Category: Business Spotlight

Business Spotlight- The Antwerp Pit Stop

Posted on by Chamber Admin

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for March is The Antwerp Pit Stop in Antwerp, Ohio.

Christy and Tony DeLong are the owners of the Pit Stop.  It all began with a phone call and the opportunity to purchase a business.  Tony and Christy discussed the idea and then set the papers aside for awhile.  Then Gene Mosier from National Oil and Gas came and asked for a chance to meet with them and discuss things in more detail.  That was the moment for Christy when faith kicked in and it felt like the right time to take a chance and things began to fall into place.

Christy and Tony began the business with zero knowledge about what it takes to run a gas station and convenience store. Previously Christy had worked as a dental hygienist for 15 years. The last 19 years of owning the business has proven to be challenging as well as rewarding and Christy is most positive of the impact they have had on the local economy and the relationships they have been able to build with their customers.

The business, originally the Shell Station, became known as the Antwerp Pit Stop.  A gas station and convenience store that is a one stop destination for fuel, a variety of snacks and even a delicious pizza emerged as a result of that decision.   The station features multiple fuel pumps for various fuel types which makes it convenient for customers that have different fuel needs.  The convenience store is well stocked with everyday essentials, snacks, beverages hot and cold and other convenience items.

Our hometown locally owned and operated gas station is best known for its beer cave and its pizza. Being locally owned the Pit Stop adds a special touch to the community, distinguishing itself from larger, corporate chains.  Customers often appreciate knowing that their purchases contribute directly to our local economy and that Christy and Tony regularly give back to the community through donations to various community functions, sports team sponsorships as well as being very active within the community. These things are what set the Pit Stop aside as our only locally owned gas station in the village of Antwerp.

The friendly and approachable staff members work hard to keep that sense of community connection alive.  They work hard to keep a clean and well maintained gas station and convenience store and that makes a positive impression within the community.   Gas discounts are available through programs that they participate in such as Marathon Rewards and Get Upside. Customers return to the Pit Stop because of the convenient location, competitive pricing and the wide range of products offered in the store. The staff does their best to make sure customers find what they are looking for.

The Antwerp Pit Stop serves the Antwerp community as well as people traveling through town and many from across the state line. The best way that a customer can improve their experience when they visit the store is if you don’t find what you are looking for, please ask the staff. Chances are that they may be able to work with any of one of their remarkable vendors to get this item into your hands.

Congratulations to Christy and Tony on serving the Antwerp Community for the last 19 years. Your dedication to the Village of Antwerp and the surrounding communities is obvious in the care that you take with your customers, your staff and the business community of Antwerp.

Ties and Bows Shop

Posted on by Chamber Admin

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for November is Ties and Bows Craft and Novelty

Shop in Antwerp, Ohio.

Marilyn Graft is the proud owner of one of the newest business establishments in Antwerp. Ties and

Bows is located at 410. E. River Street in Antwerp, Ohio, which is most recently the site of

Bragg’s chiropractic office. Marilyn has enjoyed crafting since she was very young and it has

been a part of her adult life off and on between other jobs.

She started making stuffed elephants about 5 years ago when her granddaughter was expecting and

the nursery theme was elephants. She made blankets and burp towels and then decided it was

time for toys. She started with flannel and then decided to try ties. She would deconstruct the

tie, quilt it and make the elephant. Each quilted seam is hand knotted. No two are alike. Even if

the elephants are made from the same fabric, they are still different. Each one has its own

personality. One animal led to another as customers asked for dogs, cats, pigs, sharks, and

dinosaurs.

Marilyn was doing craft shows until COVID hit. When it was slowing down, she saw an ad in The

West Bend paper to join an outside show and rummage sale at the home of Krazy Krafters on

Canal Street. It was so much fun and the Krazy Krafters adopted her into their group. She rented

a room so that she could do inside shows as the weather was getting cold. Tonya Walker of

Krazy Krafters took it over and we expanded. Each time it was time to end, Marilyn and the

Krazy Krafters were saying, “If we just didn’t have to pack up the heavy displays and store them

until the next show”.  In August of this year, Marilyn took the plunge and purchased the old

chiropractor office to sell crafts and projects that she could not do at home because of space.

