 This year marks the third year of the Valor Awards, a distinguished ceremony brought to you by the Exchange Club of Northside Bloomington in partnership with the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony is dedicated to honoring the bravery and selflessness of our first responders. Set to spotlight these everyday heroes, the Valor Awards will recognize one individual from each sector for their exemplary service. The event, proudly presented by Simtra BioPharma Solutions, will unfold at Ivy Tech Community College – Bloomington’s Shreve Hall on Thursday, May 14th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Nominations were solicited from Monroe County entities in four categories: law enforcement, fire, correctional center, and dispatch, with an outside selection committee tasked with reviewing submissions. The winners of each category will be announced during the awards presentation. The following individuals have been nominated in recognition for their outstanding service:
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NOTE: This media advisory featuring the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, was originally published by Indiana University on Thursday, October 9th, 2025.  The 2023 Futurecast panelists at the Indianapolis ArtsGarden in downtown Indianapolis. Photo courtesy of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business How will deregulation, artificial intelligence and U.S. tariffs affect economic growth and the rate of inflation in coming months? Will the Federal Reserve again cut rates, with some governmental data suggesting a softening labor market looming? Will the economic picture become clearer in 2026?
And how will the Indiana economy perform, in comparison with the nation? What will result from the state’s new economic development strategy? Economists at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business will address these and other questions during their Futurecast 2026 economic outlook tour, which begins Oct. 29 in downtown Indianapolis. They will present economic forecasts for the nation, Indiana and communities across the state. Beginning with the 8 a.m. event at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, panelists will provide insights on predicted trends in gross domestic product growth, inflation, interest rates, employment and industry. They will evaluate the most likely scenarios overall for businesses and factors that may shape both the economy and financial markets next year.  The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce has announced the recipients of this year’s prestigious community and business awards, to be celebrated at the 110th Annual Meeting & Community Awards, presented by Old National Bank, on Thursday, September 11th, 2025, at the Monroe Convention Center.
This year’s awards and winners are: New Business of the Year: Heartwork Brewing Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for less than five years. Business of the Year: Stonecroft Health Campus Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for five years or more. Community Anchor: Master Rental Recognizes a business or organization that has contributed positively to the local community over a sustained period. 4 Under 40 Awards: Anne Bono Lloyd (Indiana University), Jordan Davis (The Chocolate Moose), Melanie Vehslage (Youth Services Bureau), and Sydney Zulich (Bloom Magazine) 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: Kristina Cowden (Edgewood Intermediate School), Angie Evans (Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship), Dee Minnick (Edgewood Early Education Center), Ashley Sotomayor (Summit Elementary 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: Sandra McGow (Bell Trace Senior Living) Recognizes a Chamber Ambassador who goes above and beyond to champion the Chamber’s mission by welcoming new members, strengthening member engagement, and serving as a vital link between the business community and Chamber staff. Lifetime Achievement: Cary Curry (Curry Auto Center) Recognizes individuals who have had a measurable impact on our community over a sustained period.  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 110th Annual Meeting & Community Awards on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
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, July 28th, at 5:00 p.m. Award Criteria:
The 2025 awards slate includes:
 The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the Women Excel Bloomington (WEB) 2025 award winners. These distinguished women were chosen for their exceptional leadership, business acumen, entrepreneurship, and community involvement. The 15th Annual WEB Awards celebration will take place on Thursday, July 10th, from 5:30 – 8:00 pm at One World at Woolery Mill.
Those to be honored at the 2025 Women Excel Bloomington Awards are:
“Each of these incredible honorees embodies the strength, vision, and compassion that drive our community forward,” said Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Eric Spoonmore. “Their impact is felt not only in their workplaces, but across Bloomington through their service, mentorship, and leadership. We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and recognize the many ways they enrich our community.” 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 2025 WEB Awards, please visit The Chamber’s website at ChamberBloomington.org or call the Chamber at (812) 336-6381.  This year marks the second year of the Valor Awards, a distinguished ceremony brought to you by the Exchange Club of Northside Bloomington in partnership with the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony is dedicated to honoring the bravery and selflessness of our first responders. Set to spotlight these everyday heroes, the Valor Awards will recognize one individual from each sector for their exemplary service. The event, proudly presented by Old National Bank and Weddle Bros. Construction Companies, will unfold at the Monroe Convention Center on Tuesday, May 6th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Nominations were solicited from Monroe County entities in five categories: law enforcement, fire, correctional center, dispatch, and emergency medical technicians, with an outside selection committee tasked with reviewing submissions. The winners of each category will be announced during the awards presentation. The following individuals have been nominated in recognition for their outstanding service:
 The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce it is now accepting nominations for the 15th Annual Women Excel Bloomington (WEB) Awards. 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, July 10th 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:
“We encourage our community to help us recognize the remarkable women who lead with purpose and inspire others to grow,” said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. “By nominating someone for the Women Excel Bloomington Awards, you’re not only honoring their contributions—you’re uplifting the values of leadership, mentorship, and community impact that make Bloomington thrive.” 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 Thursday, May 29th, 2025 at 5:00p.m. Click the video to watch the latest episode of Chamber Insider Update.
Hello, Chamber friends. This is Eric Spoonmore, President and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, and I’m excited to share with you this month's Chamber Insider Update. Thanks for watching, and from all of us at the Chamber, thank you for all that you do to support our community and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. Special thank you to Wes Lasher with The Production House for his time and talent to create this video for us! (http://www.facebook.com/ProductionHouseVideo/) PRESS RELEASE: The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Acquires Best Places to Work Awards9/26/2024  The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and The Mill are excited to announce the transition of the Best Places to Work awards program to the Chamber. This initiative, which has been a fixture in Bloomington’s business community since 2018, will enter an exciting new chapter under the Chamber’s stewardship, with the first event scheduled for November 2025.
Originally created by The Mill in partnership with the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) and the Herald Times, the Best Places to Work awards were designed to celebrate the exceptional companies that contribute to Bloomington’s vibrant work environment. The initiative was developed with a goal to highlight and recognize local businesses while ensuring a low barrier to entry so that all companies could participate and be acknowledged. The Best Places to Work awards recognize companies based on comprehensive survey feedback, assessing various aspects of workplace culture, employee satisfaction, and overall work environment. The results are compiled from surveys distributed to both employees and employers, reflecting the organizations’ commitment to fostering positive workplace environments. Click the video to watch the latest episode of Chamber Insider Update. In this message today, I will be sharing information on our upcoming events including our award winners for the upcoming 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards, our newest Chamber members, and more!
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