Columbia continues to grow yearly, creating new opportunities for all.
Columbia has had to make adjustments to aspects of the community in recent years due to the quickly growing population and promising tourism industry, according to the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The city has many aspects that appeal to both potential residents and tourists. The tourism bureau, a city-run department, plays a big role in promoting Columbia as a tourist destination. For fiscal year 2016, Boone County alone generated $412 million in tourism revenue and employed over 11,000 people, according to the tourism bureau.
Megan McConachie, the strategic communications manager at the tourism bureau, works to market the city to different types of visitors, from conference goers to sports enthusiasts.
“Our mission is to generate economic growth and promote Columbia as a destination that provides memorable experiences for its visitors,” McConachie said.
Two hallmark festivals that attract the most tourists to Columbia are the Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival and the True/False Film Fest. These high-profile festivals are greatly promoted to bring in tourism revenue and put Columbia on the map as a unique place to visit.
“I think there is a big level of sophistication [in Columbia] that kind of gives people a big city amenity feel with that small-town friendliness,” McConachie said.
Residents of Columbia believe that the city is a unique and growing place. According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Columbia was 120,612 as of July 1, 2016. That is a jump from the 2010 census that indicated the population to be a little over 109,000.
Resident Kevin Larson moved away from Columbia after obtaining his bachelor’s degree at MU but could not stay away. He moved back five years later to start Karis Church Westside.
“It’s a great place to raise a family,” Larson said. “It’s just a fun town.”
Another aspect of Columbia’s growing population has to do with housing.
The city’s housing market was not greatly affected during the recent economic downturn according to RE/MAX realtor Jennifer Dick. Dick sells anywhere from 12 to 20 houses per year, mostly to families relocating for new jobs.
“Shelter and State Farm have headquarters here that bring a lot of jobs to Columbia,” Dick said.
According to Dick, many potential residents also feel Columbia is the perfect size community as opposed to St. Louis or Kansas City.
Columbia has a unique way of making new residents feel comfortable with the Columbia Welcome Committee. Director and greeter Angela Huhman works with 54 local businesses to put together baskets full of useful items for new Columbia residents. These items range from gift certificates from local restaurants to community publications.
Huhman is also part of Welcome Service International, a group that advertises small businesses by doing things such as sit-down meetings with new residents to inform them of the unique aspects a community has to offer.
“The top reason [people tell me] for why they are moving to Columbia is because they have family members here,” Huhman said. “We also have a huge population that comes here for the retirement communities. Weather is always a big one. People want to see the four seasons.”
Columbia has been nominated on many city award lists in the recent years. Some of the nominations include No. 5 on “The Best Cities to Start a Business” list, CBS News’ “25 Best Cities to Live In” and No. 1 on Forbes’ “America’s Hardest Working Towns,” according to the tourism bureau website.
Columbia continues to grow as more businesses, such as Aurora Organic Dairy and a new Aldi, are opening every month.
According to the Missouri Office of Administration, Boone County’s population is expected to reach about 204,000 by 2030.