Krazy Krafters and Ties & Bows will continue to collaborate on sale dates and special events.

Tonya, Vicki, Michelle, Uncle Larry, and Diane have been a great help to Marilyn and her husband,

Ralph, in getting the shop up and running. Thank you does not go far enough to express their

gratitude. It is an ever-changing shop with several rooms to explore. You never quite know what

you might find. As you enter the front door you will see a variety of unique, inexpensive

displays, including bags of locally roasted coffee beans. While best known for the elephants,

Marilyn also does hats, bags, floral, and soon will return to making glass art. She is especially

proud when she sees a child (or adult) hug an animal and smile. Her passion is making someone

happy with that unique one of a kind item that she was able to create for them.

For a special occasion or ‘just because”, she will try to make what you want in a one-of-a-kind

reasonably priced item. She can use ties or fabric that belonged to a loved one to make beautiful

keepsakes.

Marilyn is happy to be a part of Antwerp and hopes people will stop in to see the shop and let her

assist them with what they may need. She can also work with vintage baskets to make unusual

floral pieces.

The Christmas shop is open and snowmen and snow-ladies are ready for a new home. The room will

feature nativity scenes to help us remember the reason for the season. She hopes to see

everyone in the shop especially during this holiday season.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Ties and Bows in the growth of

Antwerp and the surrounding community.

Hormann’s Heating and Cooling

Posted on by Chamber Admin

Our Antwerp Chamber of Commerce Spotlight for October is Hormann’s Heating and Cooling of Antwerp, Ohio.

Hormann’s Heating and Cooling have been doing business in the Antwerp community and surrounding area since May of 2002.  They offer the best HCAV installations and repairs for local residential properties.  Matt Hormann is the owner of the business along with his wife Lindsey.

Matt had worked with another area company for 9 years prior to starting his own business.   He enjoyed the work and decided to pursue the dream of owning his own business.  He saw a serious need within the Antwerp and surrounding communities so he took a chance and dove into owning and operating his own HVAC company.

Matt and his crew install furnaces, air conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and generators in existing homes and new construction.  They work on both commercial and residential buildings.  They also work for several major builders in the area.  They typically work within an hour of Antwerp.

During the hot summer months, the last thing you want to happen is your cooling system to kick the bucket!  Call Matt and let his team work with you for routine maintenance services on all your cooling services.  If you suspect you have a cooling unit problem, work with the Hormann team for the best detection services. Allow them to ensure it’s working like it should. Get the best services at a price you can afford!

When the rough Ohio winters take a toll on your home’s heating systems, call the team in for pre-season heating inspection services. If your heating system starts lacking the power to keep your home warm, trust in their BBB accredited team for all repairs. Feel smarter each time your home adjusts your heating temperature. With smart and programmable thermostats, your home will learn your temperature patterns. You’ll never need to adjust your heat again!

Hormann’s Heating and Cooling are known for being honest and upfront with their customers and would never try to take advantage of them.   Honesty and neatness in work are important qualities to Matt and he strives to hire technicians with those same values. 

Matt is most proud of starting this business from nothing and growing it to the successful HVAC business that it is today.

One helpful tip from Matt is to make sure your filters in your systems are changed every 30 days. That will prolong the life of your system and make repairs much easier.

Financing options are available through the business. Please email Angie Hormann at angie.hormannhc@gmail.com for more information.

So, if you’re suddenly facing an A/C or heating meltdown, call Matt 24 hours a day for emergency repair and maintenance services. 419-258-1640.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Hormann’s Heating and Cooling for the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding community.

Puckerbrush of Antwerp

Posted on by Chamber Admin

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for April is Puckerbrush Pizza in Antwerp, Ohio.

