By Paula Pyzik Scott

The March 2025 breakfast meeting for Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce meetings began with a lively meal and networking session that left director Jim Enneking looking for someone who could whistle really loudly.

A drawing by breakfast sponsor Lisa Wenger of CCR Realtors for a gift basket from 1861 Wine Lounge helped get guests’ attention. Wenger also shared that she is celebrating 11 years of doing business in Bluffton.

CHAMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Enneking introduced Rene Gabriel, the chamber’s new assistant director. She is originally from Arlington and graduated from Bluffton University. 

The last indoor Bluffton Farmers Market has taken place. Market manager Greg Probst will hold a vendors meeting at 7:00 p.m. on April 3 and will have updated agreements to distribute. The outdoor market next to Citizens National Bank on Main St. will begin on May 3.  MORE ▶︎

Because of the growing number of participants for the BCE Small Business series, classes have been moved to the Bluffton Middle School library with assistance from technology coordinator Courtnee Morris.   

Enneking also pointed out that Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting is back in effect, with forms required to be filed by March 21. For more information, visit https://fincen.gov/boi/

MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Middle School Principal Doug Westrick announced that the school is introducing an 8th grade Shark Tank project and will invite local businesses to be part of the review panels.

New Bluffton EMS chief Noah Babcock introduced himself. Babcock fills the new full-time position that was supported by Bluffton voters in November 2024. He has been a Bluffton University football coach for four years and lives in Ottawa.

Ohio Means Jobs Business Services Manager Trent Wise announced that there is a marketing intern available for the Bluffton area during summer 2025.

PROGRAM
The chamber welcomed Allen County Commissioners Cory Noonan, Beth Siebert and Brian Winegardener for an annual report to chamber members. Their program focused on capital projectss including the commencement of work on a new administration building at the corner of North and Main streets in Lima, across from the historic courthouse, which was built c. 1881.

Groundbreaking for the new building took place in January 2025 and the anticipated opening is in July 2026. The old courthouse will then undergo a major renovation with the courts moving into the new administration building, which will have three floors and a full basement. While the courts operate from the new building, it will operate under courthouse security rules. Courthouse renovation plans would have it reopened by 2031, its 150th anniversary.

Who are your Allen County Commissioners? All three introduce themselves as coming from the agriculture community. 

Brian Winegartner ([email protected]) is from eastern Allen County and the Allen East Schools where he participated in 4-H, FFA and showed at the fair. He worked in law enforcement for 30 years in the Sheriff’s Office  and served as Chief Deputy for four years. He was appointed as a replacement for Commissioner Greg Sneary in 2020.

Beth Siebert ([email protected]) now lives in Lima but is originally from Spencerville, where she was raised on a small family farm.  She became a commissioner after a career with the Allen Soil and Water Conservation District. She sits on many boards and committees and as commissioner makes appointments to 23 boards, some 130 representatives. If you are interested in serving on a board, Siebert is the person to contact.

Cory Noonan ([email protected]) grew up on a family farm in Delphos and still bales hay each year. While in college at Ohio State University, he fell into working at the State House where he says “he saw how the sausage is made.” He was district deputy director in Lima for Congressman Jim Jordan for six years, then was elected commissioner in 2012.

During a Q&A session, the commissioners touched on a Bluffton project made possible by the Allen County Land Bank, funding the demolition of Burky Hall on the Bluffton University campus. In response to questions about a Target going into the Lazarus/Macy’s store location, they said, “We tell everyone don’t tell us anything we can’t say in public.” While the location is not yet listed on the Target website, the land purchase was announced by area media in February 2025 and a grant will fund the demolition of the former department store.