Antwerp Chamber of Commerce – Antwerp Chamber of Commerce

Antwerp Chamber of Commerce Awards 2026 Vantage Scholarships

Posted on April 30, 2026 by Chamber Admin

ANTWERP – The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Antwerp Chamber Vantage Scholarships, recognizing two outstanding graduating seniors for their dedication, achievements, and commitment to their future careers. This year’s recipients, Lyla Clem and Griffin Kosch, were each awarded $500 to support their continued education and career development. Scholarships were presented during Antwerp High School’s Senior Awards Night on April 29, 2026.

Lyla Clem, a Vantage cosmetology student, is the daughter of Regan and Lindsay Clem and holds a 3.615 GPA. Throughout her high school career, Clem has been actively involved in her community, volunteering at Riverside Christian Church where she assists with children’s classes and youth group activities. She has also volunteered during Antwerp’s Halloween hotdog giveaway and spends her summers working at Lake James Christian Camp.

Clem plans to pursue a career in cosmetology by working in a salon, building a strong client base, and continuing her education through additional certifications. Looking ahead, she hopes to one day own her own salon. She has expressed a passion for working hands-on with clients and helping others feel confident and valued, emphasizing that cosmetology is about more than appearance—it is about connection and care.

Her Vantage instructor described Clem as an engaged and dedicated student who consistently gives her best effort. She serves as a student ambassador and will represent Vantage in an upcoming international exchange. Known for her positive attitude and strong character, she has made a lasting impression on both her peers and instructors.

Griffin Kosch, a Vantage electricity student, is the son of Greta and Jeremy Kosch and maintains a 3.7 GPA. Kosch has developed a strong work ethic through hands-on experience working with his grandfather, Pudge Kennedy, at Kennedy Trenching & Excavating, as well as performing maintenance work at Maumee Cemetery. These experiences helped instill values of precision, responsibility, and respect.

Kosch has also been active in community service through Student Council initiatives, including village service projects and fundraising efforts for Christmas for Kids. Following graduation, he plans to attend a lineman academy in Milford, Ohio, before pursuing an apprenticeship with an electrical provider such as AEP or Paulding Putnam. His long-term goal is to earn his journeyman certification and become a highly skilled and dependable lineman.

Kosch chose the Vantage electrical program after being encouraged by his grandfather and discovering the opportunities available in the field. His instructor praised him as a natural leader who leads by example, earns the respect of his peers, and consistently demonstrates a positive attitude and strong work ethic. His ability to contribute meaningfully in both school and community settings sets him apart.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce Vantage Scholarship is designed to assist graduating Vantage Career Center seniors who reside in the Antwerp Local School District and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship provides reimbursement funds to help cover initial costs associated with tools, certifications, licensure, or further education in their chosen career field.

Funding for the scholarship is made possible through the annual Cutie Pie Contest, held each summer during the Day in the Park event at Riverside Veterans Memorial Park in Antwerp.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce congratulates Lyla Clem and Griffin Kosch on their achievements and looks forward to seeing their continued success in the years ahead.

September Antwerp Chamber Business Spotlight: Kim Kemerer – Independent Consultant for Norway & L’BRI

Posted on September 18, 2024 by Chamber Admin

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for September is one of our Independent Consultants in Antwerp, Ohio.

Kim Kemerer is an independent consultant for two businesses which she manages out of her home.

Norwex provides sustainable cleaning products and a clean without chemicals style of home care. Explore safer options with advanced microfiber cloths, mops and plant- and enzyme-powered cleaning solutions. Norwex uses microfiber which is densely woven, superfine and physically removes up to 99% of bacteria from a surface using only water when following proper care and use instructions. The company has been in the business for 30 years and contains products from cloths to mops to skin care products. Removing harmful chemicals can mean less long-term impact to your health. It also means less chemicals going into the ground, our waterways and the planet.

L’BRI is a pure and natural skin care based company that has been in the skin care business for 26 years. Our Aloe-First philosophy makes a real difference to your skin, hair, body, and overall wellness. Aloe Vera attracts and locks in vital moisture to Rebuild, Regenerate and Restore from the inside out. Nature’s healer, Aloe Vera, has been proven for centuries to strengthen cellular integrity, increase collagen production and nourish the whole body with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antiseptic protection. We believe natural beauty lies within the power of Aloe Vera, and your success lies in putting Aloe First.

