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From the Desk of the Director

If this newsletter feels a little later than usual, I promise there’s a good reason.

The last few weeks have been full of the kind of work that reminds you just how much is happening in Paulding County. Between Leadership in Action sessions, planning graduation, and helping our LIA class push forward on their Senior Center service project, there has been a lot happening behind the scenes. Their goal of helping fund a wheelchair-accessible van for local seniors continues to gain momentum, and it’s been exciting to watch the community step up through fundraisers like Beer Barrel, our upcoming Community Lunch, and the Pistols & Purses Raffle. Click here to read more.

We’ve also celebrated new business growth with Bokos Ice Cream Co.’s ribbon cutting and are preparing for Amrize’s 70th Anniversary Open House and Ribbon Cutting on May 15—two very different businesses, but both great examples of investment in our community.

At the same time, we’re preparing for Community Cleanup Day, Shop the Village: Spring Edition, and continuing to grow tools like our Community Calendar to help people stay connected and informed.

One thing I’m especially excited about is the early planning for America 250 – Paulding County. We’re just getting started, but there are some meaningful ideas in motion to help celebrate our history, our people, and the future of our community. I’m looking forward to sharing more as those plans come together.

We also have our first-ever Travel with the Chamber trip heading to Ireland this June, Chamber Foundation scholarships being awarded in May, and conversations already starting about where we should go next. Have any thoughts on a great group trip? Email the Chamber at pauldingchamber@gmail.com.

Some seasons feel slower. This one definitely isn’t one of them.

Thank you for your patience, your support, and for continuing to stay involved. There is a lot of good happening here, and I’m grateful to be part of it.

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

Leadership in Action Class of 2026

Picture below from back (L-R): Luke Burkhart, Devon Elston, Emily Schlegel, Jill Strahley (LIA Facilitator), Blaine Hoffman, and Zach Gorrell. From front (L-R): Tricia Taylor, Luke Hanenkratt, Stacy Schnipke, Tiffany Rockhold, Erin Laukhuf, Caleb Miller, and Jessica Stechschulte. Not pictured: Corey Laukhuf and Erin Bustos. Photo Credit: Memories by Tawnya Photography

With planting season coming up soon, we wanted to start highlighting some of our agriculture community members—and AgCredit is a great place to start.

AgCredit is a member-owned cooperative lender serving more than 7,900 members across 18 counties in northwest and central Ohio. Built around the idea that customers are also owners, AgCredit returns profits back to its members through its patronage program—distributing $22 million in 2026.

They continue to invest in the communities they serve as well, providing $135,000 in grants in 2025.

As part of the Farm Credit System, AgCredit combines local relationships with the strength of a nationwide network, helping support farmers and rural businesses through every season.

We appreciate AgCredit’s continued investment in agriculture and the role they play in supporting our local farming community.

Paulding Branch

839 N Williams St, Paulding, OH 45879

Phone: 419-238-6838

Website: https://www.agcredit.net/

Arend Brothers, Inc. is a multigenerational farm that has been part of the Paulding County agriculture community since 1979.

Arend Brothers, Inc. represents the kind of long-standing commitment and tradition that continues to shape our local economy and way of life.

We’re grateful for businesses like Arend Brothers, Inc. that not only carry on that legacy, but also support the Chamber’s mission and the broader Paulding County community.

Arend Brothers, Inc.

14743 Road 126, Paulding, OH 45879

Today, Paulding County joined Ohio’s America 250 celebration with the planting of its Heritage Tree on the courthouse lawn.

Paulding FFA Chapter Officers, Paulding County Commissioners, and community leaders came together to plant a white oak tree—part of a statewide effort to place one Heritage Tree in each of Ohio’s 88 counties.

A special thank you goes to Anna Gurney with the Paulding Soil and Water Conservation District for coordinating the planting and organizing such a meaningful ceremony for our community.

One of the most memorable parts of the event was the soil presentation, where FFA students brought soil from important places across the county to be poured at the base of the tree, symbolizing our shared roots and future growth.

This is just the beginning of Paulding County’s efforts to honor America 250, with more community celebrations and projects still to come.

We recently had the chance to celebrate Bokos Ice Cream Co. with an official ribbon cutting—and it was a fun one.

