BRYAN, Ohio — A northwest Ohio city of about 8,700 people has been named one of the state's best hometowns in an annual list from Ohio Magazine.
Bryan, the county seat of Williams County in the northwesternmost corner of the state, was selected by the magazine's editors "in part for its historic downtown, thriving sense of community, and reinvestment that continues to bring new and interesting businesses and attractions to the city," according to a press release from the Bryan Area Foundation.
Mayor Carrie Schlade in a statement said the city is "thrilled to receive this recognition as Bryan continues to add to the quality of life in every corner of the city. Our community is engaged in moving forward and working together to make Bryan the best place to live, work and play.”
Ohio Magazine editors solicited nominations in the spring and visited cities and towns in the summer and evaluated them based on six categories — "Community Spirit, Education, Entertainment, Health and Safety, Business Environment, and Culture and Heritage," according to the press release — to make the selections, which include Hilliard in central Ohio, McConnelsville in the southeast, Millersburg about halfway between Cleveland and Columbus and Urbana about halfway between Columbus and Dayton, alongside the Fountain City.
Other northwest Ohio cities have also recently received the nod. Perrysburg was selected in 2008 and 2022 and Bowling Green was picked in 2007 and 2018.
Two magazine editors visited Bryan in mid-July to grab a bite at local restaurants, tour the courthouse, observe construction on the square, check out schools and the library and meet business and community leaders, according to the press release.
Ohio Magazine's "Best Hometowns" issue will be published on Nov. 1.
The Spangler Candy Company, manufacturer of the famous Dum-Dum sucker, has been a boon to the city's economy for many decades.
RELATED: Amtrak improving Bryan train station
Bryan has also seen recent developments, notably in its accessibility. Railroad company Amtrak has invested $5 million to make the city's train station ADA-compliant.
The city also opened an inclusive playground at the beginning of June, offering a closer alternative for families who had to travel much further for the next closest one.
The high school's Division II softball team also made its first state appearance this summer but lost in the finals to Canfield in eastern Ohio.
