Economic Development

An investor purchased the property with the intention to offer businesses $1 leases. Nonprofits looking to expand can operate from one of five campus buildings for free.

The new head of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council is addressing past concerns and critiques of the organization as he lays out his vision for the future.

The new permanent CEO of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council [BNEDC] is Tyler Cravens. Cravens has been the interim president and CEO since March when previous CEO Patrick Hoban left for another position.

The City of Bloomington believes childcare accessibility and affordability are “critical” issues for the community, said Tyus. “It's just as important as finding quality employees,” he said.

Two longtime empty buildings bordering Uptown Circle in Normal could be the site of new construction, after a design review committee approved a Joliet company's proposed Trail East and Trail West developments.

The Normal Town Council has adopted a new strategic plan for the next three years. Mayor Chris Koos talks about some of the details.

Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady said the summer is marking progress on more than $315 million in public and private investment projects.

Bloomington appears ready to more aggressively market naming rights opportunities for the former Grossinger Motors Arena in Downtown Bloomington. Sponsorship by the auto group ended in 2022, and the city has called a news conference next Wednesday to highlight revived use of the building.

In his first State of the City speech, Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady said the city has accomplished a lot in his first year in office.

After more than eight years of trying, the Town of Normal may be able to move ahead with the Trail East and West developments on Uptown Circle. And if council members balk at a price increase for the Uptown Underpass, the town could have to repay millions in grant funding.