Bokos is a new events-based food trailer offering ice cream and sweet treats for festivals, parties, school events, and celebrations. It’s family-owned, community-focused, and a great addition to our local business scene.

It’s always exciting to see someone take an idea and turn it into something real, and that’s exactly what this represents.

To book Bokos Ice Cream Co., call or text 419-786-8341 or follow them on Facebook and Instagram at @bokosicecream.

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 County Health & Wellness Connection Brunch is happening May 19 at Antwerp Manor.

Hosted by the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce, Antwerp Chamber, Community Health Professionals, and Antwerp Manor Assisted Living, this event is designed to bring together businesses that serve the health and wellness space for meaningful B2B networking.

That includes healthcare providers—but also catering, banking, accounting, insurance, floral services, waste management, office services, and more.

The morning includes coffee, light breakfast, Singo Bingo, speed networking, and open networking.

Participation is limited to 50 attendees to keep the experience valuable and intentional.

Interested in attending? Submit your interest by May 1 using this form: https://forms.gle/LsaMZSCLL4mxEAtr6

Accepted participants will be notified by May 8.

What’s on the ballot? On May 5, you’ll see a levy from Paulding Exempted Village Schools.

What it is:

• 0.75% income tax
• Funds buildings, buses, equipment, maintenance

What it’s not:

• Not a property tax
• Not used for salaries

There’s been a lot of conversation around this—take a few minutes to look into it and understand what’s being proposed.

As a Chamber, we care about the future of this community and want to encourage the public to stay informed and engaged through voting,

volunteering, or getting involved in ways that make a difference.

Learn more: https://www.pauldingschools.org/income-tax-levy

Election information: https://www.boe.ohio.gov/paulding/

May

• May 2 — To The Limit: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute | Niswonger PAC
• May 2 — United Way Purse Bingo | Paulding Eagles | 6–9 PM
• May 2 — Leadership in Action Community Lunch | Paulding County Senior Center | 11 AM–2 PM
• May 2 — Shop the Village (Spring Edition) | Downtown Paulding | 9 AM–2 PM
• May 5 — Cinco de Mayo Specials | Fiesta Habaneros Mex Grill
• May 5 — Cinco de Mayo Community Lunch | Antwerp Manor | 12–1 PM
• May 8–9 — Paulding FFA Plant Sale | Paulding High School
• May 9 — Mother’s Day Brunch | OSU Extension Building | 9 AM–12 PM
• May 9 — Northwest State Community College Commencement | Founder’s Hall (Archbold) | 2 PM
• May 13 — LIA Pistols & Purses Raffle Drawing
• May 13 — Chamber Foundation Scholarship Announcements
• May 14 — Northwest State Community College Green Carpet Event
• May 15 — Amrize 70th Anniversary Open House & Ribbon Cutting | 10 AM–3 PM
• May 15–16 — Paulding FFA Plant Sale | Paulding High School
• May 19 — PC Health & Wellness Connection Brunch | Antwerp Manor | 8:30–10:45 AM
• May 22–23 — Paulding Community Garage Sales
• May 22–23 — Paulding FFA Plant Sale | Paulding High School

June

• June 6 — Clint Vance Memorial Golf Outing (Habitat for Humanity) | Auglaize Golf Club | Registration 8 AM | Shotgun Start 9 AM
• June 8–13 — Paulding County Quilt Show | Paulding County Fairgrounds | 10 AM–4 PM
• June 27 — The Band Perry | Niswonger PAC

Deadlines & Opportunities

• May 1 — Health & Wellness Connection Brunch Interest Deadline
• May 13 — Chamber Foundation Scholarship Recipients Announced
• May 16 — Paulding Community Garage Sale Registration Deadline (guarantees map listing)

Northwest State Community College will host its Spring Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Founder’s Hall in Archbold.

A total of 228 students will be recognized, earning 253 degrees and certificates. NSCC President Dr. Todd Hernandez will welcome graduates, with Senator Jane Timken (Ohio Senate, District 29) delivering the commencement address.

The ceremony will be held in person, with a livestream available on the college’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend. YouTube.com/user/NorthwestStateCC

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/

To The Limit: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Classic Eagles hits like Hotel California, Take It Easy, and Desperado brought to life on stage.

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