08/24/2026
Thanks for visiting Team Yellow Springs!
Last week I went on an economic development field trip to Bellefontaine to meet with Small Nation and learn more about the work they’ve done to help revitalize their downtown. I first learned about their model at the last YSDC meeting, when Phillip (YS Chamber) brought them into the conversation. I was intrigued, which probably says way too much about what I consider fun these days. Nia (PZ Director, who showed up to drop knowledge on a different topic) also mentioned that Small Nation had a podcast, and I’ve been hiking my way through the episodes. I was excited to finally go see the work in person this past Thursday.
Local business owners Don & Christine Beard attended as well. If I remember correctly, Christine (also with YS Chamber and YSDC) had been on a previous tour with a group from Fairborn, so she even led us on a mini tour after the main one. We all had dinner outside at one of the restaurants we toured and had a great conversation about what they’re doing up there, what could translate here, and what that might look like. Needless to say, we were all impressed and inspired.
What stands out about Small Nation is that their model goes far beyond simply renovating buildings. They work with existing businesses, help incubate new ones, and sometimes actively recruit entrepreneurs when they see a need that could strengthen a particular block or part of downtown. We toured several businesses they’ve helped along the way, including one that started as a food truck and was helped into a brick-and-mortar space after consistently selling out. One of the many things Small Nations founder Jason Duff explained was how finding a strong business to fill a gap can help the businesses around it as well. I’ll tell ya - I nerd out pretty hard listening to and learning from people with vision AND follow through. It is so easy to come up with ideas - not so easy to make them happen.
And then there were the little things. They talked about signage, sidewalk seating, paint colors, planters, storefronts, and other small touches throughout downtown that may not sound like economic development on their own, but collectively make a place feel welcoming, active, and intentional. We know that here - our trash cans, fire hydrants, murals, and all those details we love about our downtown. It was a wonderful example of how the bigger work and the small details can reinforce each other. It all matters.
It was a day full of information and inspiration. I’m excited to return to the YSDC table with some informed enthusiasm and look forward to finding ways to implement some of these ideas on a scale that makes sense for the Village. There are a few other organizations doing work similar to Small Nation, so we have no shortage of homework options if we are serious about improving and nurturing our downtown.
YSDC is a CIC - basically a nonprofit economic development organization that can help turn community development ideas into actual projects. In other words, it can be a vehicle for implementation, helping move worthwhile ideas from daydream to reality by figuring out the partners, property, funding, and next steps needed to make something happen. I’m no expert by any means, but I am a quick study, and I’m excited to contribute wherever I can as YSDC works to move good ideas and brainstorming toward real action.
This trip was also a good reminder that work on Council is very broad. We are thinking about everything from housing stability and infrastructure to local businesses, economic development, public spaces, and what helps keep downtown healthy and active. The trip to Bellefontaine gave us a chance to dig deeper into one piece of that bigger picture - how intentional support for entrepreneurs, businesses, and underused spaces can help strengthen the community in multiple ways.
Yellow Springs is definitely its own unique place, and the goal is never to copy another community. But there is a lot of value in seeing what others are doing well, discussing what might translate here, and bringing useful ideas home. It was super motivating to see the work that has been done in Bellefontaine, all because a few people got tired of waiting for someone to save their downtown and decided to roll up their sleeves and get to work.
*pics of downtown Bellefontaine, including the very cool dining room of the food truck turned brick-and-mortar restaurant, The Morning Riot, and a brand new mural they were having an opening for that same day
