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GenFed Financial Credit Union

Posted on by Chamber Admin

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.

Pictured L-R are: Gabrielle Bute, Heather Matusiak, Samantha Holcomb and Melanie Smith.

Why become a Chamber member

Posted on by Chamber Admin

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

Posted on by Chamber Admin

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

Posted on by Chamber Admin

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

Posted on by Chamber Admin

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

Posted on by Chamber Admin

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.

https://pced.net/

Paulding County Hospital

Posted on by Chamber Admin

1035 West Wayne Street

Paulding, Oh 45879

419-399-4080

At Paulding County Hospital, patients are our top priority. We have the employees, technology and facilities to ensure we can deliver the care you deserve.

Mission Statement

Paulding County Hospital exists to continually improve the health status of the residents in our service area.

Vision Statement

To achieve its mission, Paulding County Hospital will provide local access to high quality, affordable services through the cooperative efforts of a network of physicians and other health care providers capable of delivering the continuum of care. We will apply the principles of Continuous Quality Improvement in the development of staff, services and facilities.

Values

Commitment to the community * Acceptance of responsibility * Respect for people * Excellence in performance.