8019 Road 192
Cecil OH 45821
United States
(419) 258-2123
Bethel United Methodist Church
Author: Chamber Admin
Gen Fed Credit Union
Antwerp Branch:
5351 County Road 424
Antwerp, OH 45813
Phone: (419) 258-5151
Lobby Hours 9:00am- 5:00pm
United Way of Paulding County
Our Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for March is the United Way of Paulding County, located at 101 E. Perry Street in Paulding, Ohio. Lora Lyons is the executive director of the local United Way.
In 1992 a group of individuals saw a need in the county to pool resources to help improve the lives of people within the county. The United Way works to bring organizations and businesses together to strengthen the community. In fact, the mission of the United Way is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community. The United Way also looks for needs within the community and helps to bring resources into the county that can help cover those needs.
The United Way has been around the county for 30 years. They are a 501c3 non-profit pass-through organization. Businesses have the opportunity to donate to the United Way and can designate which non-profit organization they want the funds to go to. As a 501c3, all donations are tax deductible.
The United Way is best known for providing grants that help with education, health and financial stability. The staff is also known for volunteering within the community. What sets them aside from other organizations like them is that they attempt to cross barriers and work with multiple organizations. We are here to lift others up and help them achieve their goals. Currently we sit on multiple boards and committees to help us stay informed on where the county’s needs are. Some of those boards are: Family and Children First Council, Northwest Ohio Children Trust Fund, Northwest Ohio Homeless Committee, Habitat for Humanity of Paulding County, Paulding County Hospital Foundation, Kiwanis of Paulding County, and several local Chamber of Commerce, including our beloved Antwerp Chamber!
If someone is looking to donate, they should choose the United Way because they work with a lot of organizations and try to stay as connected as possible so when people need help, they know where to send them. They try best to support organizations and grant funds to programs that support our core values.
Lora feels that people continue to support the efforts of the United Way because of the commitment and dedication to community that people see when they think of the United Way. The United Way of Paulding County is comprised of local residents who specialize in health, education and financial stability. They want nothing but the best for the residents of this community.
The biggest misconception about the United Ways is how they are structured. United Ways are specific to their individual county and that county’s needs. Our boards are governed by local community members and the board member’s specialities are often the focus of the organization, including health, education and financial stability. They function with a very small staff to minimize costs as their primary goal is to raise money to provide for grants to local organizations. The United Way does not provide funds to individuals.
Lora is most passionate about her job because she feels deeply in investing in the community and its people. One little known fact about the United Way is that the worldwide organization was actually developed in 1887.
97% of all funds donated to our United Way stay within the county. Last year’s funds ($33,000) were able to help over 2,000 individuals in the county through 7 partner agencies. You can learn more about our non-profit partner organizations at our website www.uwpcoh.org . Our Allocation Committee is comprised of local community members. They meet yearly, in June at the end of our fiscal year, to determine what non-profit organizations will receive grants from the United Way. All of the funds that are granted back into Paulding County are decided by local people.
Our funds also provided over 7,300 books to children through Dolly Parton & Ohio Governor Imagination Library. We were also able to provide over 100 book bags full of supplies to children in need in the last two years. We continue to work with local resources and push to provide what our people need. We have also done some fun projects, like helping with care packages for teachers and health care workers. We also put together kits for our graduating seniors that give great advice for buying their first home, car insurance and renter’s insurance, setting up a bank account, retirement accounts and much more!
The 3% that goes out of county to United Way Worldwide helps at state and federal level to advocate for Emergency Food and Shelter Funding, Medicaid, and to perform necessary research for government entities to know where to allocate funds. An example of a study United Way spearheaded was the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained Employed) research. This research demonstrates how many American households are slightly above poverty level, but do not meet the “Cost of living” threshold. These are the everyday working families, living paycheck to paycheck, with little resources available to help them because they are just above that impoverished level. In Paulding County alone, it’s estimated that 7,770 people (37% of our county) are within that threshold. More information can be found at https://www.unitedforalice.org/.
You can donate to the United Way of Paulding County by texting “Paulding” to 269-89. As a 501c3 we adhere to federal reporting guidelines and state reporting guidelines. We have a financial review completed each year by a certified accountant. We also post our financials on our website to provide complete transparency. United Way Worldwide and United Way of Paulding County are both registered on GuideStar.
The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is pleased to have the United Way of Paulding County partnering with us in the Antwerp Community.
