Columbus, Wisconsin – Columbia and Dodge Counties

October 31, 2024

Columbus, Wisconsin

A Gateway to Opportunity and Community

Strategically located and looking towards growth and a dynamic future

Ideally situated just 30 minutes from the vibrant hubs of Madison and Sun Prairie, Columbus, Wisconsin offers a unique blend of small-town charm with the convenience of big-city access. With a population of 5,500, Columbus is a community on the rise, embracing growth while welcoming new residential and commercial development alongside a host of quality-of-life amenities.

A City with Accessible Growth

Joe Hammer, Mayor

As a small rural community, Columbus has a surprising variety of industrial and business opportunities. This is due to the city’s position at the crossroads of several major highways, including Highways 151, 73, and 89. “That just makes Columbus a great option for a place to live and to build a business,” emphasizes Mayor Joe Hammer.

The city has recently initiated a seven-acre residential development, set to add 16 new single-family homes and 42 apartments, while also preserving a historic farmhouse on the property. “A lot of people are wanting to live here, but we haven’t had a lot of new residential development. So that’s the new trend in Columbus,” conveys Mike Kornmann, Director of Community and Economic Development. “We also have people that are living in Columbus that want to move from a home into an apartment or condo. So, this new development that we have going forward is going to start to fill some of that gap, and we’re excited to see that.”

Along with residential growth, infrastructure is a major focus, with a Highway 73 project planned for 2025. “That’s a DOT grant-funded project,” shares Matt Amundson, City Administrator. The city is also working on a five-year capital improvement plan to prepare for growth. “We will continue the city’s efforts towards managing and upkeeping existing infrastructure, and as we grow, sustainably look at increasing our infrastructure as it results in supporting future development,” he relays.

Business-Friendly Environment

Columbus is fast becoming a center of industry and innovation. As for what makes the city a desirable area for businesses, Kornmann describes, “We have a great geography, lower land values, and great services. Employers, and employees always want a good school district. We have a great one, and we also have Prairie Ridge Hospital and Clinic. They have all the specialty physicians that you could probably want, and the ability to get in in a reasonable amount of time. It’s really a fantastic business.”

QOC Innovations, a company focused on manufacturing enterprise resource planning (ERP), is one of Columbus’s newest employers. Since setting up in the city six months ago, the company has doubled in size, with plans to double again soon. QOC Innovations Managing Partner, Paul Osterhaus, details “One of the things that makes Columbus great for a business like ours, is the access to good people, the access to the schools, the access to the healthcare that’s here. It’s been a great community. It’s been very welcoming to QOC, and we’ve had great success hiring people that are local and recruiting people here. That’s been very helpful to us.”

Kornmann adds, “We’re thrilled to have QOC Innovations here in Columbus, along with the other great ones that we have.”

Columbus is also home to several long-standing enterprises, including Roberts Manufacturing, Lyco Manufacturing, Fluid Quip Technologies, Enerpac, and American Packaging Company. Kornmann is proud of the city’s track record in retaining these companies, many of which have international business ties. “For a city of 5,500 people, it is really impressive, the employers that we have,” he says. “We have a cluster of businesses broadly in the agriculture industry and manufacturing. We’ve had sustained business growth over time with some critical companies that are really outstanding.”

A Vibrant Community and Tourist Destination

More than just a great place to live and work, Columbus is also a community rich in events and attractions. Mayor Hammer highlights several popular community happenings, including the Fourth of July, and a beloved Oktoberfest celebration brought by the local Odd Fellows organization. Recently, the city held a successful food truck event at the same time as the city-wide garage sale. “The amount of people that came out for that was incredible,” he recounts. “Food truck events are becoming a huge thing. We also have the area arts, and high school football, baseball tournaments and softball tournaments that bring a lot of people into our community and help our local establishments.”

Fireman’s Park, a venue on the National Register of Historic Places, is another draw for visitors. “It’s a beautiful park. The primary building is a very large historic pavilion, and that venue hosts a lot of events, including weddings,” portrays Kornmann. “People love having events there. Fireman’s Park is really one of our core attractions that brings people from out of town.”

Columbus’s historic downtown is also in the early stages of revitalization. “We have two different projects going on right now,” Kornmann says, mentioning both a second-level housing project and a commercial building restoration. “There’s more and more interest in revitalizing our downtown, which goes back to the middle 1800’s. We still have some of those great buildings, and there’s a great opportunity for downtown Columbus to turn into a highly desirable destination.”

Amundson again draws attention to the proximity of major highways as key to bringing people into the community, where they can then experience all of the unique restaurants and amenities on offer. Adding to Columbus’s appeal is its Amtrak station, which features the Empire Builder line, an east coast to west coast train service, along with the Borealis line, a commuter train connecting Chicago to Minneapolis. “That gives people that get off the train an opportunity to actually do some walking around downtown and check things out. So, it’s a definite added plus to our community,” depicts the mayor.

Looking Ahead

As Columbus prepares for growth and a vibrant future, the city is developing a strategic plan to outline its priorities. Public engagement has been integral to this process, with resident feedback playing a crucial role in the next steps. Amundson explains, “The idea is that that’s really going to create a prioritized roadmap for us, where we can focus on meeting community needs and sustainable growth moving forward.”

Well-positioned for both residential and business expansion, the city’s geography is a definite advantage. Amundson continues, “The Madison area has been referenced as a desirable place to live. We’re 30 minutes from Madison and just 20 minutes from Sun Prairie. We’re poised for growth and well-positioned within the region for both residential and business development.”

With this strategic location, robust plans for residential and commercial growth, and a welcoming environment for businesses, Columbus is poised for a vibrant future. As the city continues to evolve, it remains a place where individuals can thrive, businesses can flourish, and visitors can experience the warmth of a community. The city’s ongoing efforts to engage its residents in shaping their future ensure that Columbus will not only grow but will do so in a way that honors its past while looking forward to new possibilities.