#MuleTownCity

[muletowncity-blog]

The City of Columbia, Tennessee continues to enjoy a historic, declining jobless rates with the release of recent figures which show employment data through May 2017, among the most impressive declines statewide. Columbia’s unemployment rate for May 2017 has dropped to a low of 2.7%, down 0.6% from the previous month, April. The unemployment rate dropped an impressive 1.7% compared to May 2016, the rate one year ago which stood at 4.4% this time last year. The most recent labor report from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development includes a number of promising statistics showing continued improvements to unemployment and increased job growth in Columbia, TN. Columbia boasts 16,760 people currently employed according to the most recent May 2017 data. The drop is attributable to continued growth and expansion of new and existing businesses as the city continues to enjoy new business openings and expansions almost weekly. Middle Tennessee counties leading Tenneseee in the declining unemployment rate, the report revealed that Columbia continues to stand apart, along with Maury County as a leader with near historic declines comparing cities and counties statewide. Maury County also stood apart in the state ranking, with the 7th lowest unemployment rate among Tennessee counties. Economists generally consider 5% “full employment” - 5% the rate indicating normal unemployment levels in a typical, healthy economy. Mayor Dean Dickey notes that “the City is encouraged by continued economic growth trends in business and workforce development within Columbia and the Greater Columbia Area. We will continue to work with our private sector partners to attract and retain quality jobs for our people.” Go #Muletown! #GrowColumbia #ColumbiaTN #ColumbiaTNDevelopment #MuletownExperience #ColumbiaTNJobs #muletowncity (at City of Columbia, TN - Government)

[muletowncity-blog]

Mayor Dean Dickey presenting an honorary plaque for retiring City employee Vicky Kincaid. Vicky served the City of Columbia for 24 plus years as Administrative Assistant for the Parks & Recreation Department. She will be missed to be sure. Thank you Vicky for your commitment and passion in providing the very best services to Columbia citizens and businesses. #ColumbiaTNParksandRecreation #ColumbiaTN #MuleTownCity #MuleTown #VickyKincaid (at City Council Chambers, City of Columbia, TN)

[muletowncity-blog]

March Figures Show Impressive Columbia and Maury County Employment Gains COLUMBIA, Tennessee - Columbia and Maury County continue to enjoy declining jobless rates with the release of April’s figures which show employment data through March 2016, among the most impressive declines statewide. The most recent labor report from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development includes a number of promising statistics showing continued improvements to unemployment and increased job growth in Maury County and Columbia, TN. Maury County's employment rate fell to a noteworthy 3.6% in March 2016. March’s 3.6% unemployment rate is down 0.3% from February. The recently announced 3.6% unemployment rate dropped 1.5% from March 2015 when unemployment was at 5.1%. Per the report, Maury County has 42,860 people in the labor pool with 41,320 employed. The March 2016 3.6% low is a boon to economic development in the Greater Columbia Area, as city staff and partners at Maury Alliance use the notable data to show incoming and prospective industries look to the city and region to consider expansion and relocation. Economists generally consider 5% "full employment" - 5% the rate indicating normal unemployment levels in a typical, healthy economy. For Columbia, the report revealed a similar drop, a higher decline comparing 2015 and 2016, albeit slightly, than for the county. The drop is most likely attributable to continued growth and expansion of new and existing businesses as the city enjoys new business openings and expansions almost weekly. The City of Columbia unemployment rate for February, 4.3%, dropped 0.2% from February to March 2016. Even more noteworthy, the unemployment rate dropped an impressive 1.6% compared to 5.9% in March 2015, one year ago. Columbia has 16,690 people in the labor pool with 15,970 employed according to the most recent March 2016 data. The City is encouraged by continued economic growth trends in business and workforce development within Columbia and the Greater Columbia Area. Go #Muletown! #ColumbiaTN #ColumbiaTNDevelopment #ColumbiaTNJobs #Muletown #MuleTownCity (at City of Columbia, TN)

[muletowncity-blog]