2021 Antwerp Chamber of Commerce wrap up.
2021 Antwerp Chamber of Commerce
The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce has closed out an “almost back to normal” 2021. We began by growing our membership to 49 businesses, 19 non-profits, 11 home-based businesses and 9 friends of the library chamber memberships. This included a growth in our home-based businesses category. These range from local crafters to direct sales representatives. We also continued our Spotlight on area businesses by doing feature articles on Krazy Krafters, Pond-a-River, Antwerp Manor, Antwerp Conservation Club, Leinard Mobile Home Court and Gen Fed Credit Union. We had grand openings for 3 new businesses/business owners this year. The new Sub and Grub in the old Subway building, the new owner of Leinard Mobile Home Park, and recently for Antwerp Corner Café.
For the third year we awarded our Antwerp Chamber scholarship to a deserving senior from Vantage, Eli Molitor. Eli graduated from Vantage in the Ag and Industrial Power Technology program. He is attending the University of Northwestern Ohio majoring in Agricultural Diesel Technology. Upon completion of this two-year degree, he intends to continue farming as well as working in a shop repairing diesel engines. The Chamber paired Eli with Kyle Kauser, Transportation Director at Antwerp Local Schools. Kyle has tremendous experience in working with diesel engines through the bus garage and will be a tremendous asset to Eli as he works towards his professional goals. Our Cutie Pie Contest during Day in the Park supports our scholarship each year.
In April and May we celebrated Mother’s Day with #antwerpshop4mom days. Community businesses ran specials and home based businesses were open at the VFW and the old Papa Oley’s building.
In June we once again sponsored the Town-wide garage sales. Chamber was able to make a map of sales in the area and business sponsors on the back. These were available for shoppers to pick up as they moved from sale to sale.
We also test drove the 3/50 project. For every $100 spent in locally owned and independent stores, $68 stay in the community in the forms of taxes, payroll and other expenditure. We challenged people to choose 3 businesses that they would miss if they were no longer here and to spend $50 in each business. We did this for 4 months and each winner won $50 in Chamber Bucks. Winners were Suz Bagley, Cyndy Bowers, Judy Sawyer and Brenda Copsey. Grab Your Neighbor and Explore Your Downtown was shortened to just the kiddie parade in July with bingo following at the VFW and the 3rd annual dog show in August. Both were well attended despite having rain both days. Many children turned out for the parade and bingo and about 12 dogs entered the dog show with Fergus being the winner. Donations were taken up at the dog show for the Paulding County dog kennel.
With a little help from our local Girl Scout troop we continued with a fun activity this summer involving books. We took in donations of gently used books, placed them in plastic bags with a note, and hid them around town and out at the park. Kids were encouraged to find a book, read it and then place it back in the bag and rehide it for someone else to find. Our hope is that the children enjoyed some reading time throughout the summer months.
Day in the Park was a huge success with the theme being Best Vacation Ever. The Park was filled with townsfolk eager to see the great entertainment, crafters, food vendors, parade, games for the kids, Cutie Pie Contest and silent auction. Water to Wine provided our musical entertainment for the day and Laurel Hopkins was our Gem of the Year. Our total profit from Day in the Park was $2083.00. The Genesis House was the winner of the traveling trophy. We want to thank everyone who donated and participated in our big event.
In early November we partnered with the Holly Beach Splash Pad group and sponsored a wine bus trip on a beautiful Saturday morning. All proceeds went directly to help fund the splash pad and we raised $3000.00 and had a tremendous amount of fun doing it.
Small Business Saturday, held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, was a huge success with many businesses having a very profitable day. We had a Scavenger Hunt and a save your receipt raffle- both with prizes awarded in the form of Chamber Bucks to be used at any Chamber Business. Thank you to the VFW for allowing us to host the welcome station in their meeting room.
Next we held a Christmas tree lighting/carol sing at Greenway Park next to the police station. We have outgrown our large Christmas tree near the street so we have moved down to the arbor area behind the tennis court. While we wait for our new tree to grow we lit up the arbor with our artificial tree and the nativity.
To encourage businesses to decorate for the holidays we had a contest for the best festive light display. We had 13 businesses join us and 43 people voted. The winner was Small Town Bliss. They now can proudly display a life size version of the leg lamp from the Christmas Story movie. The leg lamp will become a traveling trophy and we can’t wait to crown a new winner in 2022.
Secret Santa Shop was again a fun time for our kiddos and a chance for businesses to show off a few gifts. For $5 per gift a child could shop in our Santa shop where they purchased small gifts for their family. Once again, we were able to use the meeting room at the VFW for this event. All items are provided by our local businesses and all monies went back to the businesses. This year $1160.00 went back to local businesses.
