Editing Bellefontaine, Ohio (section)

=== Revitalization ===
In 2012 local real estate developer Small Nation purchased and renovated the former J.C. Penney building. Since then, the organization invested over $33 million in renovating over 56 downtown buildings and attracting new businesses to the area.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Downtown Bellefontaine nominated for HGTV series|url=http://www.peakofohio.com/news/details.cfm?id=298829|access-date=2020-10-21|website=Peak of Ohio}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=STAFF|first=BELLEFONTAINE EXAMINER|title=Thinking small yields big downtown expansion|date=February 29, 2020 |url=https://www.examiner.org/thinking-small-yields-big-downtown-expansion/|access-date=2020-10-21|language=en-US}}</ref> The investment into the properties created roughly 200 jobs in the city.<ref name=":0" /> In 2018, Bellefontaine was classified as an [[Opportunity zone|Opportunity Zone]] to further attract investors to the area.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Opportunity Zone {{!}} Logan County Chamber of Commerce|url=https://www.logancountyohio.com/ed-oz.html|access-date=2020-10-21|website=www.logancountyohio.com}}</ref> Neighboring areas have begun using Bellefontaine as a model to attract more investment in their own towns.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sanctis|first=Matt|title=Urbana looks to Bellefontaine as model of redevelopment|url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/urbana-looks-bellefontaine-model-redevelopment/9VvjkEM3eoLEKZF3iVFAPO/|access-date=2020-10-21|website=springfield-news-sun|language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, Bellefontaine was named one of Ohio's Best Hometowns by Ohio Magazine for its downtown redevelopment efforts, thriving sense of community and appreciation for preserving local history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shiffler |first=Matt |title=Best Hometowns 2022: Bellefontaine |url=https://www.ohiomagazine.com/ohio-life/best-hometowns/article/best-hometowns-2022-bellefontaine |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=www.ohiomagazine.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, Bellefontaine's Christmas parade included a [[drag queen]] and over 60 residents opposed their appearance at a City Council meeting,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-24 |title=Christmas parade dominates public comments |url=https://www.peakofohio.com/local-news/christmas-parade-dominates-public-comments |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=Peak of Ohio |language=en-US|author-first1=Kris|author-last1=Allen}}</ref> prompting drag queens and supporters attending a later council meeting in support.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schneck |first=Ken |date=2023-01-25 |title=Ohioans show up in force to address city council to argue for drag queen, inclusion in holiday parade |url=https://thebuckeyeflame.com/2023/01/25/ohioans-show-up-in-force-to-address-city-council/ |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=The Buckeye Flame |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023, the opposing residents began pushing for a city ordinance that would classify drag performances as ‘adult entertainment,' making it one of the first municipalities in Ohio to do so.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kendall |first=Crawford |date=2023-06-14 |title=Bellefontaine's debate around drag queens |url=https://news.wosu.org/2023-06-14/one-ohio-rural-communitys-debate-around-drag-queens |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=WOSU News |language=en}}</ref> The Ohio Supreme Court unanimously ruled to remove the measure from the ballot when petitioners changed the ballot language after circulating petitions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Election 2023: Ohio Supreme Court scraps proposed drag show ban from city's ballot |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2023/10/09/ohio-supreme-court-scraps-proposed-drag-ban-from-bellefontaine-ballot/71117704007/ |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US}}</ref>