Brian Martin is the owner of Puckerbrush Pizza of Antwerp.  He also owns Puckerbrush Pizza in Payne, Ohio as well as Puckerbrush Brewhouse also in Payne, Ohio

Brian began working in the industry in 1995 starting out at his father’s bar (The Getaway Again) in Woodburn, Indiana.  When he turned 19, he moved to Tampa, Florida where he worked for the Lavarone family in an Italian restaurant. He also worked at Michael’s Grill employed as a Chef,  Hops Bar and Brewery where he worked as a Brewmaster and won 3 gold medals in the state of Florida and a bronze medal in the Great American beer festival.  While living in Tampa for 13 years he also opened and operated several Tijuana Flats restaurants. 

Puckerbrush Pizza is best known for their delicious pizza. They also offer a verity of mouthwatering items. Everything is prepared fresh and made in-house. Not in the mood for pizza? They also offer delicious sandwiches, soups and salads.  He even offers an off sight BBQ catering service for weddings, corporate meetings, graduation parties and more.

One thing that sets Brian and his crew apart from other pizza places is the quality of employees.  All of them work hard keeping up with quality food and operations on a daily basis.  Unique food, friendly service and a fun atmosphere are a few of the things you can expect from Puckerbrush Pizza. The experience you get at Puckerbrush is one you cannot find anywhere else in Paulding County.

Puckerbrush has been serving the community since 2011.  First in the town of Payne and recently they opened up a second shop in Antwerp in 2022.  When a customer walks into the pizza shop the smell of quality pizza and other foods that are unique to Puckerbrush assail your senses combined with well-trained local kids working and serving within their community make this a unique dining experience.  For many of these kids, this is their first venture into the world of work.

One thing that sets Puckerbrush apart from other pizza shops are the ceiling tiles that have been designed by local artists, interesting stickers, and the crew is always jamming to music while they work.  All of those things combined create a great atmosphere.

Brian is most passionate about developing people that are truly interested in working within the food industry.  He mentors these young men and women and encourages them to put out a quality top notch product.

One little known secret about Brian and Puckerbrush is that his original plan was to be open in the winter time and then travel in the summer… he never envisioned on being this busy in such a sparsely populated geographic.

He encourages people to step out of their gastric comfort zone and try a new and delectable dish specifically created by Brian himself.  “Not only was it a great excuse to get away and savor a peaceful evening in a small Ohio town away from the hustle and bustle, it was also a great place to get some really tasty pizza.” – Journal Gazette

Check out Brian’s website www.puckerbrushpizza.com and find him on Facebook at Puckerbrush Pizza of Antwerp, (419-506- 2002) Puckerbrush Pizza (Payne Location 419-263-2626) and the Puckerbrush brewhouse.  The brewhouse has a nice selection of coffees, smoothies, frappes, beer, wine and donuts.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Puckerbrush of Antwerp in the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding community.

Five Star Deck Building and Fencing

Posted on by Chamber Admin

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for March is Five Star Deck Building and Fencing based in Antwerp, Ohio.

Bob Bragg is the owner of Five Star Deck Building and Fencing. He and his wife and children reside in Antwerp.  In 2019 as Covid was ramping up he was managing a family business which everyone knows was a very difficult time for small businesses. Bob felt compelled to strike out on his own and pursue something for himself.  He began doing a few projects here and there for people that he knew.  What began as a side gig with just himself and an extra pair of hands here and there turned into a thriving business which employs 8 people today.

Bob’s company can do a variety of construction jobs.  Their main focus is building decks and running fencing. They have also built pergolas, gazebo, and poured concrete and built pole barns.  In the winter they do interior remodeling jobs. They create functional, appealing outdoor spaces where you can enjoy the beauty of nature comfortably.

Bob is an entrepreneur.  He has that type of personality that thrives in the customer service industry.  He has always enjoyed talking to people and people enjoy discussions with him.  This has been a great adventure so far and Bob and his crew hope to continue down the same path for years to come.

What sets them aside from others in this type of business is the fact that his crew, the job site foreman, himself and the person they are doing the work for are all closely involved in the project.  Bob and his crew sincerely care about the work that they are doing. They treat their customers like family and in return they use that energy to put out the highest quality of product available. They strive to be the best and Bob will vouch for each and every one of them.