We wrapped up 2021 with Santa’s mailbox set up next to the town hall. Our busy little elf helps Santa answer between 100 and 125 letters to Santa each year.
Chamber Bucks continue to be a hit with gift givers. Many businesses, groups and individuals purchased Chamber Bucks to show their appreciation. Remember, if you receive a chamber buck in your business, just flip it over and there is a phone number on the back. Call Sue Fowler and she will stop in your business and reimburse you for the amount of the chamber buck.
Don’t forget about Chamber gift certificates that are available at the Antwerp Exchange Bank. Gift certificates make a great gift or a nice way to pay it forward for a person or family in need. The certificate, in the form of a check, can be used anywhere in our town. The check cannot be used for cash.
The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce continues to be committed to all the businesses in the Antwerp community. We welcome any and all feedback and we encourage members to join us at our monthly meetings. You do not need to own a business to be a member of the Chamber. We have an individual membership category as well so if you like the things we are doing, we invite you to join us.
Thank you, businesses, for all that you do to support the Chamber. We look forward to seeing all of you in 2022.
GenFed Financial Credit Union
Our Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for December is GenFed Credit Union, 5350 Co Rd 424,
Antwerp, Ohio.
The Antwerp Branch of the GenFed Credit Union is managed by Heather Matusiak. Heather is also the Branch Manager of the Bryan location. Our credit union is the only one in Paulding County. GenFed Financial Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution that serves areas of Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. A credit union is owned by the account holders (also called members) and it exists solely for the benefit of those members. Credit unions don’t have stockholders like banks and are able to return any profits to the members in the form of better rates, lower fees and increased services.
Our mission, “Better than a bank; so amazing you tell your friends” is something we strive for every day we open the doors. With GenFed, you can count on getting the best products, services, rates and service. Plus, we offer convenient access to your money and account information. They have had our members’ best interests at heart for more than 75 years.
GenFed is best known for their low cost banking services with lower fees and better rates, local service and live voice calls. What sets them aside from others in this type of business is that it specifically offers almost all of the same services you can find at the big box banks, which is not always the case with local credit unions.
As a customer, you should seriously look at the products that GenFed has to offer. They strive to offer the best products, services, loan and savings rates and services. They also offer convenient access to your money and account by participating in shared branching Co-op! Our GenFed credit union employs local people who care about the members and the community. You may see them uptown during lunch time at one of the eateries, getting coffee at the Genesis House or picking up water at H2O.
Geographically, they serve people who live, work, worship, attend school or volunteer in Paulding, Williams and Defiance County. Heather and her crew have joined the Antwerp Chamber of Commerce and Paulding County Economic Development this year. They are learning about the events and activities that they can actively support. They are passionate about giving back to their community and helping their members in all stages of life.
When I asked Heather to complete this sentence, “When a customer walks into your business they can expect…,” without hesitation she responded with, they can expect us to make their life better through the services they use at GenFed or the simple caring gesture of one or more of our employees.
A little known secret about their business is that they give out scholarships every year to local students. The student does not have to be a member to apply for the scholarship.
Did you know that while on vacation anywhere in the United States you can plug in the address of their website and it will tell you what financial institution you can conduct transactions on your GenFed account with? That is the beauty of the Co-op banking that they participate in.
The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is pleased to have the GenFed Credit Union partnering with us in the Antwerp Community.
Why become a Chamber member
Antwerp Chamber Of Commerce
PO Box 893
Antwerp, OH 45813
Greetings,
It’s that time again to join or renew your membership with the Antwerp Chamber of Commerce. Your ongoing financial contribution is vital to our ability to continue to deliver outstanding business support and events to promote our town. We are focused and driven to promote, protect and preserve the businesses in our community.
2021 was a year of a somewhat return to normalcy after the Covid-19 epidemic. While the epidemic is still touching communities, ours has begun to thrive again. A new year of membership brings opportunities to expand our businesses and grow our Chamber. Our strength and vitality comes from the unity within our businesses and our presence in the community. Much change has been in the air in the last year, and with that we have been inspired with new ideas and renewed excitement for 2022. We are looking forward to the “new” Chamber of 2022 and we anticipate a very successful year.
Why join the Antwerp Chamber of Commerce?
• Advertising opportunities through the Chamber’s email list of members and on our Facebook page.
• Gain visibility and drive traffic to your business through the Chamber’s social media campaigns and advertising opportunities throughout the year.
