The Paulding County Vision Board met on May 24th to discuss how to improve Paulding County to citizens and village leaders. Dave Burtch is the planning manager commissioned with compiling a vision for Paulding County Development to the Paulding County Vision Board. Dave gave an introduction about Hamilton Ohio and how it changed after a large business pulled out and the town was devastated. The town’s people decided to make a big difference with collaboration and changed the atmosphere, employment and much more to make the town a completely different place.
Kieth West spoke for Antwerp Village and spoke about the issues facing Antwerp and the goals of Antwerp including getting a grocery store.
John Dagger spoke for Broughton and mentioned what is going on there and spoke about their goals and projects. He said this was the first time they have had goals. He said they are looking for sidewalks and bike/walking paths. They are also looking for help with housing, slum and blight. There is also Public Works improvements, road improvements, playground near the Town Hall. They are also looking to get heat in the Town Hall.
Gene Sheets is the mayor of Cecil and he said he is trying to get neighbors to care about their properties, making them more presentable than they are at present. Several empty houses are there and he would like to get them built up or removed. If they can get them built up, then he would like to get them connected to City utilities.
John Moon is the mayor of Grover Hill and the spoke on what the village needed. They are trying to stop the flooding on the east side of town. They are attempting to deal with the rundown homes and properties in the village. They are looking at how to do this and also to be bring new businesses in this town, and all of the towns. They are also making improvements to the park by working with the Lions Club. Construction of a community building for crowds is a serious plan which would be very helpful since building space is a problem for larger meetings. They would also like to get grants for job growth and planning. Moon mentioned that they are working with Maumee Valley Planning Organization to replace the septic system which has been marked as a failed system by the EPA. He would also like to encourage the youth to get involved and create business and get involved with community development. The drug problem is also something they are trying to tackle, but it seems to be inundating at this time.
Zoe McMaster spoke for the Village of Latty. They are looking to increase business and industry, while addressing infrastructure issues.
Zoe also spoke for Payne is trying to increase residents and population. They have a very aged utility infrastructure. A waterline extension and replacement along with sidewalks is also on the agenda.
Jim States serves on the Vision Board and he is working for Melrose to get roads, blighted properties and police protection addressed. There are water and sewer needs they are working on and they would like to build a new park shelter house.
Jim spoke for Oakwood as well and said they would also like to get a new traffic light at SR 66 and 613. A better public transportation system is a growing need because of the aging population. New paths for walking and biking through the parks are planned. They also need better internet access and improving zoning regulations to help clean up the rundown houses. Youth activities are also a top goal for Oakwood.
Tim Boss represented the Village of Paulding. Some of the goals include public transportation, complete streets, and add biking and walking trails. They would like to expand utilities to US 24 and US127 interchange. More outdoor activities for both youth and adults are also on Oakwood’s “To-Do” list. They also would like a solution to the drug problems. Other items mentioned for Oakwood include more restaurants, various street improvements and utility building.
Joe Barker read for Scott and he said they would like to clean up the trash and blight issues in the village. He said they would also address the flood and drainage problems along with stopping the drug problems they have.
Joe also spoke for the Paulding County Township coverage area. He addressed what is needed and that includes high quality, high speed internet. He said that there needs to be a centralized access for weather with the EMA and have a plan for emergency NEXUS alert system. The funding was received and this was very encouraging for Joe Barker.
Dave Burtch emphasized how these goals were selected. It was from the people that came to the meetings, not town councils or anything else, but the people.
Tony Zartman, Paulding County Commissioner, spoke how the Vision Board began about 2 years ago, but officially became an entity about 1 year ago. Speaking for the Commissioners, Tony said they are behind this vision 100%. He thanked the fellow board members and fellow commissioners and the community who came together to make this happen.
Maumee Valley Planning Organization, Ellen Smith, spoke about the plans and how to fund these projects. MVPO is a regional planning organization dedicated to serving five counties in Northwest Ohio, of which, Paulding is one. General planning is taken care of by MVPO and helps to connect the projects with funding. The community development plan was in the executive plan book and was available to all of the people who went to the meeting. She said there is a one month comment period open to the public.
Ellen talked about funding and how can these ideas be paid for. ODOT might help with transportation, Paulding County Land Bank could help with blighted properties and many others. She said there is certainly funding options available and MVPO is there to connect these sources.
Erika Willitzer shared how the Vision Board plans to achieve its goals and to make sure that this continually expands and completes projects. She said the website is always active – pauldingcountyvisionboard.com She wants the community to know where the county was and where it is going. “If we work together,” Erika says, “We can go after bigger grants that will work for all of us.”
Ed Bohn spoke for the EMA and mentioned that the FEMA plan should be approved soon and will help flooding in many of the towns because they will be able get grants. Funding through FEMA may also be able to get grants for a community center.
Susan Pieper spoke up for the Paulding County Library and she said Paulding County has the finest library in the country. They will also be putting in 3D printers in all of the branches.
Lisa Nicely asked how often each of the goals would be updated. Erika stated they would be checking them each month and certainly reevaluating each year.
One gentleman spoke up asking, “what can we do?” The reply was to contact your town officials and say you want to help. They can add you to volunteer opportunities.
Mike Schneider from the Antwerp Chamber of Commerce asked if someone from the Vision Board would come to speak at one of their meetings and see if they overlap of goals.
One person asked about getting higher education into part of the Paulding County Vision Board.
Jerry Zielke, Economic Development, said that we are down to 3.5% unemployment which is about the lowest possible number you can have. He mentioned how there is a problem with jobs and not enough people for the jobs here but at the same time there needs to be higher skilled positions. He said things are looking good around here for job positions.
Megan Sierra from PC Workshop said they have one of the best labor workforces in town. They are employable and would like to see what partnerships could be created in the future. She asked how the order is decided to get the goals completed. Ellen replied and said they are working with funds and the plans. The Vision Board has to go through each submission and look at the common projects to get bigger grants. And part of that is how they decide what happens with each.
Dave Burtch said it would be good for people to visit PC Workshop. Since it became independent it has made a huge difference with Ellen in charge.
Paulding County Auditor, Claudia Fickel, said they have made a big improvement to the auditor website and how it can effect different elements and layers that can benefit contractors, towns, and much more. She said the surveys and parcel information should be uploaded within a year and a half.
The Library provided free t-shirts for any interested people that came to the Vision Board Event
Jerry Zielke said that over the past 2 years there has been approximately $1 million provided in grants to Paulding County projects.
