The Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the winners of this year's highly anticipated Holiday Window Decorating Contest, which brought joy, creativity, and festive cheer to the community.
Limitless by PC Workshop captured the hearts of the community, earning the coveted People’s Choice Award with its imaginative and dazzling display. Meanwhile, Grounded Coffee & Crumbs impressed the judges with its artistic flair and holiday spirit, claiming the prestigious Judge’s Choice Award.
The Chamber congratulates both winners on their outstanding achievements and extends its heartfelt gratitude to all participating businesses for helping to create a magical holiday atmosphere in Paulding County. Events like this showcase the creativity, collaboration, and community pride that make our area so special.
This year’s participants included:
The Chamber expresses its gratitude to these businesses and organizations for their participation, which has brightened the season for residents and visitors alike. Thank you to everyone who supported the event by visiting downtown, voting for their favorite displays, and celebrating the spirit of the season.
For more information about upcoming events by sure check out Yodel, the Paulding County Community Calendar. Happy Holidays from the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce!
The holiday season is officially underway, and the town is aglow with the magic of the Chamber's Annual Holiday Window Decorating Contest! Local businesses have gone above and beyond to create dazzling, original displays that embody the spirit of the season and showcase their community pride. Now, it’s your turn to help choose which window stands out as the community favorite.
Voting for the People’s Choice Award will open on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 5 PM and continue through Monday, December 9, 2024, at noon.
Make the most of this festive time by taking a stroll through town to admire the creative and cheerful displays crafted by our local businesses. Once you’ve seen the windows, casting your vote is easy! Each participating display features a sign with a voting link and a QR code to scan for direct access to the ballot.
“We’re so proud of the creativity and effort our local businesses have put into this competition,” said Erica Noggle, Executive Director of the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce. “Their enthusiasm and pride in our community shine through each window. We greatly appreciate their participation and encourage everyone to come out, enjoy the displays, and support our amazing local businesses.”
This contest is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the season, support local businesses, and enjoy the beauty and creativity of our town. Mark your calendar and get ready to vote starting December 2nd!
The Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the resounding success of the 2024 Shop the Village event, held on Saturday, November 23rd. The community came together to support local businesses and entrepreneurs in a festive and bustling atmosphere, marking this year's event as one of the most vibrant yet.
With over 60 talented vendors participating, attendees had the unique opportunity to shop an incredible variety of handcrafted goods, holiday décor, specialty items, and more. The event also spotlighted 13 local businesses that graciously opened their doors to host these vendors, creating a seamless blend of established shops and visiting artisans.
"Shop the Village is a celebration of community, entrepreneurship, and the holiday spirit," said Victoria Wilhelm, Executive Director of the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce. "We’re grateful for the support of our local businesses, vendors, and attendees who made this day truly special."
The event showcased the creativity and talent thriving within Paulding County and the surrounding area. From one-of-a-kind gifts to delicious treats, there was something for everyone to enjoy while shopping small and supporting local.
The Chamber extends its heartfelt thanks to all who participated and attended, as well as to the vendors and local businesses that helped bring this vision to life. Events like Shop the Village highlight the strength of the Paulding community and its commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs.
The Chamber looks forward to continuing this cherished tradition in the years to come and encourages everyone to keep supporting local businesses this holiday season.
For more information on future events, follow the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce on social media or visit our website at [Insert Website Link]
The Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to kick off the holiday shopping season at the highly anticipated Shop the Village event on Saturday, November 23rd! Downtown Paulding will transform into a bustling marketplace featuring over 60 local vendors, offering one-of-a-kind gifts, festive décor, homemade treats, and more.
This is the perfect opportunity to find unique, meaningful gifts while supporting local businesses that are the heart of our community. From handmade crafts to locally produced goods, the selection at Shop the Village ensures that everyone can find something special this holiday season. Unlike typical store-bought items, each purchase at Shop the Village reflects the creativity and dedication of our local talented artisans and entrepreneurs.
An event map is now available on the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce website (www.pauldingchamber.com) and social media pages, navigating the event and finding your favorite vendors has never been easier. Whether you're seeking stocking stuffers, unique artwork, or gourmet treats, the event promises a fun and personalized shopping experience for all.
"Shopping local strengthens our economy and keeps small businesses thriving," said Erica Noggle, Chamber Director. "At Shop the Village, we encourage everyone to discover all that our local businesses and artisans have to offer. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the season while giving back to the community."
Don’t miss out on the chance to support local businesses, connect with your neighbors, and make your holiday shopping truly memorable. Mark your calendars for November 23rd and join us in Paulding for a day of community, creativity, and holiday cheer!
For more information, contact the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce at 419-399-5215 or pauldingchamber@gmail.com.