• Tap into the power of networking through Chamber events.
• Get featured in our Business Spotlight.
- Antwerp Chamber website now up and running.
• Gain massive visibility and drive traffic to your business through the Chambers sponsored events like: Day in the Park, Co-chair the Halloween parade with the Fire Department, Small Business Saturday, Chamber Bucks, Business Christmas lighting, Christmas Tree Lighting at the tennis court and Letters to Santa, Santa’s Secret Shop where children can shop for their parents with items from local businesses, Welcome to Antwerp Brochure, and Chamber Scholarship promotion.
The dues are minimal:
Business membership $60.00
Service organizations and churches $35.00
Home-based businesses $25.00
Friends of the chamber $20.00
New this year to help offset the membership dues and to encourage more participation by members in Chamber events, we have decided that if you participate in 2 or more Chamber events in 2022, you will get $10 in Chamber Bucks.
The Chamber of Commerce holds meetings on the third Wednesday of every month at 1:00 pm. Location to be announced. We can notify you by email of our regular meetings on the Monday prior to the meetings. We can also notify you of special events throughout the year.
It is our hope that you will want to be a part of this organization and support our efforts to promote and protect all local businesses and our great community. We are open to hearing your suggestions on how we can make our Chamber more helpful and beneficial to its members and their businesses. If you have an idea, we want to hear from you. We can be reached by mail at the above address or email us at antwerpchamber@gmail.com. Please like us on Facebook at Antwerp Chamber of Commerce. Our website is antwerpchamber.com
Let’s make our community a place where our children WANT to raise their children, a place where a business is welcome and a place where we all can grow old together.
“Great things are never done by one person. They are done by a team of people.” Steve Jobs
Sincerely,
Antwerp Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Challenge 2021
What three independently owned businesses would you miss if they disappeared? Stop in. Say hello. Pick up something that brings a smile. Your purchases are what keeps those businesses around. If half the employed population spent $50 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. Imaging the positive impact if 2/3 of the employed population did that. For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it on line and nothing comes home. The number of people it takes to start the trend….you. Antwerp Chamber of Commerce has a challenge for Antwerp- Spend $50 in 3 businesses. That is $150 per month at a minimum of 3 different Antwerp businesses at $50 each, or $25 in 6 businesses, etc you get the drift. Starting May 8th- save your receipts, (you can ask for a receipt at the business) and turn them in at the Grab Your Neighbor event on June 8. Do the same thing for July, August and September. The winner will be drawn at the Grab your Neighbor event and the prize is $50 in Chamber Bucks. Enter every month. Name and phone number on each receipt. Fill your tank, change your tires, get your oil changed, pick up some groceries, get your hair or nails done, prescriptions, flowers, food, flooring, etc. any Antwerp businesses including a home based business. Let’s have some fun and support our small town businesses. #smalltownbigpride #smallbusinesschallenge #smallbusiness
2021 Antwerp Chamber of Commerce Scholarship winner
The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Eli Molitor is the recipient of this year’s Antwerp Chamber of Commerce Scholarship. The recipient of this scholarship must be a graduating senior of Vantage Career Center who is a resident of the Antwerp School district. The intent of this scholarship is to provide up to $500 for the student to purchase some of the basic tools of their trade in order to begin actively participating in the business community or costs associated with pursuing further education in their field. The Chamber also pairs the recipient with a local businessperson who is a member of the Antwerp Chamber of Commerce. This mentorship provides access for the student into the local business community, a networking opportunity, and the option to mentor under the businessperson. The monetary portion of the scholarship is supported by the proceeds received in the Cutie Pie Contest at the Antwerp Day in the Park. The Chamber’s desire is that this scholarship will not only encourage the student as they step out of school but will also help the student become established in the local business community. This year’s recipient, Eli Molitor, graduated from Vantage in the Ag and Industrial Power Technology program. He will attend the University of Northwestern Ohio in the fall majoring in Agricultural Diesel Technology. Upon completion of this two-year degree, he intends to continue farming as well as working in a shop repairing diesel engines. The Chamber paired Eli with Kyle Kauser, Transportation Director at Antwerp Local Schools. Kyle has tremendous experience in working with diesel engines through the bus garage and will be a tremendous asset to Eli as he works towards his professional goals. Pictured below is Mike Schneider, Antwerp Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Committee Chair, Eli Molitor, scholarship recipient, Kyle Kauser, Transportation Director at Antwerp Public Schools.
