Small Nation

05/24/2026

🚨 FOR LEASE IN DOWNTOWN BELLEFONTAINE 🚨

Big potential. Major improvements planned. Incredible visibility.

📍 130 N. Detroit Street
🏢 4,849 SF
🚗 8+ Dedicated Parking Spaces
💲 Approx. $1,850/month

Ownership plans include:
✔️ New Roof
✔️ New Windows
✔️ New Siding
✔️ Exterior Upgrades
✔️ $20,000 Tenant Improvement Allowance

Perfect for office, retail, wellness, salon, studio, or service-based businesses looking to grow in Downtown Bellefontaine.

📞 Keyne Strickland — (937) 565-9944
📧 [email protected]

Learn more:
https://smallnationstrong.com/properties/130-n-detroit-street-bellefontaine-o

05/23/2026

Now available for lease in Downtown Bellefontaine!

143 W. Columbus Avenue offers 1,062 sq. ft. of flexible space that could be perfect for a professional office, boutique retail store, health food or supplement shop, wellness concept, or other unique business idea.

Located in a growing downtown corridor beside BUILD Cowork + Space and surrounded by thriving local businesses.

Lease Rate: $1,500/month

For more information or to schedule a tour:
Keyne Strickland
📞 (937) 565-9944
📧 [email protected]

Property details:
https://smallnationstrong.com/properties/143-w-columbus-avenue-bellefontaine-ohio/

05/18/2026

Such a cool experience and event at The Holland Theatre Congratulations and thank you for the producers, cast and actors, along with the true local hero's celebrated in this movie.

05/14/2026

Check out all of this new public art installed this week in Jackson, Ohio!

05/08/2026

Sometimes the simplest way to create meaningful impact in a community is simply taking a walk-through tour together. Slowing down, walking block by block, and looking at ways we can make spaces cleaner, more attractive, more welcoming, and more memorable. Great communities are built when leaders take time to observe the small details that shape the everyday experience for residents, visitors, and business owners.

We are incredibly thankful to the administration and leadership of Bellefontaine for spending time touring a number of downtown buildings, projects, and opportunities as the community continues conversations around a new comprehensive plan and the future of placemaking in our city.

We are also extremely grateful for community partners like The Logan County Chamber of Commerce, Logan County Visitors Bureau and Downtown Bellefontaine Partnership who participated in the visit and shared thoughtful ideas, insight, and feedback throughout the tour. Strong communities are built through collaboration, and it is encouraging to have organizations working together with a shared vision for the future of downtown Bellefontaine.

One of the highlights was touring the The Historic Opera Block, which is currently undergoing a major transformation with new loft apartments, updated spaces, and exciting long-term investment into the heart of downtown. Projects like this are about more than construction — they are about creating experiences, adding energy, supporting local businesses, attracting residents, and building a downtown people genuinely want to spend time in.

Placemaking matters because people remember how a place feels. The lighting. The storefronts. The walkability. The public art. The music. The patios. The hidden alleys. The gathering spaces. The little moments that make a downtown feel alive.

We’re excited about so many ideas underway and being discussed — from improving pedestrian experiences and activating upper floors, to enhancing outdoor gathering spaces, public art, wayfinding, lighting, landscaping, events, housing, and creating even more reasons for people to explore and stay downtown longer.

The future of great small towns belongs to communities willing to think creatively, collaborate intentionally, and invest in places that bring people together. We’re thankful to be part of that conversation right here in downtown Bellefontaine.

05/08/2026

Today Small Nation had the opportunity to spend time in the Village of Leetonia, Ohio — and what an incredible hidden gem with a powerful story to tell.

Leetonia is one of those communities that reminds you how deeply Ohio’s small towns helped build America’s industrial economy. Founded around iron production, coal mining, railroads, and the famous Cherry Valley Coke Ovens, this village was once a major player in the steel and manufacturing supply chain that powered the Midwest. The surviving coke ovens are now one of the most unique preserved industrial heritage sites in Ohio and a reminder of the hardworking people and industries that shaped this region for generations.

