Collaborate to Compete: Building a Stronger Economic Future

By Jennifer Pearl and Stacie Marotta

Bloomington, Ellettsville, and Monroe County are known for big ideas, creativity, and an exceptional quality of life. But those strengths alone won’t win the next major investment. To compete, we must work together—turning barriers into opportunities and making it easy and rewarding to build here.

Communities that hesitate fall behind. Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank delivered that reality check at the RALLY Innovation Conference this fall, warning the US is already losing ground in the global race for AI and data infrastructure.

Site selectors echoed this urgency in Area Development’s recently-released 2025 Top States for Business rankings:

“States that are winning today are those with development-ready sites, transparent permitting pathways, reliable energy infrastructure, and customizable workforce programs that align closely with private-sector timelines.” In 2026, the “next wave of investment is going to places that deliver execution, not just enticement.” (Source: Area Development)

That message hits home. Bloomington Economic Development Corporation clients often have just 12–18 months to find a site, secure approvals, build, and launch—especially in industries like pharmaceuticals and defense. If a community appears slow, fragmented, or unpredictable, they’ll choose communities that can move at the speed of business. Misaligned zoning, unclear rules, and lengthy permitting processes cost us opportunities. In today’s competitive environment, alignment isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity across all three of our jurisdictions in Monroe County, Bloomington, and Ellettsville.

The good news is we understand these dynamics and can adjust. Communities that land transformational projects do so by investing in clarity, speed, and collaboration. They offer shovel-ready sites, streamlined permitting, and predictable processes. By aligning our jurisdictions around a shared strategy, we can present ourselves as one strong, ready region. Strategic investments in broadband, sewer, and roads will ensure that when opportunity knocks, we can respond quickly and win.

The cost of inaction is steep: lost jobs, lost tax revenue, and a diminished ability to attract and retain talent. But we have powerful assets on our side—Indiana University and Ivy Tech; great employers; a creative culture, a talented workforce, and a community that values quality of life. Now we need the courage and discipline to align, remove unnecessary obstacles, and make it easy for businesses to say yes.

This moment should light a fire, not cast a shadow. The clock is ticking, and the communities that act first will win. Collaboration isn’t just how we move forward—it’s how we all win.