Antwerp Conservation Club
Our Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for May is the Antwerp Conservation Club at 17814 Road
53, Antwerp, OH.
The Conservation Club is a non-profit organization which was organized for charitable and educational
purposes, as well as the conservation of wildlife and its habitat, and for the betterment of the
community. This is a club whose interests are in conservation and the shooting sports on the Rifle
Range, Pistol Range, Bow Range and Trap Range.
Gary Mabis is the current Club President. The club began back in the 1950’s with a small group of men
that had an interest in hunting and conservation. Early club meetings were held at the old American
Legion hall which is currently where the Right Turn driving school is on South Main Street where they
also held wild game dinners. The club moved in the 1980’s to their current location between Antwerp
and Hicksville on 22 acres that had been purchased in the 1950’s. The current clubhouse was built in
2006.
The club is very active and they are best known for their well-maintained ranges and facility. They
promote, sponsor and hold several youth and adult classes. Classes include: ladies introduction to
firearms, youth firearms training, deer butchering, turkey butchering, meat processing and more.
These programs draw people from across the state. Most active members, however, live in Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana. Their membership numbers 450-500 members and they have had people from as far away as California join the club. When the group is choosing which educational programs they would like to sponsor they think about what they would have liked to have someone teach them in their younger years.
The club has a close relationship with the Ohio Division of Natural Resources- Division of Wildlife section
which helps to support many of their education programs. Membership in the club is very
affordable for an individual and/or family to have access to such a wide variety of programs and a safe
range to shoot. Basic membership fees are $35 for a single membership and $50 for a family. Programs
also include hunter education, youth day, monthly pistol matches, and trap shoots.
The club sets aside time to have fun. They host an annual Easter Egg hunt each spring open to the
public. This year they had 71 kids hunting eggs on the beautiful acreage. They have a grand 4th of July
celebration and they also sponsor a club social event that is all open to the public once a month on the
2nd Wednesday. This includes games, card games, hot dogs, ham sandwiches and a great evening to
spend with friends.
Several of the more active members have been given unusual nick names such as Putz, Mud Slide, Sugar
and Honey. Each nick name has an entertaining story behind it and they are happy to share it with you.
There are no secrets. If you visit the Club, make sure to ask for one of these club members by their nick
name.
When someone walks into the Club, they can expect a smile and a welcome to the Antwerp
Conservation Club. Membership gives you access to all of the programs and ranges. The club is proud
to give back to the community. They offer two $400 scholarships each year to students in the Antwerp,
Hicksville, Wayne Trace, Paulding, Fairview and Woodburn high schools.
The hall is also available for rental for parties. It holds 90 people and an application can be found on the
Antwerp Conservation Club website. It includes a full kitchen and plenty of tables and chairs.
Events include a 22 Cal. Pistol Shoot the 3rd Sunday of April and May. Noon sign
up and shooting is from 1pm-4pm. There is a $5 match fee and eye protection is required as well as 50
rounds of ammo minimum needed. Targets include 8” steel plates, arcade style targets, water balloons
and many others. Trap shoots are on the 3rd Sunday May through October.
IDPA Pistol Matches are held the 1st Sunday of the month May thru October. June 5th is a Ladies
Introduction to firearms from 9am-3pm and on June 19th from 8am to noon will be Youth fishing day as
part of Ohio’s free fishing days June 19th and 20th. Residents of Ohio can fish without a license on those
two days as a chance to experience Ohio’s fishing opportunities.
Check out the club’s website for more information and membership application. Follow them on
Facebook at Antwerp Conservation Club Antwerp, Ohio, Visit the website calendar at
antwerpconservationclub.com or watch for ads in the West Bend News about upcoming events and
schedule. Memberships can be purchased several ways- by filling out the application form
on the website and mailing it in, by coming to a meeting or an event, or may be purchased at the
following businesses: The Ammo Can in Hicksville Ohio, McDougall Firearms in Antwerp Ohio or at
Paulding ACE Hardware in Paulding Ohio.
Club meetings are on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:00 P.M.
The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is pleased to have the Antwerp Conservation Club partnering with us in the Antwerp Community.
PAULDING COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
VISION STATEMENT OF PCED
To create a positive business climate in Paulding County and improve the economic well-being and quality of life of its citizens. Through the Chamber’s collaboration with the PCED, we hope to assist in the retention and creation of jobs within the community, improve local services and broaden the local tax base. Also, to encourage capital investment through the help of local, public and private leaders, the state of Ohio and engaging with the community.
