Kenton High School BPA Students Explore Downtown Revitalization and Entrepreneurship in Bellefontaine

KENTON, OHIO — Students from the Kenton High School Business Professionals of America (BPA) club recently traveled to Downtown Bellefontaine for an immersive educational trip focused on entrepreneurship, historic preservation, and community revitalization.

The Kenton BPA  students were hosted by Kayne Strickland of Small Nation, a local organization renowned for developing and revitalizing historic downtowns. Strickland guided the group on a walking tour through several of Bellefontaine’s historic buildings, detailing the stories behind their architectural transformations and the strategy required to breathe new life into older spaces while respecting their history.”This was an incredible opportunity for our students to see real-world business strategies in action,” said Mr. Wes Goldsmith. “Kayne did a fantastic job showing our BPA class not just what revitalization looks like, but why it matters to the community. It’s vital for the next generation to understand the impact of preserving our local history.”

During the visit, students had the unique opportunity to step inside various local storefronts and hear directly from business owners about what it really takes to operate and grow a brand in a downtown setting. A notable highlight of the tour was connecting with Jamie Burton, owner of Allways Brewin’, who took time out of her day to share firsthand experiences of entrepreneurship with the highly engaged group.

Strickland noted the students’ high level of engagement and curiosity, praising the class for paying close attention and asking insightful questions about the intersection of business and community development.

“We are incredibly grateful to Kayne Strickland, Small Nation, Jamie Burton, and all the Bellefontaine business owners who opened their doors to us,” Mr. Zac Goldsmith added. “To have local leaders take the time to share their perspectives and invest in our students is invaluable.”