Turning Dirt at Antwerp Square: Phase 1 Infrastructure Awarded as We Break Ground on Northwest Ohio’s Premier Mixed-Use Community
At MWB Investments, LLC, we are excited to announce a major milestone in turning our vision for Antwerp Square into reality. Following a competitive bidding process, the contract for Phase 1 excavation and infrastructure development has officially been awarded, marking the beginning of the largest residential and commercial growth project Paulding County has seen in decades.
Local contractor Ben Kauser Excavating of Antwerp was selected as the lowest responsible bidder with a winning bid of $1,898,556.00. Bids were formally opened on our behalf by Greg Bockrath of Bockrath and Associates Engineering and Surveying, LLC, coming in well within our $2,300,000 engineering estimate. With earth-moving equipment arriving on-site, weather permitting, active work is launching immediately across approximately 16.5 acres on the south side of the village.
Laying the Foundation for Growth
Phase 1 infrastructure work lays the vital groundwork for Antwerp Square’s initial residential footprint. This phase will deliver essential utility and civil connections, including:
- High-capacity water and sanitary sewer lines
- Natural gas and electric service infrastructure
- High-speed fiber internet infrastructure
- Comprehensive surface-drainage improvements
This initial $2.3 million infrastructure investment is backed by a prestigious grant from the Ohio Department of Development’s Residential Economic Development District (REDD) program. Antwerp Square was one of just five developments selected statewide in the program’s inaugural round.
The state’s selection reflects our site’s strategic location—situated less than 20 miles from the massive First Quality Tissue Paper site at the Defiance–Paulding County border, 15 miles from I-469 in Fort Wayne, and directly along US Route 24, which carries over 17,500 vehicles daily.
“This is the largest residential growth opportunity in decades in the county… This first phase will lead to more phases that will include a commercial and hopefully hotel component of growth. We couldn’t be more excited to see Ben and his team start turning dirt here!” — Tim Copsey, Director of Paulding County Economic Development
Opportunities for Builders, Investors, and Site Selectors
Our 90-acre master-planned development is designed to address the region’s surging demand for high-quality workforce housing and roadside commercial services. As Phase 1 site prep gets underway, MWB Investments is actively engaging development partners across three core sectors:
1. Regional Home Builders (Single-Family & Duplex)
Phase 1 immediately opens shovel-ready land for at least 100 residential units, with the overall master plan supporting up to 345 total residential units across various density options. Our residential subareas offer prime placement directly adjacent to Antwerp Local Schools—a campus featuring a top-tier 5.0 overall achievement rating, a 100% graduation rate, and walkable access for neighborhood families.
2. Multi-Family & Senior Housing Investors
With major industrial employers expanding nearby, the regional need for modern, affordable workforce housing has never been higher. Antwerp Square offers dedicated multi-family subareas engineered for density—ranging from 8 to 16 units per acre—offering multi-family developers turnkey site conditions with all primary utilities stubbed directly to the property line.
3. National Retail & Commercial Site Selectors
Beyond housing, Antwerp Square features 38.3 acres of dedicated commercial and business zoning positioned along US 24. Key commercial opportunities within our master plan include:
- Travel Plaza, Hotel & Restaurant Concepts: Prominent highway-oriented parcels designed for hospitality, conference centers, and travel services.
- Neighborhood Retail & Office: Sites planned for local conveniences, dining, and professional service spaces.
- Business / Flex Space: 5.2 acres set aside for light industrial, flex space, or commercial services.
Partner With MWB Investments
Antwerp Square is more than a development—it is a transformation of Northwest Ohio’s economic corridor along US 24. By combining state infrastructure funding, prime arterial location, and strong community support, we are building a thriving ecosystem where families, local businesses, and regional industries can grow together.
Whether you are a regional home builder looking for your next single-family phase, a multi-family investor seeking strong yield in an underserved housing market, or a commercial site selector eyeing US 24 frontage, we invite you to explore what Antwerp Square has to offer.
Interested in site plans, pad availability, or partnership opportunities?
Contact the MWB Investments development team today to discuss builder allocations and commercial site availability.