June 2026 – Rural economic development professionals from across the country gathered in Marysville and Bellefontaine on June 16-17 for the National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA) Regional Event, Making Regional Impact Through Rural Routes: Rural Strategies for Destination Development.
The event welcomed approximately 40 attendees […]
Columbus, Ohio – The Opera Block in downtown Bellefontaine, Ohio, will receive a $2.17 million redevelopment led by Small Nation, aided by a JobsOhio Vibrant Community Grant. The project will turn the 17,850 square feet area into a mixed-use space, including co-working, retail, office space, and more.
The […]
By Walker Evans
Renovated historic apartment buildings, hip local restaurants, quaint boutique stores and even a coworking spot and axe-throwing venue. No, we’re not talking about the Short North or Easton Town Center or Bridge Park in Dublin. This is what you’ll find if you make a 60-minute drive northwest to Bellefontaine, Ohio (pop. 14,115).
Over the past decade, a dedicated group […]
Step into Just U’NeeQ in downtown Bellefontaine and you’ll discover a warm and welcoming space with a charming farmhouse flair. The home décor shop is cozy and comfortable, eclectic and inviting. Kind of country … but cooler.
The aptly named shop is indeed unique. It offers everything from handcrafted wooden “welcome” posts to whimsical artwork of […]
Small-town love. Farm-bred beliefs. And a keen sense of what makes a business work … even in the worst of times.
Those are some of the key values that Eli Wagler and Jacob Badenhop have relied on to help small business owners in Bellefontaine weather the COVID-19 storm.
In downtown Bellefontaine, an award-winning pizzeria is pairing unique and unlikely ingredients to create one of its most popular specialty pizzas called The Main Event. But the pizza itself reflects another unique pairing: two very different young women business owners whose combined efforts result in the distinctively sweet-and-spicy offering.
There’s Brittany Saxton, mom of three kids […]
We’re big on small towns here. We find them to have something unique that draws you in, that makes you wonder what drives the town and gives passion to the people, that compels you to get to know their heart and soul. These small towns share one fundamental element: local businesses. From the food to the shopping to the attractions […]
Back in the day, folks in Bellefontaine picked up the newspaper – plus a little gossip, some penny candy and maybe a magazine or two – at Jackson’s News Stand. The iconic gathering place was eventually shuttered and torn down, but a brand-new spot for people to come together is now opening its doors on the same downtown corner. Fittingly […]
If you’ve been a tourist before, no matter in big cities or small towns, you know that crucial question you must always ask—”where do the locals eat?” Whether it’s the gas station attendant or a passerby on the street, you need a local to relay you the intel. You need to find out what’s hot and what’s not and where […]
Bellelfontaine, OHIO – Today, Small Nation Founder & CEO Jason Duff submitted testimony in support of Ohio House Bill 669, which features a variety of provisions to support the independent restaurants and downtowns across the state of Ohio. The bill was introduced by Reps. DJ Swearingen and Jeff LaRe. […]