​Whitney Koelling has joined the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce from IU’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) Masters of Public Affairs (MPA) program. She is a Paul D. Coverdell Fellow who is using her experience from her Peace Corps service in the remote Pacific islands of Samoa to work as part of the Chamber's Advocacy Team as Public Policy Specialist for the next two years.

After having spent an extended period of time overseas, she is happy to call Bloomington her new home. Outside of work she loves to kayak on Lake Monroe, eat at many of Bloomington’s delicious local restaurants, and take her Rottweiler puppy to Switchyard Dog Park.

The following press release was issued by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce to oppose the proposed Bloomington Council Ordinance 21-06 regarding homeless encampments: 

Based on overwhelming feedback from members, the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce opposes the proposed Bloomington Council Ordinance 21-06 that would allow encampments in public parks for extended periods.
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“Over the past year we’ve heard increasing complaints and deep concerns voiced by members of the business community regarding encampments at Seminary Park and elsewhere,” said Erin Predmore, the Chamber’s president and CEO.  “We must find an alternative way to support the needs of houseless residents that does not negatively impact local businesses, the jobs they provide, and the broader community.”

Erin Predmore, CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, has been named president of the Crane Regional Defense Group board. 

The CRDG is a citizen-led committee established through partnerships between chambers of commerce, county councils, financial institutions and local business leaders, and championed by the Southern Indiana Business Alliance (SIBA). It is  a subcommittee of the White River Military Coordination Alliance, was established in 2020 as a grassroots effort to expand community support and advocate for Crane at the local and federal level.​

Click here to learn more about the Crane Regional Defense Group.

The Bloomington City Council is considering an ordinance that would allow homeless residents to camp in public parks, under certain conditions. You can read the ordinance here.
 
We need your feedback! Please share your views in this brief survey

The Council's Committee of the Whole will discuss it on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. There will be opportunity for public commentary. Depending on their action, it could be considered for a final vote on March 3. If you prefer to contact councilmembers directly, find their contact information here.
 
Click here to take the survey. Thank you for helping us shape our advocacy efforts on this issue.

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is kicking off the new year with a weekly news quiz, published each Friday and focusing on local issues and member news.

The quiz is designed to help residents become more informed about local government and other community issues, as well as to highlight what's happening with Chamber members.

Click here to take the quiz!

Several employees of Chamber-member organizations were among those honored with The Mill's Fast 15 awards, which recognize Bloomington's fastest-growing businesses and MVP employees.

They include:

• Markay Winston, MCCSC assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction & assessment
• Cory Hawkins, City of Bloomington Banneker Center program specialist
• Molly Nagy, director of people operations at Brainlabs (formerly Hanapin Marketing)
• Kurtis Cummings, founder & president of Switchyard Brewing Co.
• Kyle Caird, Global Vision brand manager at Cook Medical
• Becky Throckmorton, HR manager & EEO officer at Weddle Bros. Construction
• Stephen Crane, Bloomington Herald-Times editor

​Congratulations to these Chamber members and all Fast 15 awardees! Learn more here.

Christopher Emge, principal of the Success School at the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, was appointed this month to the City of Bloomington Parking Commission. 

He was appointed by Mayor John Hamilton for a term ending Jan. 31, 2022.

The Chamber's Success School, formerly known as the Franklin Initiative, acts as the connection between the business community and the education community. Find out more about the Success School here.

In a Dec. 6 article in the Indiana Daily student, Erin Predmore, CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, stressed the importance of shopping locally for the holidays to support Bloomington/Monroe County businesses.

Premore also highlighted the Chamber's Holiday Gift Guide, which provides dozens of suggestions for shopping local. 

​Read the IDS article here.

Chamber CEO Erin Predmore addressed the impact of COVID-19 on the local business community during a Nov. 27 Noon Edition on WFIU. The segment also featured Jeff Meese of One World Enterprises and Efrat Feferman of the Monroe County United Way.

Predmore talked about efforts to support local businesses, including the Chamber's online holiday gift guide, which spotlights more than 100 shops and other businesses.

Click here to listen.