping spread the word.

Community support makes these events possible — and every registration, sponsorship, and partnership helps strengthen the work being done across Paulding County.

Register your team or sponsorship here: Paulding Chamber's America 250 Golf Outing Registration Form

Or print the form below and send it to 101 E. Perry St., Paulding, OH 45879.

We had the opportunity to celebrate a major milestone with Amrize’s Paulding location as they marked 70 years in our community.

The event included a ribbon cutting for the launch of their new “Made in America” cement label… a commitment to American manufacturing, American quality, and support for American jobs and local communities.

For seven decades, the Paulding plant has played an important role in our local economy and workforce, and it was an honor to help celebrate both their history and their continued investment in the future.



Congratulations to the entire Amrize team on 70 years in Paulding County and this exciting new chapter.

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 NextGen Artisans program is returning for 2026, and student registration is now officially open.

This FREE program gives K-12 Paulding County students — including public school, homeschool, Vantage Career Center, and Divine Mercy Catholic School students — the opportunity to learn from experienced artists, build confidence, and showcase their work in a supportive community environment.

Only 36 student spots are available this year, so early registration is encouraged.

For registration details and program information, visit: NextGen Artists Info and Registration

Questions? Contact: pauldingchamber@gmail.com

Caring & Sharing Food Pantry is growing and now serves four times as many people as it did in 2021. To help meet that growing need, they are hiring a part-time Executive Director.

This new role will focus on fundraising, financial operations, facilities management, donor and community relations, and helping expand future services as they continue fighting food insecurity in Paulding County.

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@caresharepantry.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

For full details and the original post, visit their Facebook announcement here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GqdpGxDYr/

The Band Perry

Saturday, June 27, 2026

A high-energy night of country hits including If I Die Young, Better Dig Two, and more.

Puppy Pals LIVE

Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 2:00 PM

A family favorite returns with high-flying tricks and fun for all ages.

Darci Lynne

Sunday, November 15, 2026 | 6:30 PM

Comedy and ventriloquism from one of America’s most talented young performers.

Tickets & Information

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

Contact: 419-238-6722 • vanwertlive.com

Antwerp Days 2026 returns June 5–6 with live entertainment, great food, shopping, tournaments, family activities, vendors, community events, and one of the area’s favorite small-town summer atmospheres.

Saturday Night Headliner

REkT will take the main stage Saturday night from 8–11 PM, bringing a high-energy live show to close out the weekend.

2026 Antwerp Days Parade

Saturday, June 6 | 10:30 AM

This year’s parade theme is “Game Day Rally,” so expect jerseys, pom-poms, school spirit, tailgate vibes, and plenty of community energy filling the streets of Antwerp.

The parade route begins at Antwerp School, travels down Canal Street to Main Street, and ends at the Manor House.

Tournaments & Activities

The Antwerp Days Washer Tournament returns Saturday afternoon at the VFW Pavilion with double-elimination competition and cash payouts.

New this year… a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament at the Antwerp Community Ballpark basketball courts featuring youth and adult divisions.

Vendors & Shopping

Local crafters, makers, and home-based businesses will be set up throughout the event offering unique products, handmade goods, gifts, food, and more.

Interested in becoming a vendor or entering the parade? The Antwerp Community Development Committee is currently accepting registrations.

Make plans now to spend the weekend in Antwerp for one of Northwest Ohio’s favorite summer community celebrations.

5th annual AGrow Expo on Saturday, September 12th at our Latty Agronomy facility!

14170 State Route 613, Paulding, OH 45879

Local Makers Market

2:00 - 5:00 PM

*Support your local makers + handcrafters. From sweets and fresh produce to woodworking and accessories, there will be something for everyone! Click here to sign up to be a vendor: AGrowExpo.com/vendorsignup

Food Trucks

2:00 - 8:00 PM

Cruise In

2:00 - 6:00 PM

*Vehicles can begin arriving at 1:00 PM. Door prizes, contests and dash plaques for the first 25 entries to arrive.

FREE Kids Activities & Rides

3:00 - 8:00 PM

Kiddie Tractor Pulls

4:30 PM

FREE Live Music by Tesa Marie Music

4:00 - 8:00 PM

Visit AGrowExpo.com to learn more about the event!