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 is seeking nominations for six 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 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
 
Anyone in the community may submit nominations. The online forms are available by visiting www.ChamberBloomington.org or by contacting The Chamber at 812-336-6381 or [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is Monday, August 5th, 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. 
• 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 2024 awards slate 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. 
  • The nominees must be younger than 40 years of age before August 1, 2024. They do not have to be a member of the Chamber.
  • The nominees must not have won the award in the past (see list of past recipients at chamberbloomington.org).
• Outstanding Educator Awards
  • Recognizes an individual teacher, program director, counselor, administrator, or staff member at Monroe County Community School Corporation or Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation.

​The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s Foundation, The Success School, seeks nominations for the Educator of the Year Awards to be held this year, at the Chamber’s 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards on September 26th. Teachers, program directors, counselors, administrators, and instructional staff, from either Monroe County Community School Corporation or Richland Bean-Blossom Community School Corporation are eligible for this recognition.
 
“The Success School is deeply committed to celebrating the outstanding educators who shape the future of our community,” said Katie Sensabaugh, Director of The Chamber’s Foundation & Internal Operations. “These educators not only excel in their professional roles but also significantly contribute to the well-being and development of our students. We are proud to honor their dedication and impact through these awards.”
 
Outstanding Educator Awards will recognize outstanding service and dedication to the field of education, fellow educators, and Monroe County youth.
 
Those wishing to nominate a deserving educator should contact the Chamber’s Success School at (812) 336-6381 or download a nomination application from the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.ChamberBloomington.org. Nominations are due by August 5th, 2024, to be eligible for consideration.
 
The Educator of the Year Awards program was established in 2001 to bring members of the business and education communities together while recognizing and celebrating outstanding contributions in the field of K-12 education. The highly coveted awards are given to individuals who have been nominated by school staff, parents, students, and the business community at the Educator of the Year Awards. This year, the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce will be adding the Educator of the Year award program to the 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards on September 26th.

​The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce it is now accepting nominations for the 14th Annual Women Excel Bloomington (WEB). Each year, several women are recognized for their outstanding leadership in influencing the growth of others in the community and/or in their professional organization. WEB has a history of recognizing local, civic-minded women from various backgrounds and professions who mentor others and lead by example. Through their actions and initiatives, these women serve as an inspiration and demonstrate outstanding leadership in all they do. These prestigious business leadership awards will be presented at the WEB Awards reception scheduled for Thursday, August 22nd at One World at Woolery Mill.
 
WEB nominees serve as an inspiration, helping others to excel as they lead by example. They may be employed in either the business sector or a non-profit organization. Other criteria include:

• The nominees must be at least 21 years of age or older.
• Chamber membership is not required; EXCEPT for nominees who live outside of Monroe County, who must be a Chamber member in good standing.
• Nominees cannot be a previous WEB award winner (a full list is available on our website).
• Nominees should balance their professional contributions with demonstrated leadership through community service or in volunteer capacities outside of their occupational obligations.

 
"The Women Excel Bloomington Awards highlight the incredible achievements of women who make a significant impact in our community," said Eric Spoonmore, President and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. "These women not only excel in their professional roles but also inspire others through their dedication and leadership. We look forward to honoring their contributions and celebrating their successes."
 
Nominations may be submitted on the Chamber’s website (chamberbloomington.org/webnominations). A nomination form is also available online or by calling the Chamber at (812) 336-6381. All nominations should be submitted to the Chamber on or before Monday, July 1, 2024 at 5:00p.m.

At the helm of a city with an unhoused population mired in mental health and substance abuse issues, Kerry Thomson asked a panel of state lawmakers last week what they will do about the statewide crisis.

“It cannot be addressed just at the local level,” the Bloomington mayor's written query stated.

There was discussion of the challenges, but no answers offered when Thomson suggested the state lead the way toward healthcare and recovery instead of the criminal justice system for vulnerable people not receiving care.
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Last year, state lawmakers passed bills to boost funding for mental health services across the state. One increases funding to local mental health centers and another directs $100 million to mental health services.

​The Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business will state-wide tour, Futurecast: Economic Outlook, will come to Bloomington, Ind. on November 9th at the Monroe Convention Center for the 2024 economic forecast in partnership with The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, and the Bloomington Rotary Club. The tour will begin in Indianapolis, Ind. beginning November 1st, 2023.

The Kelley School of Business based on research its Indiana Business Research Center, has been sharing its economic forecasts throughout the state of Indiana for the past 50 years, which has provided crucial economic information needed by many Indiana businesses, government, and nonprofit organizations. This event, previously known as Business Outlook, gives the audience a chance to hear and interact with several of the state's leading economic thinkers as they discuss how the changing economic environment will affect the local region, Indiana, and the nation in the coming year.

“The annual Futurecast event gives our community an inside look into the leading economic research and data analysis at IU’s Kelley School of Business,” said Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Eric Spoonmore. “We are delighted to partner with the Kelley School of Business and the Bloomington Rotary Club to inform our member organizations on the current economic conditions that can guide strategic decision-making in the year ahead.”  ​