When a customer chooses Five Star they are making an investment in a long term and typically expensive project. Bob wants them to get the best out of the products and services they are providing.  You can hire someone for less money and get an average job done.  That is not who Five Star Deck Building and Fencing is.  They want to build something that is going to last and exhibit the quality of materials and workmanship that they are known for.

Customers will often call Bob back after a job to ask him to complete another project for them.  They know who he is and know that they are getting the best people in the area. They know that the customer service will always be there for them long after the job is completed.

Bob and his crew serve a geographic region roughly around a 50-55 mile radius of Antwerp.  When asked about a funny or strange anecdote about his business, he declined to elaborate but did say that it is nice that people can joke and have a good time about what they do but still keep it on a professional level.

Bob started his business from the ground up. He had an idea and he turned that into the thriving business he has today.  He is proud that he did it on his own and takes responsibility for that.  The business relies on him to do his job day in and day out and he is beholden to no one. People have helped him along the way and he appreciates the support of his family and friends.

Customer service and quality are the two main things that a customer can expect from Bob and the unique thing about his business is that while it is a small business they are competing in a big world.  Their quality, customer service and building relationships make them stand out in a crowd of similar businesses.

Bob has worked many jobs in his young life. He has worked in a factory, construction, worked in a family business, worked retail and several jobs doing outside work.  Each one of those jobs taught him things about how to structure my workplace.  He values each of his employees and when they need a day off, they get the day off. Their families and lives come before work.  That was something he hated about the factory life, being treated like a number in a system, being penalized for things out of your control, no vacation time until you have been there for awhile.  Bob prides himself that he does not treat anyone on his crew like a number.  They have health insurance, retirement options, vacation, and time off work when they need it.  They know that they are valued and that their job will be there tomorrow.  Thankfully he was able to work in places that taught him what he didn’t want to do with his own business and that is why he is able to keep such a great group of people around him.

One tip he would give to a prospective customer is to do a little research on the project that they are wanting completed.  While some people may not know what something is going to cost, it is beneficial to check out online prices and get a rough idea of costs.  Bob hates to disappoint people that thought their job would cost $5,000 and the quote ends up being quite a bit more. 

If you are interested in talking to Bob about a project, you can reach him at (260) 444-7678 or by email at bob@fivestardecksandfencing.com. Check out the website at https://fivestardecksandfencing.com Follow them on Facebook. The company is now partnering with Hearth to offer financing for your project up to $250,000.

Bob is proud to employ local people and he wants to remind everyone to SHOP LOCAL.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Five Star Deck Building and Fencing in the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding community.

Pin-a-Rama bowling and dining

Posted on by Chamber Admin

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for February is Pin-A-Rama bowling alley, located in downtown art 207 West Daggett Street Antwerp, Ohio.

The owners of this newly purchased and remodeled business are Reggie and Brandi Clem.  Regan and Lindsay Clem.  If you want to take a step back in time, visit this uniquely renovated bowling alley/diner/pizza establishment.  Pinball machines, 50’s retro dining look,  craft bottled sodas, milk shakes, hamburgers and hot bologna sandwiches made on Bob and Virg’s magical grill, Ruth’s famous cole slaw and a variety of pizza make this place a must go to for friends and family events.

When the Hogan family decided to sell the bowling alley, Reggie and Regan and their father Rollie Clem, hated to see the bowling alley disappear. Without the bowling alley, there really wasn’t a place outside of church, bars and school activities for people to get to know one another and have a good time.  There wasn’t a place for a family to have a fun night out in our little town.  The Clems wanted to continue to make that happen, so they took a chance and are bringing the place back to life like we all remembered about it from our childhoods growing up.

The Pin-a-Rama was built in 1957 by Bob Johnson and Virgil Meyers.  Many Antwerpians remember time spent at the bowling alley. Friday night bowling when there were no ballgames, birthday parties with friends, bowling in leagues both in high school gym classes and then later as adults. The famous fried bologna sandwiches.   Bob and Virg sold the business in the 90’s and it has changed many hands and business names as well. The Clems are determined to bring back the wonderful burgers and fun that Bob and Virg had created.

