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Serving Coffee, Building Community: The Strausbaugh Award-Winning Biggby Story
Pictured: Megan Strausbaugh, Stan Strausbaugh, Sue Strausbaugh with the Big B Cup Award “It’s hard to say there’s a better Biggby story than this.” – Michael McFall, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Biggby Coffee. After nearly twenty years in business, The Strausbaugh Family has been honored with the highest recognition a Biggby Coffee owner/operator can receive- The Big B Cup Award. Presented at the 2025 Biggby Coffee Annual Conference, this award is hand-selected by Biggby Co-CEOs
Nov 53 min read


FROM AI GIRLFRIENDS TO IDIOCRACY: WHY REAL CONVERSATIONS STILL MATTER
Executive Director Monthly Column: I was watching the morning news when a story came on about the rising trend of AI girlfriends and boyfriends—apparently, they’re becoming popular with both teens and adults. I glanced over at my 17-year-old daughter and asked if she’d heard of it. She gave me that classic teen side-eye and said, “Uh—yeah, that’s a thing,” like I’d just discovered texting. These AI boyfriends and girlfriends engage in personalized conversations, remember det
Oct 252 min read


Fall in Love with Defiance County, OH: Your Perfect Autumn Weekend Guide
Defiance County is a place of quiet beauty and vibrant community, no matter the season. Winter hushes the landscape under a blanket of...
Sep 223 min read


Defiance County Released the 2024 Community Health Assessment: What does the health of Defiance County residents look like?
Defiance County Released the 2024 Community Health Assessment: What does the health of Defiance County residents look like? POWER...
Sep 103 min read


Momentum Builds at Defiance College with Growth in Students and Programs
DEFIANCE, OH – This fall, Defiance welcomed a class of over 300 new students marking the College’s third-largest incoming class since...
Sep 42 min read


A Home with Heart: Legacy Living Defiance Creates Meaningful Senior Living Complex
Keeping a sense of home and community is something everyone wants for their loved ones as they get older. Legacy Living Defiance, a new retirement and assisted living facility, is working to create such an atmosphere at its location on Latchaw Drive in Defiance. “Our culture is truly different,” stated Iyan Pelfree, leasing director of Legacy Living. He emphasized that individuals with Legacy Living take into account the culture of families and communities while working to cr
Aug 284 min read


Tessenderlo Kerley Unveils Cutting-Edge Fertilizer Facility in Defiance, Ohio
Defiance, OH — August 21, 2025 — Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. has officially opened its newest liquid fertilizer production plant in Defiance, Ohio, marking a major leap forward in sustainable agriculture for North America. Photo by Tessenderlo Kerley Strategically built on a 50-acre site, the advanced facility will manufacture key crop nutrients—Thio-Sul®, KTS®, and K-Row 23®—to support growers across the U.S. and Canada. This expansion not only boosts cross-border access to hi
Aug 201 min read


Buzzing Beyond the Books: A Yellow Jacket’s Guide to Defiance County Fun
As the Yellow Jackets get ready to return to Defiance College, it’s important to remember they can buzz around more than just the campus....
Aug 184 min read


Lights, Camera, Action for Defiance County, Ohio?
Whenever I walk into a local restaurant or business, people don’t recognize me as the Economic Development Director for Defiance County....
Jul 302 min read


Living a Legacy in Defiance County
When it comes to community legacies, Defiance County residents are legends in their own right. Having a community legacy means living...
Jul 285 min read


Future Vision: Every 4th Grader in Defiance County as Published Authors?
It could happen with the help of AI. Earlier this month, I was invited to attend the 2025 Jacket Summit at Defiance College. The Summit...
Jun 222 min read


Northwest Ohio Mechanical Contractor Opening New Fabrication Facility
A leading full-service mechanical contracting firm has announced plans for a new facility in Defiance, Ohio, to meet increased demand and significant growth opportunities within the industry. (News Release From RGP) Titan Mechanical has purchased a new facility that will add 30,000 square feet of fabrication space. The company is investing more than $3 million and creating 24 new jobs, allowing it to have a larger footprint in the western corridor of the 17-county region. Ti
Jun 102 min read


The Winning Formula
Economic development is the lifeblood of a thriving community, driving prosperity, job creation, and overall quality of life. I remember...
May 62 min read


Bud's Pie - A Fan Favorite Throughout the Region and Based in Defiance
There’s always room for pie … especially if it comes from Bud’s in Defiance. For more than 85 years, Bud ’s Restaurant has been providing...
May 63 min read


Homegrown Small Business Grant Winners Announced
Defiance County’s Economic Development recently announced the latest round of small business grant winners, proudly sponsored by Premier...
Apr 171 min read


Kissner's - A Defiance County Treasure!
Just mention the sculptured wooden bar, friendly atmosphere or maybe a Tom & Jerry and everyone in Defiance knows what’s being talked...
Apr 35 min read


Attention Hotheads - The Power of Respect Can Make All the Difference
(By: Erika Willitzer – Defiance County Economic Development) In any community—be it a neighborhood, workplace, school, or...
Mar 212 min read


FAQs about First Quality Coming to Defiance County, Ohio
If your question isn't listed, please email: Erika@DefianceCountyED.com Where is the Mega Site? First Quality wants to site their next...
Feb 267 min read
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