18-Hole Disc Golf Course Opens at Columbia's Woodland Park The City of Columbia, TN unveiled a new 18-hole disc golf course on Sunday, April 17 at Woodland Park. The city's newest recreational amenity was celebrated with the course hosting an inaugural disc golf tournament immediately following the grand opening. Nashville-based disc golf advocacy group Ambassador Disc Golf designed and installed the course with materials purchased and donated to the project by the Noon Rotary Club. Disc golf continues to be one of the fastest growing recreational activities in the nation. The new disc golf course offers Columbia residents a new recreational amenity to enjoy at Woodland Park. The project is also anticipated to draw visitors from across the state and region, providing the City of Columbia with a new high-quality recreation destination experience for visitors and persons throughout the region and beyond. The project was a joint effort between the Columbia Noon Rotary Club and Columbia Parks and Recreation. The city appreciates the generous donation and ongoing commitment by the Noon Rotary Club to the city and community. Community partnerships between Columbia social clubs, non-profit groups and the city help continue to make Columbia a great place to live, work and play. Read more at http://m.columbiadailyherald.com/news/local-news/noon-rotary-opens-disc-golf-course

[muletowncity-blog]

Congratulations and our special thanks to Officer Jeremy Humphrey, the City of Columbia Employee of the Month for March 2016. Officer Humphrey was also previously awarded the Columbia Police Department's Officer of the Month in December 2015. According to his supervisor, Humphrey’s hard work and dedication to the Shop with a COP program made last year's annual program the most successful one on record. The City of Columbia is grateful for the dedication and commitment that Officer Humphrey demonstrates in his work each day. #ColumbiaTN #MuleTownCity #ColumbiaTNPoliceDepartment #EmployeeoftheMonth #JeremyHumphrey (at City of Columbia, TN)

[muletowncity-blog]

Columbia's Historic Courthouse Square and Downtown Skyline. Come enjoy shopping, dining, arts and culture, and the unique, historic small town southern charm today. #SomethingGoodAroundEveryCorner #ColumbiaTN #downtowncolumbiatn #muletown #historicdowntown #MuleTownCity

[muletowncity-blog]

Recent statistics from the Columbia Development Services show more good news and rising healthy indicators for the housing market in Columbia, TN. Several statistics regarding new home construction and development permit activity in Columbia, TN were compiled the months of February and March in comparing 2015 to 2016. From February 1 to March 31, a two (2)-month period, the number of newly constructed homes increased 173% from last year for the same two-month period with 19 homes built during the period in 2015 increasing to 52 homes in 2016. In addition to number of new homes, average home valuation increased 6% from the two-month period in 2015 to the same in 2016. Valuation is determined for permitting, based on construction costs, and does not reflect actual sale price. The actual average cost is reasonably estimated to be higher. The total number of Development Services permits increased 107% for the period between 2015 and 2016, 193 permits and 401 permits respectively. Total permits include commercial, plumbing, additions, repairs, and multifamily. The City of Columbia also issued more single family building permits during the last week of March 2016 than the entire month of March 2014, indicative of the increasing strength of new home construction specifically and the housing market in general.

[muletowncity-blog]

Vice Mayor Christa Martin recognized retiring Recreation Specialist Kathy Pedrick with a proclamation at the Columbia City Council Meeting on March 10, 2016. Kathy worked with the Parks and Recreation Department for over 23 years. Hired as a Playground Leader, Kathy retired as a Recreation Specialist. Kathy was known for her passion and involvement with Girls Fast Pitch Softball and stood out in serving city youth, beloved by the kids and parents alike. We thank Kathy for her dedication and years of service to the City of Columbia! #KathyPedrick #ColumbiaTN #MuleTownCity #ColumbiaTNSports #ColumbiaTNParkandRecreation

[muletowncity-blog]

