Bloomington's Mayor took center stage at the Zawadi Center, sharing the blueprint for the city's future before an audience of more than 230 local leaders and stakeholders. In a sweeping State of the City address, the Mayor, alongside City Manager Jamie Verbrugge, dove into the details of how a voter-approved sales tax is set to transform Bloomington with a colossal $159 million investment, according to a recent publication.
With this influx of funds, three main projects have been greenlit to uplift the community—revamping the Bloomington Ice Garden, safeguarding the Nine Mile Creek corridor, and constructing a new hub for community health and wellness. But it's not just infrastructure getting a boost; businesses large and small are on the docket for a leg up. On the agenda are Welcoming Wednesdays to aid startups and the freshly launched Bloomington Business Connections in cahoots with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber.
Ingenuity in Bloomington is set to be celebrated through Hatch Bloomington, a pitch event where entrepreneurs can score a cool $100,000 and the chance to set up shop in the city. It's a synergy of "Shark Tank" and "American Idol" by way of community participation, as described by the city's officials. Hopefuls are prompted to check out hatchbloomington.com for the skinny on how to toss their hats into the ring.
Housing policy wasn't left out of the equation either, with the City Council overhauling residential zoning to spur housing production and home ownership. With a nod to economic accessibility, these changes encourage smaller homes, garages, and lots to drive down living costs. As conveyed in the address, "Housing is a primary wealth-building tool. Inequitable access to this opportunity prevents the City from living out the values outlined in its Bloomington. Tomorrow. Together. strategic plan." Adding to that, a $3.2 million grant is poised to bring to life 27 new homes for households earning below 80% of the median income. Interested parties and residents are directed to catch the full discourse at blm.mn/soc.
