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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/)
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NOTE: This news article featuring the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce was originally published by Janis Reeser from The Herald-Times on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026. The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is launching a new health insurance option for its members.
The program, ChamberCare, is designed for small and mid-sized businesses and is available exclusively to chamber members. It offers competitive pricing, statewide provider access and enhanced customer service features, according to a community announcement. ChamberCare is a multiple employer welfare arrangement, or MEWA, available to businesses with two to 50 employees. It offers expedited claims, low-cost medications, affordable outpatient procedures and access to every major hospital and health system in Indiana through the TruConnect provider network. The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce a new partnership with the Indiana Chamber, the Indy Chamber, and SIHO Insurance Services to bring ChamberCare, a high-value health plan designed specifically for small and mid-sized businesses, to employers in the Bloomington community. Available exclusively to members of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, ChamberCare provides competitive pricing, expansive statewide provider access, and enhanced customer service features aimed at addressing one of the most persistent challenges facing small businesses: affordable, high-quality healthcare coverage. ChamberCare is a MEWA (multiple employer welfare arrangement) available to employers with 2–50 employees, offering advantages such as expedited claims, zero- or low-cost medications, more affordable outpatient procedures, and access to every major hospital and health system in Indiana through the TruConnect provider network. Many employers are already receiving quotes up to 20% lower than comparable competitor rates. “Providing affordable, high-quality healthcare options has been an important initiative for us, and our recent member survey made clear that this was a top priority for local employers,” said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. “We heard our members and we delivered—ChamberCare is a meaningful solution that supports small businesses, strengthens our workforce, and helps companies attract and retain talent.” 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/) 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/) NOTE: This guest column article featuring President & CEO Eric Spoonmore, was originally published by The Herald-Times on Friday, November 28th, 2025. On Nov. 3, the Monroe County Council voted to reject the purchase of the North Park property between Bloomington and Ellettsville to construct a $230 million justice complex. The project included a new jail and sheriff’s department, nine new courtrooms with accompanying judges’ chambers and new offices for the prosecutor’s staff, county clerk’s staff and the public defender’s office.
While the proposal for North Park failed, one fact remains: County officials remain committed to the urgent need for, at minimum, a new jail. The existing facility is inadequate and no longer meets modern operational standards. A safe, humane, and functional jail is a critical component of a forward-looking justice system. Fortunately, there are viable and accessible sites near Bloomington where the county can construct a new facility that better reflects our community’s values. And while the jail itself does not need to be located downtown, all other justice-related services absolutely should remain there. The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the hiring of John Skolak as its new Member Services Coordinator. In this role, Skolak will serve as the first point of contact for Chamber members, prospective members, and the public—ensuring a welcoming, professional, and highly engaged experience for the business community. He will support membership growth and retention efforts by coordinating onboarding, ribbon cuttings, member outreach, volunteer committees, and key relationship-building initiatives. Skolak will report directly to Katie Sensabaugh, Vice President of Operations & Membership. “To meet the needs of a growing and increasingly engaged membership, it was essential to bring on a dedicated Member Services Coordinator,” said Sensabaugh. “John brings an incredible blend of relationship-building talent, operational experience, and genuine care for people. His ability to listen closely, connect authentically, and make others feel supported made him a perfect fit for this role.” Skolak first came to Bloomington in 1992 to complete his degrees at Indiana University, earning a double major in Criminal Justice and Photography along with a certificate in Underwater Resource Management. He later earned an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology. His early work in restaurants evolved into a nearly 40-year career spanning restaurant operations, food service distribution, and restaurant-technology innovation. Throughout his career, he has been known for helping people and businesses tell their stories, building strong connections, and improving customer and client experiences. Outside of the Chamber, Skolak is developing a culinary workforce nonprofit, Best Food Forward Bloomington, and creating restaurant-tech tools through his startup, 812 Labs. A lifelong foodie, he believes—as Anthony Bourdain once said—that “travel is not a reward for working, it is education for living.” Originally from Portage, Indiana, he now lives in Bloomington with his wife, seven cats, two dogs, and what he affectionately describes as “a kitchen that’s rarely quiet.” “John’s deep connection to Bloomington, his creative mind, and his passion for helping people succeed make him an outstanding addition to our team,” said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. “We are thrilled to welcome him and look forward to the impact he will have on member engagement and community support.” Skolak’s role with the Chamber was effective November 10th, 2025. 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/) NOTE: This news article featuring Senior Director of Government & Community Relations, Christopher Emge, was originally published by WFHB on Tuesday, October 14th, 2025. The Bloomington City Council met on September 30th. During the meeting, a proposal to name a section of Bloomington the “Stadium District” was introduced. The naming would be the area surrounding Miller-Showers Park. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Katrine Bruner speaks with Co-Founder of Heartwork Brewing Aubrey Williams and Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s Christopher Emge about naming an area in Bloomington the “Stadium District.” She also features perspectives from residents of the area who pushed back against the proposal.
NOTE: This article featuring the Chamber's 4 Under 40 Award Winners, was originally published by Bloom Magazine in the October/November 2025 issue. Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
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Chamber NewsThis blog contains press releases, other news updates from the Chamber, news articles and radio interviews featuring interviews with the Chamber and team members, and much more! Categories
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