Shop local, give unique, and make a difference this holiday season at Shop the Village!
It’s never too early to plan for another season of festive competition! The Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the return of the Holiday Window Decorating Contest, an eagerly anticipated event that brings creativity and holiday spirit to our community. Over the past three years, local businesses have wowed us with imaginative, vibrant window displays, and we can’t wait to see how each will elevate their designs for the 2024 season!
Participation Details: There is no participation fee for the contest beyond the cost of decorations. All interested businesses are invited to bring their unique flair to their storefronts for the chance to win the coveted People’s Choice Award.
Guidelines for Entry:
Businesses that wish to compete and be included on the People’s Choice voting ballot should complete the registration form by Monday, November 18, 2024. Registration is available at bit.ly/HolidayWindowContest24.
Voting Information: Voting for the People’s Choice Award will open at 5 p.m. on December 2 and will close at noon on December 9, 2024. We encourage everyone in the community to cast their vote and support the creativity of our local businesses!
Join us in celebrating this season by transforming Paulding into a festive holiday destination! For additional details, please contact the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Paulding County Trails Project recently partnered with Beer Barrel Pizza & Grill in Van Wert, OH, for a successful fundraising event, raising $423.55 to support the development of local trails.
As part of the "Dine & Donate" program, 20% of sales from participating diners were donated directly to the Trails project. The funds will be used for the design and engineering costs of the project, benefiting both residents and visitors to the area.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the community’s support and to Beer Barrel Pizza & Grill for their partnership,” said Erica Noggle, Executive Director of the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce. “These contributions will help us move forward with our vision of building a vibrant trail system that not only encourages outdoor recreation but also strengthens our local economy by attracting more visitors to area businesses.”
The Paulding County Trails Project is focused on creating a network of trails for walking, biking, and outdoor activities, which will enrich the county's quality of life and foster economic growth by drawing tourists and outdoor enthusiasts.
The next fundraising event for the Paulding County Trails Project will be a t-shirt fundraiser in partnership with Heier Threads. Supporters can order exclusive 'Trail Crew' t-shirts online at www.heierthreads.com/products/paulding-county-trail-crew-tee. For any questions regarding the ‘Trail Crew’ t-shirts, please contact Sarah Heier at heierthreads@gmail.com.
For more information about future events or to support the Paulding County Trails Project, please contact Erica Noggle at the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce or Anna Gurney at the Paulding Soil & Water Conservation District.
Mark your calendars for a special event from 5:00-8:00pm on Wednesday, October 16th at Beer Barrel Pizza & Grill! Join us for a delicious meal while supporting a great cause—the Paulding County Trails Project.
Whether you choose to dine in or carry out, simply mention this fundraiser, and 20% of your purchase will be donated to help fund the development of the Trails Project. This project will enhance our community by creating safe and scenic outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Event Details:
By participating, you are helping pave the way for a healthier, more connected community. Every meal makes a difference, so don’t forget to bring your flyer and encourage your friends and family to join!
Let’s come together to make an impact—your support will help us create a lasting legacy for Paulding County!
For more information, please contact Erica Noggle or Anna Gurney at friendsofthepcpd@gmail.com.
The Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Banquet on Thursday, September 26, 2024. The Annual Banquet is the Chamber’s opportunity to honor businesses and community members because without them our Paulding County Community wouldn't be as amazing as it is today. This year’s theme was a play on the traditional Monopoly game to coincide with the creation of the Paulding County-opoly game.
The Chamber touched on many programs and collaborative projects that have occurred over the last year. Those projects ranged from the Community Clean Up Day with Paulding Exempted Village Schools to the current project that is underway with the Paulding County Trails Project. These efforts are a staple of the Chamber’s mission to exemplify leadership by positively reinforcing and representing their members and businesses in the communities that they proudly serve.
Throughout the evening the Chamber celebrated with the community by presenting 18 awards in the categories of Milestone Awards, Golden Shovel Awards, Business Leader of the Year, Young Professional of the Year and the Legacy Award. Memories by Tawnya was present to take professional headshots and to capture a picture of each award recipient throughout the evening.
Milestone Awards were presented to businesses and organizations in celebration of their years of service to the Paulding County community.
1 year
15 years
20 years
25 years
40 years
70 years
90 years
120 years
The Golden Shovel Awards were presented to the following businesses that made improvements or expansions to their facilities to better serve their needs and those of the community.
The final three award recipients are chosen from nominations that were submitted by community members. Those nominations were passed along to three Chamber Directors in the states of Utah, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. Each of this year’s awards recipients were chosen unanimously by those individuals.
