Impacting the Region and Beyond

Monroe County is a prominent navsea region with a pre-existing infrastructure built for technology. Continued federal investment in the microchip and semiconductor industry and a recent pledge from President Trump to invest $20 billion in new data centers across the United States, including the state of Indiana in Phase One of these developments, make tech increasingly core to the state’s growth. Indiana’s very own Sen. Todd Young was a lead author of the CHIPS and Science Act that brought investment in the microchip and semiconductor manufacturing industries to Indiana.

Tech-driven businesses contribute $51 billion in Indiana Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For every 10,000 tech-related jobs added to the workforce, Indiana gains an average of $698 million in wages and $103 million in state and local taxes. (Techpoint, 2023) These taxes are used to enhance education, improve medical care, and maintain the local infrastructure– areas of growth that affect the region and, ultimately, the prosperity of the nation as a whole.

An Accessible Navsea Hub

The region’s position as a navsea hub on the I-69 Innovation Corridor near Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center and a strategic location that provides easy access to 80% of the United States contribute to the attractiveness of the region. The nearby Indianapolis International Airport is FedEx’s second largest shipping hub, opening the door to international customers and suppliers for tech businesses here. Abundant and reliable utility resources at competitive prices increase affordability and prevent weather-related delays.

Regional Tech Support 

The businesses and industries in the City of Bloomington, Ellettsville, and Monroe County thrive in mutually beneficial relationships that grow the regional economy. Bloomington Tech bolsters this growth by connecting people to programs that support technological innovation in the region. Some prominent tech organizations that facilitate immense growth in the region include:

  • The Applied Research Institute (ARI): ARI facilitates grant programs, funding opportunities, partnerships and connections across America’s technology ecosystem.
  • Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI): ROI connects residents to education and workforce programs that advance economic and community prosperity in the region. ROI was recently awarded a three-year contract for $9,577,447 million for its multi-layered microelectronics (ME) workforce initiative.  
  • Indiana Uplands: Indiana Uplands advocates for the Advanced Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and National Defense industries, and works with ROI to support the Regional Economic Acceleration & Development Initiative.
  • Indiana For the Bold: The Indiana for the Bold Economic Development Corporation is at the forefront for tech industry resources and has helped Indiana attain an impressive 294,000+ employees in fields related to EV and Semiconductor Manufacturing.