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Students to Partner With Local Businesses in New Downtown Volunteer Program

Issue #492

July 11, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Weather - Mix of clouds/sun, slight chance of thunderstorms, high of 90 & low of 71

📰 Students to Partner With Local Businesses in New Downtown Volunteer Program

📰 16 New Homes Coming to Columbia Through Habitat’s Largest Local Build Yet

🗓 List of Upcoming Events - JUST UPDATED!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

👉 Your Guide to Summer Camps & Kids Activities in July! 

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

Students to Partner With Local Businesses in New Downtown Volunteer Program

A new student-focused volunteer program is launching in Columbia this fall, designed to give teens real-world experience in small business operations, community events, and local tourism.

The initiative, called the Columbia Junior Main Street Program, was presented at the July 8 Columbia City Council study session. Organized by Columbia Main Street, the program aims to involve local high school students in the heart of downtown activity — both as volunteers for city events and as collaborators with small businesses.

The program is open to public and private school students in grades 9 through 12 who reside within the city limits. Organizers hope to recruit 20–25 participants during its first year, with a goal of creating a diverse group across all high school grade levels.

One of the program’s main objectives is to provide volunteer support at key Columbia Main Street events such as First Fridays, Fall Fest, and the Christmas Parade. In addition, students will plan and host a community event of their own — giving them firsthand experience with event logistics and creative planning.

Participants will also be paired with local downtown businesses to assist with digital marketing efforts, including managing social media accounts, creating content like reels and stories, and helping decorate storefronts for events and seasonal promotions. The idea is to offer students exposure to communications and marketing while giving small business owners much-needed support they may not be able to afford otherwise.

A minimum of four volunteer hours per month is required, though students who want to be more involved may contribute up to 15–20 hours by working multiple events.

The program has already received backing from Maury County Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Club of Columbia, with the first cohort expected to begin in September. Organizers say they’re encouraged by the enthusiastic response from the community and believe the program will foster both career skills and local pride.

Students or parents interested in learning more about the Columbia Junior Main Street Program can visit the Visit Columbia, TN Welcome Center at 714 N. Main Street or call (931) 560-1506.

16 New Homes Coming to Columbia Through Habitat’s Largest Local Build Yet

Habitat for Humanity of Williamson-Maury (HFHWM) is moving forward with a major new initiative: the construction of a 16-home subdivision in northwest Columbia, just off Hiwassee Drive. The project marks the organization’s first standalone neighborhood development in Maury County and is designed to provide safe, affordable housing for families most in need.

This upcoming development is part of HFHWM’s broader goal to expand housing access through community-driven partnerships. The 16 single-family homes will vary in size based on the needs of the selected families, ranging from three-bedroom, two-bath layouts to larger five-bedroom units. Families must reside in Maury or Williamson counties to be eligible.

Selected homeowners won’t just move into a completed home—they’ll be an integral part of the building process. Habitat’s model includes comprehensive homeownership education, along with “sweat equity,” where future homeowners help construct their own homes as well as their neighbors’.

Construction will be scheduled to take place during the spring and summer seasons to ensure safer and more comfortable working conditions for volunteers and families.

This new community is being made possible thanks to strong support from local companies, nonprofits, and city leaders. Major financial contributions came from Publix Supermarket Charities and Nissan Motors, both of which donated $70,000 to the project. State Farm added another $10,000. In addition to financial support, many businesses also contributed volunteer labor through team-building workdays at the build site.

The development of the land itself—often one of Habitat’s most costly obstacles—received significant in-kind donations. Regional contractors Barlow Builders, Inc. and Gray’s Mulching and Excavating donated excavation and grading services valued at nearly $200,000. Other partners, including Atmos and TC Energy, provided utility-related services and energy efficiency upgrades to help lower long-term costs for homeowners.

HFHWM is also learning from this project to better prepare for future developments. Columbia officials have approved a second site for 27 additional homes under the name Fieldstone Farms. However, high infrastructure expenses remain a challenge, which is why the team is focusing on completing the Hiwassee development before scaling up.

The nonprofit emphasizes that community support plays a vital role in making these homes possible. Smaller donors, local churches, and civic groups continue to contribute with hands-on construction work such as siding, trim, and painting.

As Habitat looks to the future, it hopes to deepen its presence in Maury County. Community members and organizations interested in volunteering or partnering are encouraged to get involved.

More information can be found at hfhwm.org.

Upcoming Local Events

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

Friday, July 11th

Saturday, July 12th

Sunday, July 13th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

July 26: The Awaken House 1 Year Birthday Party
July 26: 4th Annual Rebel Rouser Cruise-in
Aug 28 - Sept 1: Maury County Fair & Expo 

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, July 11th

Live Music, The Spot, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Rob Harris, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 PM
Open Mic, Grinder’s Switch, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Late Bloomers, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM 
Escape, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Saturday, July 12th

Nick Bentley, Keg Springs, 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Box of Rocks, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Neil Pennington, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 PM
Brothers Revolt, Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30 PM
Song Writers Round, The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
66 Strikes, The Boondox, 8:00 PM
Boomerang, Puckett’s, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Black Hole Suns, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, July 13th

Don Phillips, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
DNR, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 2:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Vince & Brett, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill 4:00 - 7:00 PM

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

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