Business Leader of the Year is presented to an individual that has excelled within a leadership role in a Chamber member business. This individual is innovative, motivating to employees and civically engaged. This recipient may have acquired a long-term record of service or may have made one outstanding contribution that made a major impact in their business, industry and/or community. This year’s 2024 Business Leader of the Year is Bryce Steiner.
The Young Professional of The Year award is presented to an individual (age 20-40) who has achieved a successful career and has made innovative contributions to their company/community. This individual has distinguished themselves as a future leader in the business/organization. This year’s 2024 Young Professional of the Year is Amber Gochenour.
The Legacy Award recognizes an individual in our community that has given their time and talent to build a better tomorrow. This year’s 2024 Legacy Award recipient is Travis Tumblin.
A fun and creative fund-raising activity that occurs during the banquet is the Dessert Dash. Each table works together as a team to bid on a dessert. The table with the highest bid gets to ‘dash’ to the dessert table to claim their sugary goodness and then so on and so forth. This year’s desserts were provided by Grounded Coffee and Crumb, Michelle Stanford, and Grant’s Catering. The funds raised are then used by the Chamber throughout the year on Quality-of-Life projects throughout Paulding County. Through the kindness and generosity of the attendees we were able to raise $2,432.
This year’s Annual Banquet was made possible by the sponsorship of Northwest State Community College, State Bank & Trust, C.C. Seamless, Baughman Tile Company, Paulding Putnam Electric Co-Op, Sherwood Mutual Telephone Association, The Union Bank Company, Vancrest of Payne, and First Financial Bank. Memories by Tawnya was present to take professional headshots and to capture a picture of each award recipient.
Shop the Village, our local twist on Shop Small Saturday, is back and better than ever! This beloved Paulding County community event, designed to support and showcase local businesses and entrepreneurs, will take place a week earlier this year to ensure everyone can enjoy it before the holiday rush.
Mark Your Calendars! This year's Shop the Village will be held on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024, strategically placed before Black Friday and the highly anticipated Ohio State vs. Michigan football game. This change allows residents to enjoy a day of shopping and community engagement without the worry of missing out on the big game or getting caught up in the Black Friday frenzy.
The Chamber is now accepting vendor registrations for this year’s event. If you’re a local business owner or entrepreneur looking for an opportunity to connect with the community and boost your holiday sales, now is the time to sign up! Don’t miss this chance to showcase your unique products to an eager and supportive audience.
We’re counting on the community to help make this year’s event the best yet. Please share the event with friends, family, and anyone who might be interested in being a vendor or simply enjoying a day of shopping in support of local businesses. The more, the merrier!
For more information, including how to register as a vendor, please contact Erica Noggle at the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce or visit www.pauldingchamber.com/Shop-the-Village.
PAULDING, OH. - $730,000 has been awarded for the construction of recreational trails and safe pathway development in the Paulding County, Ohio community.
The Paulding County Trails Committee, in partnership with the Paulding County Commissioners, is thrilled to announce a significant development in community enhancement: the allocation of $730,000 for recreational trail development. This transformative project aims to redefine mobility, recreation, wellness, and accessibility for residents across Paulding County. “These funds provide funding for projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities. I’m excited that Paulding County, who has never received these funds before, will be able to benefit from this program,” says Kylie Schnipke, District 1 LPA Coordinator, ODOT.
In planning, the committee focused on more than just trails; they wanted to make sure that everyone feels welcome and can safely enjoy recreation, nature, and essential services. The Paulding Trail Project will help with important county needs like safety, health, and economic growth. By building inclusive pathways, they're making sure everyone can reach activity centers and essential services easily, while also encouraging walking and biking.
Phase 1 of the Paulding Trail Project will connect the Black Swamp Nature Center to Lela McGuire-Jeffery Park on the west side of the Village of Paulding. This visionary initiative is more than concrete and asphalt, it is a path to a safer, healthier, and more vibrant way of life.
The benefits extend far beyond physical health. According to Anna Gurney, Education Specialist at Paulding Soil and Water Conservation District, "An enormous amount of research supports the fact that trails are associated with increased physical activity and improved physical and mental health and well-being."
Investing in nature trails has a ripple effect, making the whole community better. A report by the National Association of Homebuilders found that having a trail nearby is the second-most cited community amenity by prospective home buyers. Additionally, numerous studies have shown that having trails nearby increases property values.
“Recreation is vital for communities, bringing fun, money, and energy. This trail project will benefit our local businesses and give our community a safe place to enjoy nature," says Erica Noggle, Executive Director of the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Paulding County. To learn more about the project, additional proposed phases, or how you can support the project, please visit: https://pauldingchamber.com/Parks-and-Trails-Project
P.O. Box 237, Paulding, OH 45879
Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization.