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

Whenever I walk into a local restaurant or business, people don’t recognize me as the Economic Development Director for Defiance County....

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...

Economic development is the lifeblood of a thriving community, driving prosperity, job creation, and overall quality of life. I remember...

(By: Erika Willitzer – Defiance County Economic Development) In any community—be it a neighborhood, workplace, school, or...

(By Erika Willitzer, Defiance County Economic Development) Recently, a young woman contacted the Defiance County 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...

When I interviewed for the role of Executive Director at Defiance County Economic Development, I was asked a pivotal question by the...

It will transform your company and employees By Erika Willitzer (Sponsored by OhioMeansJobs of Defiance County ) One of my friends...

By Erika Willitzer (Article Sponsored by OhioMeansJobs of Defiance County) I have three daughters, and all had a similar experience when...

(By Erika Willitzer, Executive Director of Defiance County Economic Development) Over the last two months, I’ve been asked over 100...

Defiance County Economic Development has been on a mission the last two years to raise enough funds to put up Four Mega American Flags,...

By Erika Willitzer with Defiance County Economic Development – Column sponsored by OhioMeansJobs of Defiance County. The landscape of...

Discovering the Heart and Soul of Defiance, Ohio – We’re More Than Just a Top 10 Micropolitan By Erika Willitzer – Executive Director of...

(By Executive Director - Erika Willitzer) Age is just a number! This age-old saying holds true for the young minds of today. Often,...

Lessons Learned from One Encounter with Rev. Jesse Jackson (By Erika Willitzer – Executive Director of Defiance County Economic...

Executive Director Lists Out Accomplishments 2021 has been a crazy year and that’s a good thing. This was my first full year at Defiance...

(By Erika Willitzer) Agile seems to be the word often thrown out in the world of economic development and business. We have to be...

I’ve been in several visioning meetings the last seven months since starting in my new role as Defiance County’s Economic Development...

As I drive into work each day, the song “Signs” by Tesla starts replaying over and over in my head. Not because I am getting signs...