Regional Opportunity Initiatives has released a plan designed to build a stronger digital infrastructure throughout Monroe County.  The 6-page plan includes five goals with strategies to help implement each goal. Goals are:
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1. Strive to establish and sustain a digital equity ecosystem.
2. Build/upgrade affordable and adequate broadband connectivity throughout the community and improve adoption.
3. Ensure residents have access to quality and reliable devices.
4. Improve digital literacy and skills among all residents.
5. Integrate digital inclusion strategies into community, economic, and workforce development.​

Click here to read the full plan.

At their July 21 meeting, Bloomington Council heard a request from the administration to spend a portion of the total $22.1 million that the city will be receiving from the federal American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA). The request for a $3.35 million appropriation breaks down as follows:
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• $250,000 grant to the Bloomington Housing Authority to create more affordable housing options.
• $1.2 million grant to support the ongoing work of the Housing Insecurity Group, to be administered through United Way of Monroe County.
• $200,000 to establish or support a new landlord risk mitigation fund.
• $150,000 to accelerate inclusive job training and employment growth.
• $175,000 for grants to local arts and cultural groups.
• $550,000 to fund essential deferred maintenance at the Waldron Arts Center. 
• $50,000 for a consultant to evaluate the potential for a new downtown performing arts facility. 

Watch the presentation at the July 21 council meeting on CATS here. Read the staff memo here. The council will discuss the appropriation at their July 28 Committee of the Whole meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. via this Zoom link.

Two workshops focused on soft skills, including applying and interviewing for jobs, will be offered this month through a partnership of WorkOne, My Sister’s Closet, Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM), and the City of Bloomington’s Banneker Community Center and Department of Economic & Sustainable Development.

The July 22 workshop from 5:30-7:30 p.m. will be held at MCUM, 827 W. 14th Court (next to Tri-North Middle School).

The workshop on Saturday, July 24 will run from 10 a.m. to noon at the Banneker Community Center, 930 W. 7th St. 

Free childcare will be provided for children over three. Participants will receive a free bag of groceries and a $10 gift certificate to My Sister's Closet. More info here.

With priorities on quality of place and workforce attraction, the 2020 grant cycle for the Community Impact Funding Initiative is now underway. 

The initiative, administered by the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, funds projects that are "forward thinking, community changing in their implementation, practical in their application and unique to the community." Typically, grants are awarded in the $10,000 to $50,000 range.

The current cycle will emphasize projects identified as priorities in the recent Monroe County Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan. These priorities were shaped with input from an advisory team of 35 that included Erin Predmore, CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, and Christopher Emge, the Chamber's Manager of Talent and Education.

Examples of the plan's priorities:

• Dramatically increase affordable housing supply for low- and moderate-income homeowners and renters.
• Cultivate county connections and countywide identity. 
• Increase public transportation options.
• Support the transition to the modern economy.

On Wednesday, Aug. 7, the Community Foundation will hold an Impact Grant workshop from 10 a.m. until noon at the Fountain Square Ballroom, 101 W. Kirkwood. The event is designed to provide details on the priority focus areas and discuss the application process. You can RSVP for this workshop by emailing Marcus Whited at marcus@cfbmc.org.

The complete timeline:
Aug. 7 – Impact Grant workshop at Fountain Square Ballroom
Sept. 6 – Letters of Intent due to Community Foundation
Sept. 23 – Selected applicants receive invitations for full proposals
Oct. 30 – Full proposals due to Community Foundation
Dec. 12 – Grant awards announced; funding available

Click here for details on the Community Impact Grant Initiative. To read the full Monroe County Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan, click here.​