The bowling alley is the only one in Ohio west of Defiance.  It is a great place to have parties and the benefits is you don’t have to clean up the mess.  One of the best things they love to hear is about how the burgers bring back memories of when they were growing up and spending time at the bowling alley.

Reggie and Regan are most proud of the support the business has received from the community.  While this has been a huge learning curve for them, the community has been awesome and supportive through it all.  They are looking forward to serving the community for years to come. Pin-a-Rama is more than just a bowling alley.  It is a place to grab a good burger, shake or malt.  It’s a place to get a pizza and share with friends. It’s a place to play pinball and have a good time.  It’s a place to have a party with friends. It’s a place where friendships are made and grow.  In fact, they have already had several couples who have had their first date at the bowling alley.

When you walk into their business you can expect to travel back in time to a place where the burgers are fresh, the shakes are great and friendships are made. What makes them unique is the taste of the burgers, the large variety of craft sodas and just a fun 50’s diner feel.

Reggie has several bowling leagues organized including one during the daytime and a kid’s league on Saturdays.   Monday afternoons from 3-5:30 there is unlimited bowling and a free craft soda for $5.

Regan and Reggie commented “Here is our commitment to all of you though. We will strive to get better and better. We will be better next time than we are this time. We want Pin-A-Rama to be one of your favorite places in the whole world, just like it was for us when we were growing up. We want to be a place where people build friendships and our community is made better.”

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Pin-A-Rama in the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding community.

More Than Boutique LLC

More Than Boutique LLC

Posted on by brycesteiner

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for January is More Than Boutique, located in downtown Antwerp, Ohio. 

The owners of this quaint little boutique that resides just across from the H2O Water Store is Summer Allen and Dana Garmater. These two have been lifelong friends and they share a love of fashion. Starting a boutique has been a dream of both of them for years and last year they were able to start their business in the Antwerp community. 

They love the community and wanted a place where women, friends, mothers and daughters would be able to come and feel accepted. The boutique represents a place where women can share moments together. Regardless of your past, size, title or choices you have made, More Than Boutique is a place that will remind you that you are more than your situation or the time that you are in right now. 

Clothing boutiques have been around for a long time. More and more boutiques are opening up in small towns and providing a more local feel than the big box stores and they also have the opportunity to foster an environment of closeness. The boutique offers clothing, accessories, home décor and small gifts. The staff loves to support other small businesses and they have several local vendors featured in their shop. 

Summer and Dana hope that their friendship and encouragement will be what most people will remember from visiting their boutique. They realize they cannot offer everything to everybody but they do want to offer as much style variety and sizes as possible. They offer a place where they too can shop with their daughters, who have all different styles and body sizes. Their focus is an atmosphere where everyone can feel confident and enjoy themselves. 

The more the staff has gotten to know the women in the community, the more they find themselves getting glimpses into the lives of the ladies that come into the boutique. The connection when they see a familiar face, get to meet and hear about grandchildren, hear about newly engaged couples and hear about kids’ sporting events helps to build these connections. Occasionally a husband will stop in and ask for help to shop for his wife. These connections are extremely important and they love the relationships they are building. 

What keeps customers coming back to the boutique? Well, they hope that you come back not only because you enjoy what product is offered in the store but also that you enjoyed the experience of having a place to shop with close friends. Maybe it was a quiet break for a young mom or even a place a grandma can bring their grandchildren to share a moment. While they enjoy serving the ladies in the community they also offer online shopping via Facebook and soon they will have that option on their website. 

One funny anecdote about the businesses was when Dana realized that she was road tripping with a car full of undressed mannequins and imagining what that looked like rolling down the highway. Dana is most proud of the compromising relationship that she and Summer have, learning to build on both of their strengths and also being able to teach her girls about hard work and commitment and what it takes to make a dream come true. Summer is most proud of how she and Dana have grown as friends over this adventure. They are really able to succeed and grow in strength and confidence from learning from each other. There have also seen so many times women will just stop in to chat with a friends and that is what makes them smile, knowing they are offering them this moment. 

