City welcomes new community development director

The Community Development Department has its next director. In March, Karla Henderson joined the City with a background in planning, infrastructure maintenance, community engagement and economic development. Her experience spans the private, nonprofit and local government sectors.

Over nearly two decades, she worked for Michigan cities, advancing into roles with progressively more responsibility. Her public service includes work for Highland Park and Ann Arbor, MI and for Detroit as the head of planning and facilities, working directly with Mayor Dave Bing. Her strong leadership abilities enabled her to advance quickly. Henderson is poised to enhance economic development and neighborhood vitality in Bloomington.

“I am humbled and honored to be Bloomington’s next community development director and to join a team of extraordinary public servants,” Henderson said. “There is much work to be done as we transition out of this pandemic and I am eager to serve the Bloomington community.”

Henderson plans to focus on expanding homeownership and affordable housing, and supporting the entrepreneurship and small business community in Bloomington.