Columbia Residential Building Continues Bounce Back with Plans for New High-Quality Multi-Family Developments Residential growth and development in Columbia continues apace. Planned, high quality townhouses and apartments, rich with amenities, are currently slated for construction in Columbia, TN. The newly proposed multi-family residential received Planning Commission approval at a recent meeting, upon the recommendation of the city's Development Services Department. In sum, a mix of over 500 units, both townhouses and apartments at different stages of approval are working their way through the city's Planning Commission approval process, ranging from "pending" to "approved". The first new multi-family development will feature apartment units built on a bluff overlooking South James M. Campbell Boulevard. The owners were attracted to the Columbia market in part due to the mix of national retail brands on James M. Campbell Boulevard. A number of amenities are planned for the first of three multi-family developments, including a clubhouse with a cyber cafe, WiFi for residents and guests, valet trash collection, a playground, pet park, salt water pool, and a number of other proposed high-quality amenities. The recent approval and pending applications for the multi-family residential developments follow a broader trend showing an increase in single family residential unit permits 2015 more than doubling the year before (2014), and the value of residential units permitted up 136% in 2015, indicating a healthy recovery. Nearing the end of the first quarter of 2016, the Development Services Department continues to receive applications for new residential housing permits as well as the resumption of residential construction previously delayed, which continues to outpace the same point one year ago. For more, read http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/rd-12816SUNDAYapartments.html

[muletowncity-blog]

In USA Today's "10Best: Surprising presidential historic sites", the national paper names the James K. Polk Ancestral Home and Museum on a short list of nationally noteworthy tourism destinations. The City of Columbia is pleased to continue to see MuleTown receiving national coverage for one of the most notable Columbia historic landmarks. Such media attention and recognition is a continuation of the positive state, regional and local coverage that the city has received over the last few months listing the city as a hip, interesting and fun destination for travelers with a diverse set of interests, ranging from history to arts and culture.

USA Today Article may be viewed here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/10greatplaces/2016/02/12/presidential-historic-sites/80266206/

[muletowncity-blog]

Citizens Posts a Heartfelt Thanks to CPD Officers

Great Job Columbia PD Officers Shrake and Baublitz!! A Columbia resident says "Thank You" to CPD Officers Shrake and Officer Baublitz, a heartfelt statement on the Columbia Police Department FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/CPDTN/posts/1023677074342569:0

[muletowncity-blog]

See the new logo for Maury County Schools! Well done!

[muletowncity-blog]

Congratulations to Lt. Josh Davis on the recent promotion! For more, go to https://www.facebook.com/CityofColumbiaTN/posts/978679835534808. #ColumbiaTN #MuleTownCity #ColumbiaPoliceDepartment #JoshDavis (at City of Columbia, TN)

[muletowncity-blog]

Sue York, Part-time Accounting Technician and former Assistant City Recorder for the City of Columbia, is recognized by the City as Employee of the Month for January 2016. https://www.facebook.com/CityofColumbiaTN/posts/976999865702805:0 #ColumbiaEmployeeOfTheMonth #ColumbiaTN #SueYork #MuleTownCity

[muletowncity-blog]

Columbia Takes Preservation of Historic and Cultural Assets Seriously

The City of Columbia demonstrates the city’s ongoing commitment to historic preservation.

Most recently, a project to renovate the “Jack and Jill” building is underway, the oldest building in Downtown Columbia. Dated to 1817, the historic building was constructed the same year that the City of Columbia was formerly incorporated as a municipality.

The major project was identified as a key item in the city’s 2015-2016 Strategic Plan. As adopted, plan objectives include stabilization of the structure.

Staff had also pursued Tennessee Historical Commision grant funds that may be used to offset the cost of period doors and windows that hold with the historic character of the building with contemporary efficiencies that aid in stabilizing the building long-term.

Read more in the Columbia Daily Herald here: http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/rd-012716WEDNESDAYJackandJillbuilding.html

[muletowncity-blog]

Family Donates Vital Life Saving Equipment to Columbia Firefighters:

The City of Columbia appreciates an anonymous local family who donated a thermal imaging camera to the Columbia Fire Department to thank firefighters for service provided to the family over the last few years.The donation was provided to the Company stationed at Station #4 to honor the memory of the family's husband and father who passed away recently. 

Expressing their thanks to department and station personnel, the family expressed their thanks for "compassion and exceptional service" provided to the family over the years.While the family wished not to be named, the anonymous Columbia resident encouraged others to step forward to contact the department to offer to make a donation of any kind.

To learn more, the Columbia Daily Herald story can be accessed here: http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/rd-012116FireDept.cameradonation.html

For more from the donation ceremony at Columbia Fire Station #4, go to https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=444206899121609&substory_index=0&id=427172880825011