Stronger Together: Quiet Work, Real Results

Over the past year, the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) has been building more than a calendar of meetings and programs. We have been building capacity, trust, and a stronger platform for Monroe County’s future.

This year, we added 11 new BEDC members and expanded engagement to more than 300 individuals connected to our work. To some, those numbers might look modest. In our line of work, they are meaningful. Not because bigger is always better, but because economic development is not a volume business. It is a relationship business. It is a credibility business. It is, ultimately, an influence business.

And that influence is becoming broader and more representative of the community we serve. Our meetings look different today, with a wider mix of industries and generations at the table. That change is not cosmetic. It strengthens decision-making and improves our competitiveness when real opportunities are at stake.

Influence matters because economic development is a team sport. When a company considers expanding or locating in Monroe County, it is not only evaluating a site; it is also evaluating the community. These companies are evaluating a community’s ability to execute: align partners, solve problems, move with competence, and deliver workforce, infrastructure, and a stable business environment.

That is why the BEDC is advancing Blueprint for the BOLD, our strategic plan and organizing framework for business retention, expansion, and attraction. Blueprint for the BOLD is not a brochure. It is a practical approach: listening to employers, identifying barriers to growth, aligning partners around solutions, and turning those solutions into measurable action. It ensures we are not simply reacting to opportunity, but preparing Monroe County to win the right projects.

In 2026, BEDC is sharpening its focus with an undeniable commitment to Business Retention, Expansion, and Attraction (BREA). This is what we do well, and it is where we create durable impact: supporting stable companies, strengthening our tax base, encouraging infrastructure investment, and attracting higher-paying jobs that allow families to thrive.

There is no other organization like the BEDC in Monroe County positioned to lead this work. We are primarily funded by our membership, with a smaller portion of revenue coming from government. That structure matters. It allows us to stay disciplined, community-centered, and focused on results.

We are also evolving how we engage. The HR Roundtable, The Property Line, and in 2026 the Executive Exchange are all designed to convene trusted leaders, strengthen readiness, and align Monroe County around competitiveness.

Much of our work happens behind the scenes, but in 2026 we will share more so you can see the progress underway. Your partnership is needed more than ever. Invest in the BEDC, consider membership, deepen your engagement, and schedule time with our team. When the BEDC grows, Monroe County’s capacity grows, and opportunity expands for all of us.