The city of Jackson, Missouri is preparing to adopt a new municipal logo that would replace its current branding with a more contemporary design reflecting both local history and community identity. The proposed redesign was presented to the Jackson Board of Aldermen on January 6, 2026, by the marketing agency Red Letter Communications, which was awarded a $14,500 contract for the project last fall. The new logo features a modern red, black, and white color scheme that intentionally matches the local school district's colors, creating visual cohesion across community institutions. A final vote on the design is scheduled for January 20, 2026, after which city officials will begin implementing the new brand identity across municipal departments and services.

The design process began in October when the Board of Aldermen approved the contract with Red Letter Communications to develop a fresh visual identity for the city. After months of research and community engagement, the agency unveiled a sleek, minimalist logo that incorporates a silhouette of the county courthouse as its central visual element. This architectural reference pays homage to Jackson's historical significance as a county seat while presenting a more progressive image to residents and visitors alike. The courthouse imagery replaces the previous logo's portrait of Andrew Jackson, the city's controversial namesake, signaling a shift toward landmarks over historical figures in municipal branding.

Community input played a significant role in shaping the new design direction, according to presentation materials from Red Letter Communications. The agency conducted outreach through multiple channels, including a Facebook survey and direct engagement at a Jackson business breakfast event, to gather feedback on symbols and imagery that resonate with local residents. This participatory approach aimed to ensure the final design would reflect authentic community values while providing the versatility needed for modern municipal communications. The research revealed strong support for designs that balance tradition with progress, stability with innovation, and local recognition with broader appeal.

The proposed logo system includes several key changes from the current branding beyond just the primary mark. The familiar tagline 'City of beautiful homes, parks, schools and churches' has been removed to create a cleaner, more adaptable design that works across digital and print applications. Beneath the word 'Jackson,' the new logo includes subtle text indicating 'Missouri' and '1814,' the year the town was founded, providing geographic and historical context without cluttering the main visual. Additionally, Red Letter has developed a family of supplementary logos for individual city departments, each maintaining design consistency while allowing for departmental customization.

City manager Matt Winters will collaborate with Red Letter Communications on the rollout strategy if the design receives final approval later this month. Rodney Bollinger, the city's administrative services director, confirmed that implementation planning is already underway to ensure a smooth transition. The comprehensive branding plan addresses how the new identity will be applied to everything from official stationery and vehicle decals to digital platforms and wayfinding signage. This systematic approach aims to maximize the investment's impact while minimizing disruption to city operations and public recognition.

The logo redesign reflects a broader trend among American municipalities updating their visual identities to better serve contemporary communication needs. As cities compete for economic development opportunities and work to engage digitally-savvy residents, professional branding has become an increasingly important tool for civic marketing. Jackson's decision to align its municipal colors with the school district's palette demonstrates strategic thinking about community unity and brand recognition across different public sectors. Whether the new design successfully captures the city's character will ultimately be determined by public reception and its effectiveness in representing Jackson's identity for years to come.