Economic Development

The Bloomington Normal Economic Development Council has three infrastructure projects and one workforce development program earmarked for a request for funding by Congress and federal agencies as part of the annual One Voice trip to Washington.

Homebuilders put up just 58 single-family homes and duplexes in Bloomington last year — fewer than the 66 built in 2024. City officials hope other actions focusing on existing housing will help ease the community housing shortage.

Bloomington-Normal home sales declined last year, though there are a couple positive signs. The Mid-Illinois Realtors Association said home sales were down 5.9% in 2025.

The Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council and YWCA McLean County are proposing significant public and private sector investment in affordable child care for the community, after a yearlong study.

Zach Dietmeier from Visit BN said a new strategic plan will focus on a community-first outlook for tourism. The last one was five years ago.

To get the decade-old Uptown underpass project over the finish line will require increases in food and beverage and hotel-motel taxes. That staff recommendation emerged at a special town council meeting on Wednesday evening.

The McLean County Regional Planning Commission is making good on a promise to the county board to get more public input on the draft of a regional land use plan.

Automobile seat maker Adient will open a facility in Normal to serve Rivian. The $8 million investment will create 75 new full-time jobs.

The draft of a new McLean County Land Use Plan suggests future growth will largely happen on the fringes of Bloomington and Normal.

A proposed solar farm in McLean County would be the largest in the county at 300 megawatts of power. Deriva Energy, based out of North Carolina, would develop the Dawson Solar project located nine miles southeast of Bloomington-Normal.