The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce announced the individuals and organizations that will be honored at this year’s 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards celebration. The award ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 26th, 2024, at the Monroe Convention Center. At the Annual Meeting, the Chamber’s President & CEO, Eric Spoonmore, will provide a year in review, highlighting accomplishments and member news with attendees, as well as sharing future plans. The Chamber will also recognize and honor several members who have been nominated for a variety of awards.
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This year’s awards and winners are:

New Business of the Year: Farm Bureau Insurance – Barrett Agency
Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for less than five years.

Business of the Year: Weddle Bros. Construction Companies
Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for five years or more.

Community Anchor: Constellation Stage + Screen
Recognizes a business or organization that has contributed positively to the local community over a sustained period.

4 Under 40 Awards: Cortnie Jamison (Village Caregiving), Kate Kamel (Boston Scientific), Rish Naran (Andy Mohr) and Michael Waterford (Ivy Tech Community College)
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.

Outstanding Educator Awards: Tyler Abel (Summit Elementary School), Marcus Debro (Bloomington High School North - Retired), Molly Giddens (Batchelor Middle School), Lindsey Owen (Edgewood Primary School)
Recognizes an individual teacher, program director, counselor, administrator, or staff member at Monroe County Community School Corporation or Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation that impacts students in a positive way and works to advance the profession.

Ambassador of the Year: Terri Horne (Callie & Co. Entertainment)
Recognizes a Chamber Ambassador who goes above and beyond to promote the role of The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce in the community by welcoming and building relationships with new members, aid in the retention rate of new and existing members through the Chamber benefits and creates a positive image for the Chamber by acting as liaisons between members and the Chamber staff.

Lifetime Achievement: Jeff Baldwin (Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington)
Recognizes individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on our community over a sustained period.
 
An award will also be given for the “Best of the Best” Business After Hours host and is voted on by Chamber members who have attended Business After Hours events from September 2023-August 2024. “Best of the Best” will be announced at the Annual Meeting.

“The Chamber is incredibly proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of these businesses and individuals,” said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. “Their remarkable contributions not only enhance the vibrancy of our community but also embody the spirit of innovation, resilience, and collaboration that makes Bloomington and Monroe County thrive. We look forward to celebrating their successes and continuing to build on the strong foundation they have helped create.”
 
The 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards celebration will include time to network among attendees prior to the annual meeting and awards presentation. The event will begin at 5:00p.m. and conclude at 8:00p.m. For more information about the 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards, contact The Chamber at (812) 336‐3681 or visit The Chamber’s website at ChamberBloomington.org.

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and Ellettsville Chamber of Commerce issued a joint statement to the Monroe County Commissioners and Monroe County Council this week to urge consideration of a new, more accessible, and cost-effective site option for construction of the new jail.

Bloomington Chamber President & CEO Eric Spoonmore and Board President of the Ellettsville Chamber Christa Curtis addressed the Monroe County Council on August 13 and the Monroe County Board of Commissioner’s meeting on August 14.

The two Chamber leaders presented to County Officials a new site option that is closer to the City of Bloomington. Spoonmore and Curtis also emphasized the fiscal impacts of land acquisition for the new jail. “I think it’s safe to say that these 100 or so acres of vacant land would come at a fraction of the cost of any of the other site options currently under consideration,” Spoonmore said at the County Commissioners meeting.

Spoonmore and Curtis told County Officials that the property located at 3241 W. Woodyard Road in Bloomington would meet the acreage requirements for the new justice center. The property owners expressed interest in selling the land to Monroe County Government and indicated that all necessary infrastructure including water and sewer are available to serve a new jail facility. In addition, owners of a separate property connected to 3421 W. Woodyard Road told County officials they have over 50 more acres of land to assist with jail construction. In total, over 100 acres of vacant land are available at the new site option proposed to County officials.

“We are aware that the County is considering the North Park site as the preferred option for the new justice center at a considerably higher price, and we believe that locating the justice center on that property would not only have negative fiscal impacts for taxpayers, but would be an underutilization of that important location in our community,” Curtis said. “As a gateway to Bloomington and Ellettsville, the North Park property could be incredibly valuable from an economic development standpoint.”

In light of the new site option at Woodyard Road, the Chamber leaders urged continued collaboration among the various property owners involved, elected officials, and local communities to identify and support the most strategic and cost-effective use of land for the new justice facility.
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The full joint statement by the two Chambers of Commerce can be located on the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce's’ website at www.chamberbloomington.org/advocacy

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