B-Start, a pre-accelerator program to help launch for-profit innovation-driven businesses in Bloomington, is taking applications for its next cohort.

B-Start participants are at the earliest stage of their business development and are coached through a 5-month process of mentorship and group activities to build a foundation for accelerating the growth of their startups. Click here for the tentative 2020-21 program schedule.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. Click here to apply.

The Hoosier Safe Six campaign, a collaboration led by the Chamber, kicked off a community-wide effort to keep Bloomington and Monroe County healthy, safe and open. The initiative was launched as Indiana University students return to town amid concerns of the spread of COVID-19.

​The campaign includes customizable graphics that businesses and organizations can use, a "real talk" roommate discussion guide, and the Hoosier Safe Six Pledge to support the community. 

The effort is a collaboration with the Chamber, Indiana University, Ivy Tech Bloomington, the City of Bloomington, Monroe County Health Department, Monroe County Community School Corporation and Richland-Bean Blossom School Corporation.

As uncertainty continues regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, our community’s K-12 public school systems recently announced plans for the start of the school year. The trustees and administration for Monroe County Community School Corp. and Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corp. are working to balance safety issues for students and staff while ensuring a positive learning experience.

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce urges support for parents, teachers and students during this stressful time. We encourage employers to be flexible and patient as their employees navigate this shifting landscape. There are no easy answers, but we trust that our local educators are working to find the best possible outcome for students.

Information about MCCSC’s reopening plan is on the district's website. RBBCSC’s back-to-school plan is available here.

Good luck to all students, teachers, and parents for a successful start to the school year. We support you!

The Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corp. board approved its reopening plan on July 7, adding to the school plans already authorized in this area. R-BB's plan requires students and staff to wear face coverings, with some exceptions. Click here for the R-BB reopening plan.

​The Monroe County Community School Corp. board approved its reentry plan in June. It also requires face coverings for students and staff, with exceptions. Click here for the MCCSC Reentry and Recovery Plan.

Information and updates about Indiana University's reopening are available on the IU Fall 2020 site.

Jacinda Townsend Gides was sworn in on Jan. 28 as the newest trustee for the Monroe County Community School Corporation, representing District 6. She replaces Lois Sabo-Skelton, who resigned in late 2019.

​Gides was appointed by a vote of the MCCSC board during a Jan. 21 closed session that followed interviews with six candidates for the position. Click here to watch her interview on CATS.

Click here for a map of MCCSC board districts.

​Trustees of the seven-member MCCSC board serve four-year terms and are paid $2,000 annually plus $112 for each regular meeting, among other compensation. Gides will serve out the remainder of Sabo-Skelton's term, which ends on Dec. 31, 2020. If she wants to continue serving on the board, she would need to run for that seat in 2020. 

Other trustees are: Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer (District 4 – president), Sue Wanzer (District 2 – vice president), Elizabeth Ruh (District 1 – secretary), Martha Street (District 3 – assistant secretary), Keith Klein (District 5) and Brandon Shurr (District 7).

The Monroe County Community School Corporation is seeking to fill a board vacancy for a district covering parts of Bloomington's central and eastern sectors.

MCCSC will be taking applications until Jan. 6, 2020 for the District 6 seat, currently held by Lois Sabo-Skelton.  She announced her resignation in November, to take effect at the end of 2019.

Applicants must have lived in District 6 for at least two years, be a qualified voter and be at least 21 years old. They can't be an MCCSC employee. Click here for additional information about qualifications in the MCCSC bylaws. 

The MCCSC board will make the appointment. The board will interview applicants on Jan. 14th and Jan. 21st and must make an appointment by the end of January. They are expected to announce the appointment at their Jan. 28 meeting, when that new trustee would be sworn in.

Trustees of the seven-member MCCSC board serve four-year terms and are paid $2,000 annually plus $112 for each regular meeting, among other compensation. The appointee would serve out the remainder of Sabo-Skelton's term, which ends on Dec. 31, 2020. If they wanted to continue serving on the board, they would need to run for that seat in 2020.

Click here to see a list of MCCSC board meeting dates in 2020.

Not sure if you live in District 6? Click here to find out using the Monroe County interactive GIS system.