top of page
Search


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


Governor DeWine Announces Largest Singular Investment in Defiance County History
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik and JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef today announced that First Quality Tissue, a leading manufacturer of hygiene, paper, and packaging products, will build a new ultra-premium towel and tissue production facility in Defiance, marking the largest singular investment and job-creation project in Defiance County history. First Quality Tissue Midwest, LLC will invest
Feb 243 min read


Attracting Top Talent To Defiance County
(By Erika Willitzer, Defiance County Economic Development) Recently, a young woman contacted the Defiance County Economic Development...
Feb 132 min read


How Hot Sticky Buns Are Critical to Economic Development
Defiance County recently played host to a potential new business scouting our area for their next facility. But instead of coming in with...
Jan 262 min read


2024 Recap - How Hollywood’s Brad Pitt is Influencing Defiance County, Ohio.
When I interviewed for the role of Executive Director at Defiance County Economic Development, I was asked a pivotal question by the...
Dec 15, 20243 min read


Give Workplace Loyalty a SHOT
It will transform your company and employees By Erika Willitzer (Sponsored by OhioMeansJobs of Defiance County ) One of my friends...
Nov 14, 20242 min read


Consul General of Japan Judges Ribs at Defiance, Ohio Ribfest
In 2022, Mayor Mike McCann became fast friends with Consul General Shindo at an annual Mayor Association Meeting. From there, Mayor...
Sep 30, 20242 min read


Stop Complaining & Give Our Youth a Chance to Shine!
By Erika Willitzer (Article Sponsored by OhioMeansJobs of Defiance County) I have three daughters, and all had a similar experience when...
Sep 23, 20243 min read


New Housing Recipe
(By Erika Willitzer, Executive Director of Defiance County Economic Development) Over the last two months, I’ve been asked over 100...
Jul 31, 20243 min read


Four Flags of Freedom to Serve as a Beacon of Patriotism
Defiance County Economic Development has been on a mission the last two years to raise enough funds to put up Four Mega American Flags,...
Jul 1, 20242 min read


Revitalization Of Historic Defiance Building Expected To Spur Downtown Development
Blog post by: Regional Growth Partnership Northwest Ohio Renovations have begun at an iconic downtown Defiance building, setting the stage for what many believe will spur further development in the Northwest Ohio community. Located at the corner of Clinton and Second streets, the three-story building is situated at the busiest intersection in Defiance. Planning for the renovated historic structure is slated to be a mixed-use development, including a restaurant, office space a
Jul 1, 20242 min read
bottom of page







.png)




