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Originally aired February 24, 2023

Doug Jenkins is back with another Best Of episode of Chamber Amplified, and this one is a must-listen for anyone thinking about downtown development, small town revitalization, and building momentum in local communities.

In this episode, Doug sits down with Jason Duff, founder of Small Nation in Bellefontaine, Ohio, to unpack how one small town went from struggling storefronts to a thriving destination through incremental development, local entrepreneurship, and private investment.

Jason shares what actually moves the needle in rural communities: creating gathering places, reducing fear around competition, and building a critical mass of businesses that makes a downtown a destination. The conversation also connects the dots to communities like McComb and other small towns that have the “bones” to grow again - if the right vision and investment come together.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What Small Nation does and why their model focuses on “places, spaces, and dreams”
• How Bellefontaine went from 80% vacant first floors to real downtown momentum
• Why restaurants and gathering spaces often serve as catalyst projects
• The “critical mass” effect: how more businesses can increase traffic for everyone
• Real results from Bellefontaine’s transformation:
  • 56 historic buildings renovated
  • 7 new restaurants launched
  • 34 upper-floor loft apartments created
  • 20+ specialty retail stores added
  • $30M in new private capital invested (without public subsidies)
• Why fear of competition slows growth - and how communities overcome it
• What small towns can do Monday–Thursday vs. how they can win on weekends
• Why remote work, quality-of-life amenities, and community identity matter more than ever

Guest:

Jason Duff — Founder, Small Nation (Bellefontaine, OH)
🌐 smallnationstrong.com
🎧 Small Nation Podcast (available on Apple Podcasts + major platforms)

Great for listeners interested in:

Downtown development, community revitalization, rural economic development, small business growth, tourism strategy, placemaking, and entrepreneurship in small towns.

Chamber Amplified is a podcast from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, featuring practical conversations that help local businesses and communities grow.

Have a topic idea for a future episode?
📧 Doug Jenkins: djenkins@findlayhancockchamber.com

Music and sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com