City of Columbia Invites Public to Help Shape New Community Brand

Issue #767

July 08, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

⛅️ Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Sunshine & clouds mixed w/ high of 89, low of 73

📰 City of Columbia Invites Public to Help Shape New Community Brand

🚧 Mt. Olivet Bridge Closure Beginning July 13

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

City of Columbia Invites Public to Help Shape New Community Brand

The City of Columbia invites residents, business owners, and community stakeholders to attend a public informational session to learn more about the City's comprehensive branding initiative and how they can participate in shaping Columbia's future.

The meeting will provide an overview of the branding process, explain opportunities for public involvement, and outline how community input will help define Columbia's identity for years to come.

Informational Session

Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Columbia City Hall – Council Chambers
700 N Garden Street
Columbia, TN 38401

The City has partnered with Chandlerthinks, a nationally recognized branding and strategic communications firm, to lead the project. Throughout the process, the firm will engage the community through a variety of outreach efforts, including:

• Stakeholder interviews

• Community focus groups

• Online surveys

The information gathered through these engagement opportunities will be combined with market research and strategic analysis to develop a unified brand that authentically represents the City of Columbia.

A strong community brand serves as an important economic development tool. It influences how residents, visitors, businesses, entrepreneurs, and industries perceive Columbia and helps position the city to compete for investment, tourism, talent, and new opportunities while strengthening community pride.

The City encourages all interested community members to attend the public informational session.

Mt. Olivet Bridge Closure Beginning July 13

From The City of Columbia’s post…

The City of Columbia is notifying residents that the Mt. Olivet Bridge will close effective Monday, July 13, 2026, due to structural concerns.

The Mt. Olivet Bridge replacement project is a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) project funded by the State of Tennessee and is currently scheduled for 2029. Due to the impact the closure may have on local travel, the City of Columbia has requested that TDOT evaluate opportunities to expedite the project timeline.

The City will continue coordinating with TDOT and sharing updates as additional information becomes available regarding the project timeline, detour routes, and future construction schedule.

Motorists are encouraged to follow posted detour signage and allow additional travel time while the bridge remains closed.

The City appreciates the community’s patience and understanding during this closure and will provide updates as information becomes available.

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Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, July 9th

Friday, July 10th

Saturday, July 11th

Sunday, July 12th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, July 9
Todd Ciprian - Tito's, 6-9 PM

Friday, July 10
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5-8 PM
Mike Peters - Buck & Board, 6-8 PM
The Prickly Pear - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Escape - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, July 11
Box of Rox - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
Grasskickers - Hampshire Hills Distillery, 5-9 PM
TBA - River Terrace, 6-8 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
The Mighty Train Wrecks - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Resurrection - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Scotty Morton Band - The Boondox, 8 PM
Rebellious South - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, July 12
The Sins - Amber Falls Winery, 1-5 PM
Small Blind - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill - 2-5 PM

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