Two Paulding County companies in Northwest Ohio recently announced expansions through the assistance of the JobsOhio Inclusion Grant (JOIG) that will support these manufacturing and service projects. The JOIG provided grant funding to the two projects in the amount of $50,000. Those dollars supported the creation of eight new jobs and the retention of 23 jobs.

The JobsOhio Inclusion Grant provides support for eligible projects in designated distressed communities and/or for businesses owned by underrepresented populations across the state.

"Soybeans are Ohio's top exported agriculture product, so we are very excited to welcome LDC to Upper Sandusky. This new facility will not only bring in new jobs, but it will also lead to new avenues for growth and innovation in Ohio's agricultural sector."

– Mike DeWine, Ohio Governor

Both Northwest Ohio businesses receiving the JobsOhio Inclusion Grants are located in the city of Paulding:

  • Kohart Surplus & Salvage, Inc. – Kohart Surplus & Salvage, Inc. recycles scrap metal and other materials to create raw materials for steel companies. This project will allow the company to increase productivity and capabilities to further process and sort materials and to substantially increase value. Total investment exceeds $800,000 and will lead to the creation of four new jobs.
  • Schlatter’s LLC – Schlatter’s Plumbing & Heating specializes in repair and installation of plumbing, heating and HVAC equipment. The company is looking to expand its facility, adding training space for existing and new employees. The investment exceeding $150,000 will allow the company to add four new positions.

“Both of these Paulding County businesses play a major role in the economy of Paulding County today.  It is imperative for continued economic development of our county that we find ways to help our existing small businesses find ways to sustain, strengthen and grow,” said Tim Copsey, director, Paulding County Economic Development. “We appreciate everything that the Regional Growth Partnership, our northwest Ohio arm of JobsOhio, does to promote these opportunities and helps get them over the finish line.  It is reassuring to know that small, existing Ohio businesses have a business support partner in Ohio too.”

Grant decisions for the program are based on several project factors, including but not limited to company location, company ownership, jobs created and/or retained, and project fixed asset investment. Support is generally intended for small to medium-sized companies with eligible projects.

“The Regional Growth Partnership is proud to help facilitate the JobsOhio Inclusion Grant which supports communities that may be struggling to compete,” said Dean Monske, president & CEO of the RGP. “This grant helps companies attract more private investment and create new opportunities for people within the community.”

To learn more about the JobsOhio Inclusion Grant program, please visit rgp.org/joig

The Regional Growth Partnership is the lead economic development organization serving 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. As a private nonprofit development corporation, the RGP is dedicated to fostering regional, national and international business investment opportunities across the region. The RGP serves as Northwest Ohio’s network partner for JobsOhio.

JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com.