We help companies create a talent pipeline! We have the resources and the partnerships to help any business establish a state certified apprenticeship - internship program. High School Apprenticeship Programs: APT Manufacturing Solutions APT Manufacturing Solutions training center is host to a two-year on-site state certified training program. First year students are scheduled for Basic Print Reading, Machining and Benchwork classes in the fall semester, followed by Industrial Electricity and PLC 1. The second year students take college courses on Advanced Machining, 3d Modeling, Robotics Programming and Advanced PLC & Communications. The students attend their local high school in the morning and APT in the afternoon. They are learning through both hands-on and classroom environments in the areas of manufacturing basics, machining, electrical engineering, electrical panel building, and robot programming. The program consists of building a robotic packaging cell for a theoretical customer. These classes are open to Central Local School District and Hicksville Exempted Local Schools through the College Credit Plus (CCP) program. Interested high school students should work with their guidance counselors. MEC (Maysville Engineering Corporation) MEC is host to four engineering technology college classes offered at their Defiance facility. Introduction to Engineering and Manufacturing Processes are offered in the fall semester, followed by Engineering Graphics & Sketching and Microprocessors in the spring semester. These four courses provide the student with a foundation to pursue a career in an engineering discipline. These classes are open to high school students in Defiance County through the College Credit Plus (CCP) program. The class is open to anyone in need of technical training in the plastics field. Interested high school students should work with their guidance counselors. B&B Molded Products B&B Molded Products is host to two plastics technology college classes offered at their Defiance facility. PET115 Plastics Processes I is offered in the fall semester followed by PET215 Plastics Processes II in the spring semester. These two courses provide the student with an overview of the injection molding process, materials, support systems and tooling used in the plastics industry using actual production equipment at this location. These classes are open to high school students in Defiance County through the College Credit Plus (CCP) program. The class is open to anyone in need of technical training in the plastics field. Interested high school students should work with their guidance counselors. Apprenticeships Need help in creating a new apprenticeship or internship program at your company? We help companies create a talent pipeline for their workforce development needs! We have the resources and the partnerships to help any business establish a state certified apprenticeship - internship program.

Banks & Credit Unions Citizens National Bank 601 E. Second St. Defiance, Ohio 43512 (419) 782-2032 Website Civista Bank 122 E. Washington St. Napoleon, OH 43545 (567)341-4868 Website F&M Bank 1175 Hotel Dr. Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 782-9421 Website The Hicksville Bank 144 E. High St., PO Box 283 Hicksville, OH 43526 (419) 542-7726 Website Huntington Bank 405 W. 3rd St. Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 782-5050 Website KeyBank 414 W. 2nd St. Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 785-8431 Website Midwest Community Federal Credit Union 8770 OH-66 Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 783-6500 Website Sherwood State Bank 400 W. 3rd St. Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 782-0088 Website Signature Bank N.A. 4607 W Sylvania Ave. Toledo, OH 43623 (419) 841-7773 Website State Bank 401 Clinton St. Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 783-8950 Website Superior Credit Union 8959 St. Rt. 66, Suite B Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 782-0512 Website WesBanco 601 Clinton St. Defiance, OH (419) 782-5130 Website

Our organization offers resources for businesses looking to locate in Defiance County, Ohio. We also help local businesses with their expansion and growth needs. Defiance County is a thriving community with a rich manufacturing history and a dedication to furthering innovation and technology. Mission Statement: Working to Bring High Paying Jobs and New Investment to Defiance County. Our organization offers resources for businesses looking to locate in Defiance County, Ohio. We also help local businesses with their expansion and growth needs. Defiance County is a thriving community with a rich manufacturing history and a dedication to furthering innovation and technology. We invite you to contact our office for all your economic & business development needs. Code of Regulations - CIC Bylaws

From establishing a start-up business to a large expansion project, our office can give you the resources and help you need. Start Your Own Business From business expansions to start-ups our organization can help you with all your economic development needs. One of the first steps in starting a business is developing a business plan. A business plan defines what a company must accomplish, acquire and learn before it gets started. A business plan also can be used as a tool to access capital. It provides information to bankers and future employees about a company’s goals and organizational structure. You can also set up a one-on-one meeting with our business coach. Give us a call at 419-784-4471 or Learn More Here OHIO RESOURCES From Training to Financing Your Business. COMPENSATION DATA Determine Your Compensation Levels with the Facts! SBA Resources for Small Business Owners FILE BUSINESS ONLINE From Ohio's Secretary of State FINANCING YOUR BUSINESS VENTURE List of Ways to Get Your Business Project Financed ON-DEMAND TRAINING SCORE has FREE & Low Cost Training for your Team

Consulting Services Center for Community Impact Defiance, OH (576)218-0928 Website Epiphany Planning & Development Maumee, OH Website

We can help you with your workforce recruitment efforts. We can create a customized workforce strategy plan for your company. We also have software that can recruit for specialized positions. Workforce Development Job Openings Defiance County was the first county in the region to have a dedicated, full-time Workforce Manager. We take pride in engaging with the county schools, area colleges, and employers. The goal is increase knowledge and awareness while building relationships to further Defiance County’s workforce initiative. A modern workforce development system must include strong connections between employers and training providers to ensure a highly skilled, well-educated, competitive, and productive workforce. Though collaboration with local schools, Defiance County is moving forward to help educate the schools and community on what modern manufacturing is and how it plays a significant part in workforce devel opment. Image by LinkedIn Sales Solutions Image by Jesson Mata Image by Karan Bhatia Image by Rob Lambert Image by Greg Rosenke Image by Scott Blake Image by David Siglin Image by Pavel Neznanov Image by Leon Image by Guilherme Cunha Image by Science in HD Image by Crystal Kwok Car Factory Image by Clayton Cardinalli IMG_0754 Workforce Initiatives Summer STEAM Camps Partnering with Northwest State Community College on STEAM summer camps for students in grades 1st through 8th. Learn more Education Defiance County is served by two colleges and a technical career center. In addition, Defiance is within a 100 mile radius of over 80 colleges. View now Apprenticeships/ Internships Defiance County employers are offering apprenticeship and internship programs to help with employee training and retainment. Click here for a list of participating employers. Local Job Postings The most current and up to date job postings in Defiance County can be found right here on our website. To learn more about the amazing opportunities our employers have to offer. Click here