What excites us most is that communities like Leetonia already have something you cannot manufacture — authenticity, character, history, and strong local leadership that believes in the future. There is so much opportunity in preserving historic assets, supporting local businesses, creating destination experiences, and building community pride around the stories that make a place unique.

A special thank you to Mayor Siembida, Executive Assistant Hayley Taylor, and Village Administrator Roman Ferry for the warm welcome, thoughtful conversations, and passion for the future of Leetonia. We are excited to continue the conversation and explore the opportunities ahead together.

Congratulations also to Quaker City Concrete Products on their expansion and celebration today.

Small towns matter. Their stories matter. And communities like Leetonia prove that some of the most meaningful revitalization work happening in America is taking place in places many people have yet to discover.

05/07/2026

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the Upcoming National Rural Economic Developers Association Regional Rural Retreat taking place June 16 and 17tg in Marysville, Ohio. Podcast drop and details about the event are below.👇

🎙 𝐍𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐀 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 - 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭! 🎧

"𝐍𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐀 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞, 𝐎𝐡𝐢𝐨"

In this episode, guest host Jay Buchholz sits down with Jason Duff (Founder/CEO of Small Nation ) and Brad Ebersole (@249066631789225 ) to preview our upcoming 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 in Marysville, Ohio. They dive into the scheduled session topics, learn about the speakers, and provide details on how you can participate in this learning opportunity!

👂🏼 Listen on Libsyn: https://rebrand.ly/ap12rbr

📥 Sign up for the Regional Event on June 16-17: https://rebrand.ly/cvp16f1

05/03/2026

The Columbus region has set a bold goal: 200,000 new homes over the next decade.

That kind of growth won’t come from just one solution—it’s going to take everything. New subdivisions, yes—but also downtown infill, upper-floor housing, adaptive reuse, and unlocking the potential of the buildings we already have.

This is where smaller communities and historic downtowns can play a major role. We’ve seen firsthand how adding even a handful of lofts can transform a block—and a district.

Grateful for the leadership and collaboration from the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio and partners across the region. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment—and an incredible opportunity to build places people truly want to live.

04/19/2026

New Main Street Space in Downtown Bellefontaine coming available soon. Details below.👇

04/14/2026

Pets are family, and Downtown Bellefontaine just got an exciting new place built with that in mind. Wags Bakery & Grooming - Bellefontaine offers fresh baked dog treats, quality grooming, and pet supplies in a beautiful downtown space at 118 N. Main Street. Even better, the story behind it starts with one dog, Buckeye, and the love that inspired owner Suzanne Williams to create something truly special for pets and their people. Grand opening is April 16 at 12 PM.

Learn more about the business and exciting plans they have here: https://downtownbellefontaine.com/2026/04/13/from-one-dogs-story-to-a-downtown-destination-wags-bakery-grooming-opens-in-bellefontaine/

04/09/2026

Today we had the opportunity to host leaders from Fairborn for a visit to Downtown Bellefontaine. It’s a reminder of what happens when communities lean into curiosity, innovation, and listening.

Fairborn is a community with a unique edge—shaped by its proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and home to Wright State University—bringing together innovation, talent, and a strong sense of service. It’s a place where technology, education, and community pride intersect, creating real momentum for growth and opportunity.

The theme of the day centered around real conversations with real business owners—those who are constantly evolving their products, refining their inventory, and rethinking their concepts based on one simple but powerful idea: listen to your customer and respond.

From retail shops to food and beverage, our local entrepreneurs shared how they:
• Test new ideas quickly
• Adapt their offerings based on feedback
• Create experiences you can’t replicate online
• Stay nimble in a constantly changing market

What stood out most is that innovation in small towns doesn’t always mean something flashy—it often means being deeply in tune with your customer and having the courage to evolve.

We’re grateful for the leadership team from Fairborn for spending the day with us, asking great questions, and leaning into what’s possible. This kind of collaboration is exactly how strong communities get even better.

We’re excited to continue the conversation and build on this momentum together.