Kim was motivated to start this journey due to health issues she had and the need to turn to a better, safer way to clean her home and help her skin in a more natural way. She honestly is not as interested in selling the products but in teaching the benefits of the item. This attitude has allowed her to build relationships with her clients and to help them solve their problems both men and women alike.

Kim is always available. She is open 24 hours a day to help answer questions about products and to inform her customers in the many benefits both of her companies have to offer. Customers keep coming back because of that personal touch and of course the new items and tips that the companies offer. She truly cares about helping people.

Both of her companies operate in all 50 states. Kim stands behind both Norwex and L’BRI. She is proud that she is upfront and honest with people. “I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I wasn’t upfront with my people”, states Kim. She is most passionate about changing lives, one face at a time. Making friendships is very important with each lady that she talks with. Whether you join her, host a party or place an order, she is very grateful for the support.

L’BRI is the only company in Direct Sales that offers a 10 day supply, FREE sample program. They have a 60 day money back guarantee once you purchase the product and Kim is there to help you every step of the way. After using L’BRI for several years, her skin feels so soft that she wonders why she did not try L’BRI sooner. L’BRI products combine the best time-tested, proven science and nature’s purest benefits. We are committed to formulating products as naturally as possible to ensure stability and performance, including fragrance blends that gently enhance the L’BRI customer experience.

Norwex believes in a safer, cleaner and better way to live and their mission statement supports that belief. “We believe that all of us need to be more mindful of the presence of chemicals in our everyday lives and the potential impact these harmful chemicals can have on our health, environment and planet. We believe that we all can take small steps to protect our health and the health of future generations by reducing exposure to chemicals in our daily lives. By staying true to our Norwegian heritage, we believe we can all take small steps to create a cleaner, safer and better way to live. We offer more than cleaning and personal care products; we advocate a simpler, more natural and sustainable way of living, free of unnecessary toxins and waste.”

You can trust Kim to advise you on the best products for a cleaner and healthier approach to purchasing products for yourself and your home. You can contact Kim via her personal Facebook page at Kim Polter Kemerer. To place an order for L’BRI- www.lbri.com/kkemerer. To place an order for Norwex www.norwex.com/kimkemerer, You can also email Kim at kemerer@paulding-net.com.

The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Kim Kemerer with Norwex and L’BRI in the growth of Antwerp and the surrounding community.

Antwerp Mural Project Complete!

Posted on August 1, 2023 by Chamber Admin

Antwerp’s first mural is complete. It has been such an exhilarating experience for the entire village to watch as the south side of Friend Flooring building was transformed from a plain stucco wall into a masterpiece of art. In the words of an admirer of the Mural, “It’s hard to tell where the sky stops and the mural begins!”
Antwerp Chamber of Commerce and its supporting business community as well as private citizens and nonprofit organizations funded this work of public art. Chamber Mural Committee gave generously of their time to research, plan, schedule, fundraise for and oversee this worthy community beautification project.
Morrow Painting shifted their spring schedule around just to fit in this project to prepare the wall for the artist by pressure washing and priming with the base coat (that bright blue). After the Chamber rented a lift for a week for the artist, Rain Tech Seamless Gutters donated the use of their lift truck for the artist’s use — this saved a large chunk of funds for this project — thank you Steve!
Artist Tim Parsley – it was a pleasure to work with you on this beautiful mural. Your talent is magnificent and the village is in your debt for this masterstroke.
Ray Friend (Friend Flooring) — kudos to you and yours for allowing The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce to put this mural on your building.
This mural can be interpreted many ways and that is the beauty of art. No two persons who stop to marvel at the wonderful scene walks away with the same review. Some said the Eagle represented the potential growth for the village of Antwerp and the bright future it promises. Others are appreciative of the river scene which spruces up the downtown area. The painting is so realistic in its application that it looks like a movie screen — but it’s a painting. It says “Welcome to Antwerp” without saying welcome to Antwerp.
An epic wonder to elicit awe of the area while visiting Antwerp — this was the goal of the Chamber Mural committee in completing this project. A beautification for the Village residents and visitors that will last decades.
For those unfamiliar with Antwerp, this mural is located at the intersection of SR 49 and CR 424 right in the center of the village of Antwerp. If you come into town from any direction — North, South, East or West, you can’t miss it.