BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio – The story of Bellefontaine is the story of many small towns in Ohio: Vibrant downtown declines, leaving vacant buildings and empty storefronts.

This story, however, has an unexpected ending: Downtown makes a comeback and becomes a magnet for locals and visitors.

“During the week, it’s mostly locals. On the weekend, we really see an uptick in visitors,” said Andrea Wrocklage, president of the Downtown Bellefontaine Partnership and the owner of several local businesses. “There’s enough here and there’s something for everyone.”

It didn’t happen by accident.

Bellefontaine (pronounced bell-fountain), population about 14,100, might be the Ohio poster child for a small-town turnaround.

Many credit local developer Jason Duff with the vision for much of Bellefontaine’s

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