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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


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


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


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


Four Flags of Freedom: A Lasting Tribute to Our Local Veterans
The Four Flags of Freedom project has finally been completed in Defiance County, Ohio, and stands as a powerful and moving tribute to the brave men and women who have served our country with honor and courage. Four towering 120-foot flagpoles hoist enormous 30'x60' flags, each one a stirring symbol of the sacrifices made by our local veterans. As you drive past this awe-inspiring monument, you can't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude and respect for those who have given
Jan 225 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


First of Four Flags of Freedom Goes Up in Defiance, Ohio
Defiance, OH - The towering "Four Flags of Freedom" veteran monument in Defiance, Ohio is a striking new landmark that was dedicated in a...
Jun 18, 20242 min read


Arps Dairy Opens New Retail Shoppe
Have a yearning for a refreshing Arps Dairy product or something more? There’s a perfect place in Defiance. Arps Dairy Gift Shoppe has...
Jun 10, 20243 min read


The Quirky Workforce Trends of 2024…So Far
By Erika Willitzer with Defiance County Economic Development – Column sponsored by OhioMeansJobs of Defiance County. The landscape of...
Apr 29, 20242 min read
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