The Bloomington Economic Partnership

“The Bloomington Economic Partnership is committed to connecting business, higher education, non-profits, and government to support a shared vision of inclusive economic growth in the City. Our aim is to create a thriving ecosystem where businesses grow, residents and neighbors are connected to training and good jobs, and Bloomington is a leader in creating regional economic prosperity. While BEP started in 2022 with a focus on workforce, we are excited to expand our conversations to additional topics that influence Bloomington’s economic development, including equity and inclusion; branding and marketing; and business policy. Today, BEP provides a forum for information sharing, dialogue, collaboration, and innovation. Over time we anticipate evolving with the needs of our membership and the community, but we will always stay true to our commitment to Bloomington’s success.

Thank you for joining us.”

Mayor Tim Busse, City of Bloomington

Participating in the Bloomington Economic Partnership

To be part of the Bloomington Economic Partnership journey, we invite you to attend our quarterly meetings held in person at Civic Plaza or send a trusted delegate if you’re unable to join. Your voice and expertise are invaluable, and we encourage you to dive into discussions, share your insights, and provide thoughtful feedback. Together, let’s foster a spirit of collaboration – approaching each conversation with curiosity, openness, and a shared passion for shaping a thriving and inclusive community. 

Target audience

• Large employer representatives from Community Relations, Human Resources, Executive/leadership-level departments.
• Representatives from educational institutions or community groups focused in the workforce training and education space.
• Marketing professionals interested in positioning the City of Bloomington for talent or business attraction.
• Non-Profits focused on local and regional workforce development and/or business growth.
• Young people seeking professional growth in Bloomington. 

Meeting structure

BEP meets on a quarterly basis, with a different topic or theme focus for each. Quarterly meetings include two events per quarter: 

• The Partnership Meeting (~90 minutes)
  • Info sharing on topic/theme, often with guest speakers
• The Workshop (~90 minutes)
  • Participatory, deliverable-focused 

2026 Meeting schedule

Q1 Topic: “Building Inclusive, High-Retention Workplaces”

• Tuesday, March 17th, 11:30AM – 1:30PM at Bloomington Civic Plaza
• Thursday, April 2nd, 11:30AM – 1:00PM at Bloomington Civic Plaza

Q2 Topic: “City of Bloomington’s Comprehensive Plan”

• Thursday, May 21st, 11:30AM-1:00PM at Bloomington Civic Plaza
• Thursday, June 4th, 11:30AM-1:00PM at Bloomington Civic Plaza

Q3 Topic: “Local Purchasing and Target Markets”

• Thursday, August 20th, 11:30AM-1:00PM at Bloomington Civic Plaza
• Thursday, September 3rd, 11:30AM-1:00PM at Bloomington Civic Plaza

Q4 Topic: “Childcare”

• Thursday, November 19th, 11:30AM-1:00PM at Bloomington Civic Plaza
• Thursday, December 3rd, 11:30AM-1:00PM at Bloomington Civic Plaza