Following two separate reports of shots-fired within the past week and numerous other safety concerns, the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is calling on Monroe County and the City of Bloomington to expedite collaborative efforts to safely close the Powerline encampment located at the Thomson property on Bloomington's southside.

The Chamber stands with Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, the families building and living in homes at Osage Place, and the staff and volunteers working alongside them. The Chamber further submits that leaving individuals in an increasingly violent and unsafe encampment is neither compassionate nor sustainable.

"The public-safety concerns at the Powerline encampment are no longer theoretical; they are an active, daily threat to our community," said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. "With a second shots-fired incident within a one week span near the Osage Place neighborhood, the time for delay is over. Families shouldn't have to wonder if they're safe in their own homes, and the people living at the camp shouldn't be left in dangerous conditions. Accelerating this closure process is an absolute necessity, and we urge the County and City to move forward together without delay to keep residents safe."

The Powerline encampment sits on county-owned property that borders a City of Bloomington neighborhood. To ensure that property lines do not slow down an effective response to these immediate threats, the Chamber recommends the following collaborative steps to support the County in leading the closure and the City in providing necessary public-safety support:

• Accelerating timelines: Mobilizing the people and resources needed to close the site safely ahead of the original September 1 target.
• Bridging jurisdictional boundaries: Pairing a visible Sheriff's Office presence at Thomson with increased, immediate BPD patrols in Osage Place and the surrounding City streets.
• Prioritizing immediate outreach: Connecting service providers, shelter information, and housing resources with individuals at the camp immediately to facilitate safe exits.
• Enhancing data sharing: Equipping law enforcement and outreach workers with real-time information on available beds so individuals have clear, immediate options.
• Ensuring long-term site security: Clearing hazardous debris following the closure, securing the site, and maintaining active monitoring to prevent the encampment from returning.

Supporting people toward stable housing and protecting public safety are not competing goals. The individuals at the Powerline camp deserve a safer path forward, and the neighboring families deserve a secure environment. Both are achievable through immediate, coordinated action.
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"County officials have already recognized that this encampment cannot remain, and the events over the past week underscore the extreme gravity of the situation," Spoonmore said. "By looking beyond jurisdictional boundaries and bringing the right people to the table immediately, we can bring the encampment to a safe, orderly close before further tragedies occur."

​The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the Women Excel Bloomington (WEB) 2026 award winners. These distinguished women were chosen for their exceptional leadership, business acumen, entrepreneurship, and community involvement. The 16th Annual WEB Awards celebration will take place on Tuesday, August 11th, from 5:30 – 8:00 pm at Ivy Tech Community College’s Shreve Hall.
 
Those to be honored at the 2026 Women Excel Bloomington Awards are:
 

• Heather Kinderthain – CEO, Simplified Eldercare
• Norma Landgraff – Global & Local Outreach Assistant, Sherwood Oaks Christian Church | Iglesia Hispana Ministry Leader, Iglesia Hispana
• Shatoyia Moss – Community and Family Resources Director, City of Bloomington
• Esthela O’Neill – Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Ivy Tech Community College - Bloomington
• Jennifer Quick-Cook – CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana
• Linda Grove-Paul – Mae Cassady Lifetime Achievement Award – Vice President of Adult Services, Centerstone

 
“Women Excel Bloomington gives us the opportunity to recognize leaders whose work strengthens not only their organizations, but the broader Bloomington community,” said Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Eric Spoonmore. “This year’s honorees reflect the excellence, service, and commitment that make our community stronger. Their leadership is visible in the people they mentor, the organizations they support, and the lasting impact they continue to make across Monroe County.”
 
The WEB Awards celebrate the achievements of local women leaders who inspire through their actions and initiatives. These women serve as mentors, excel in their professions, and demonstrate outstanding leadership and community service. The WEB Awards is the highlight of the Bloomington Women in Leadership's annual calendar and honors women who balance professional success with a commitment to volunteerism and civic engagement.
 
To learn more about the 2026 WEB Awards, please visit The Chamber’s website at ChamberBloomington.org or call the Chamber at (812) 336-6381.

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for community awards that recognize and honor individuals, businesses and organizations that have distinguished themselves through outstanding volunteerism, accomplishments and contributions in the community. The awards will be presented at The Chamber’s 111th Annual Meeting & Community Awards on Thursday, September 24th, 2026.
 
Anyone in the community may submit nominations. The online forms are available by visiting ChamberBloomington.org or by contacting The Chamber at 812-336-6381 or [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is Friday, August 7th, at 5:00 p.m.
 
Award Criteria:

• The nominee must be a member of The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce or employed by a member organization/business. ‘4 Under 40’ nominees are exempt from this. 
• The nominee cannot have won that category in previous years. ‘Best Places to Work’ is exempt from this.
• A person/organization may be nominated in more than one category. However, each nomination must be submitted separately.
• Please provide as much detail as possible for the nomination. The independent selection committee solely uses the nomination form for selecting the award winners.

 
The 2026 awards seeking nominations includes:

• Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Recognizes individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on our community over a sustained period.
• New Business of the Year
  • Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for less than five years.
• Business of the Year
  • Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for five years or more.
• Community Anchor Award
  • Recognizes a business or organization that has contributed positively to the local community over a sustained period. 
• 4 Under 40 Awards
  • Recognizes young professionals that make a significant impact within their organization through their leadership and work ethic, while also giving back to the community through civic involvement. 
• Best Places to Work
  • Recognizes the area’s best employers and provide organizations with valuable employee feedback for organizations located in Monroe County with at least 6 full-time (or equivalent) employees.