When a customer walks into the boutique they can expect to feel welcomed and valued and to leave encouraged. They also want you to know that they are truly thankful for your presence in their store. What makes the business unique is that Dana and Summer run the business along with their teenage daughters and love that they are able to teach them through this experience. “We are who we are. You get the real us when you come in.” states Summer. “All of the different personalities make the boutique unique. They do not put on a front, you get our true selves”. Dana adds, “We want to be real! This is who we are, no filters, you get mistakes and all. We hope to inspire others to be real too!” 

Passion for the business is evident when you walk in the boutique. Dana is most passionate about adding wholesale clothing to her “cart” and then spending way too much time narrowing it down when it is time to actually put in an order. Summer pretty much loves all fashion things. She is passionate about this entire adventure. One little known secret about the business is that dressing and undressing the mannequins is not an easy job and it probably looks as awkward as it feels. 

A few tips to help improve your experience include taking a break for yourself, come in and just browse. If you need some girl time, reach out to a friend and spend some quality time together at the boutique. Also, don’t be afraid to ask them for help or for their opinion. They want you to feel confident in the outfit that you chose and want you to feel recharged as you leave the boutique. 

Summer and Dana would also like to thank the two amazing men in their lives that have supported them along the way. They are often the safety bar to this roller coaster of a ride. 

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with More Than Boutique in the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding community.

Sam Switzer Realty – Jennifer Ankney

Posted on by Chamber Admin

Antwerp Chamber of Commerce Spotlight for July is Jennifer Ankney and the Sam Switzer Realty in Hicksville, Ohio 

Jennifer Ankney is the newest Full Time Realtor in Sam Switzer Realty’s Hicksville Office. She comes to real estate with a passion and excitement for helping people buy and sell their homes to start their next big life adventures! She works in the NW Ohio region (Hicksville, Antwerp, Payne, Edgerton, Sherwood, Cecil, Defiance, Edon and beyond), but also has an awesome network of Realtors in NE Indiana to refer to as well if that is where the next stage of your life is taking you.

Jennifer is a graduate of Hicksville High School and was born and raised in this area. She lives in Hicksville with her husband Paul, who also graduated with her Class of 2000. She has two sons and has been active in both the little league program as well as the Huber Opera House since returning to this area in 2017. In summertime, you’ll find her working hard for her clients, in her garden, at the baseball field, or you might even find her performing at various coffee shops and wineries with a high school classmate from time to time.

After almost a year in the business, Jennifer has brought 18 complete transactions to a successful close and helped dozens of people into their new homes! After just nine months, she qualified for the President’s Sales Club award by selling over $1 million worth of real estate. With an excellent attention to detail, she is friendly and helpful, very organized and on top of all situations. Clients have given her an average of 4.9/5 stars on RateMyAgent after completed transactions. When you hire her to work as your agent, you can expect professionalism and hard work that extends beyond the normal 9-5 business hours.

The market can be scary and difficult to navigate right now, and there’s no better help than an outstanding and knowledgeable agent. Jennifer can help you navigate inspections, appraisals, different types of financing, zoning, and title issues as well as connect you with excellent and respected professionals in other areas of this industry. Building? No problem! If you’re thinking about selling, the first step is to give Jennifer a call, and she will come out and suggest a list price for your home by researching comparable sales in the area. If you’re buying, and you need a dedicated agent who will negotiate the best deal for you and help you navigate through the process, Jennifer is your girl. One thing she wishes buyers knew is that we can show you any property in the state of Ohio, even if it’s not listed by our office. 

Give Jennifer a call today at 208-596-9245 or stop by the Hicksville office and see her, and she will get you started and answer all your questions. She can’t wait for YOU to be the next buyer or seller and she is excited to help you along in realizing your dreams.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Jennifer and Sam Switzer Realty for the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding communities.

United Way of Paulding County

Posted on by Chamber Admin

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.

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.