We hold summer camps each year with the intention to make middle school age students aware of the opportunities in Defiance County. Summer STEAM Camps 2024 Camp Video Exciting Changes For 2026! Our previous Summer Manufacturing Camp has been an incredible experience for Defiance County students, bringing together Defiance, Tinora, Ayersville, Hicksville, and Fairview Schools for hands-on learning and industry exploration. New in 2026, Defiance County Economic Development is partnering with Northwest State Community College. NSCC has an extensive camp course listing for grades 1-8. By partnering with them we are able to serve a wider range of grades and offer students choices on camps that are suited to their interests. All camps are STEAM-related, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics. We are committed to sponsoring 25 Defiance County students at $125/each in grades 1-8 for a fully funded camp experience. Through the camp scholarships, we are removing the financial barrier for Defiance County students to participate. One scholarship per student. If your business or organization would like to contribute financially to this program, see more details here . Click here for summer camp flyer

Manufacturing APG 25925 Commerce Dr. Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 785-8600 Website APT Manufacturing 801 Industrial Dr. Hicksville, OH 43526 Website Arc Solutions 605 Industrial Dr. Hicksville, OH 43526 (419) 542-9272 Website Arps Dairy 136 Fox Run Dr. Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 782-9116 Website B&B Molded Products 1250 Ottawa Ave. Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 592-8700 Website Balchem W High St. Defiance, OH 43512 - Website DECKED 25401 Elliott Rd. Defiance, OH 43512 (208) 806-0251 Website Johns Manville 925 Carpenter Rd. Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 784-7000 Website MEC 21 Seneca St. Defiance, OH 43512 (920) 387-4500 Website Nemco Food Equipment 301 Meuse Argonne St. Hicksville, OH 43526 (419) 542-7751 Website Sabre Industries, Inc. 761 W. High St. Hicksville, OH 43526 (419) 542-1420 Website Standridge Color 1160 Integrity Dr. Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 782-2900 Website

Local & State Grant Listings Providing Access to Funding Opportunities LOOKING TO START A NEW PROJECT BUT NEED EXTRA FUNDING... This webpage contains local, regional, state, and national grant opportunities that we have hand selected for you from a VARIETY of industries. Our goal is to have a little bit of something for everyone! Check back each month as we will have new and MORE options! STEAM/RESEARCH/EDUCATION GRANTS USDA Agriculture & Food Research Initiative- Education & Workforce Development ($20,000-750,000): Link Burton Morgan Foundation (College Entrepreneur Grant) Link AEP Foundation- Giving Back: Link Department of Higher Education "Second Chance Grant Program": Link Arthur Vining Davis Foundation ($25,000-300,000): Link Ohio Arts Council ($5,000): Link Society of Aviation & Flight Educators ($500)- Link National Science Foundation (NSF)- Link Research And Software Development: Link Mental Health Programs In Schools: Link Continuing Mental Health Education: Link Tech Items For Schools And Nonprofits: Link Engineering Education For Nonprofits: Link Nonprofit Economic Literacy: Link ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT GRANTS Global Cleantech Challenge: Link USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP): Link Duke Energy Powering Ohio: Link Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative "Concern for Community": Link Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program- Link U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) - American Made Challenges- Link  WORKFORCE & EQUIPMENT GRANTS Firefighter Exposure to Environmental Elements Grants (FEEEG) Program: Link Body Armor Grant: Link Ohio Means Jobs Training & Workforce Grants: Link Workplace Wellness Grant Program: Link U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) - American Made Challenges- Link Disabled Veteran Job Skills: Link SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS Defiance County Economic Development Homegrown Program: Link Women Owned Business Amber Grant: Link Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS- Link Veteran Entrepreneur Grants Link Disabled Veteran Business Development: Link HOUSING & TRANSPORTATION GRANTS Bank of America Economic Mobility Grant: Link AEP Foundation- Giving Back: Link Housing Development Assistant Programs: Link Homes For Veterans-First Responders: Link Tax Credit For EV-Hybrid Vehicles: Link Mortgage Free Homes For Wounded Veterans: Link Disabled Veteran Homes: Link Email Cara@DefianceCountyED.com Phone 419-784-4471 Don't see a grant listed for you... Reach out to Cara Boehm today!

Transportation & Warehousing Keller Logistics Group 1978 Thomas E Keller Blvd. Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 780-3741 Website Kuhn Truck & RV 240 OH-18 Sherwood, OH 43556 (419) 899-2020 Website Pontiac Logistics 20390 CR 424 Defiance, OH 43512 (419) 782-8003 Website

Defiance County has three state of the art hospitals. ProMedica - Defiance, Ohio Mercy Health - Defiance, Ohio The City of Defiance is served by two major hospitals: Defiance Regional Medical Center and Mercy Health — Defiance Hospital . Several medical offices and clinics are located throughout the county as well.

Education Northwest State Community College 22600 State Route 34 Archbold, OH 43502 (419) 267-5511 Website