News Releases

Construction of the new city-wide fiber-to-the-home network is vigorously underway, with more than 150,000 feet of underground fiber optic conduit already installed. 

Bloomington is a vibrant community filled with activity. Each month there are numerous opportunities to enjoy and engage socially and civically. The City will provide monthly updates on what is happening in and within the City, and you will discover that no matter your interests or inclinations, there is something for everyone.

Bloomington will receive $1.9 million in grant funding through the state's Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) program. The investment, which affects innovative infrastructure, was reviewed and approved by the Indiana Uplands READI Steering Committee and Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). The Indiana Uplands is an 11-county region encompassing Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, and Washington counties.

In response to the racially motivated violent attack of an Asian student that took place on a Bloomington Transit bus Wednesday, January 11, 2023, the City of Bloomington, Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA), Indiana University, and the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF) invite the community to a rally on February 4 in support of the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander community. 

On January 7 of this year, Tyre Nichols, a resident of Memphis, TN, was pulled over for what police said was reckless driving. During the stop, Nichols was aggressively and brutally beaten by police, which resulted in his death three days later on January 10. Yesterday, January 27, The City of Memphis released body cam and surveillance footage of the traffic stop. The videos showed abhorrent behavior of law enforcement as well as an appalling disregard for his well-being after the beating. 

Proposals from Food and Beverage Artisans and Applications from Farmers due Feb. 24

On January 13, the City announced the activation of a new 501c3 nonprofit to advance several initiatives. We’ve created a Frequently Asked Questions document that answers common questions we’ve received, and it will be updated regularly.

Last night, the City Council approved appropriating proceeds from the recently approved public safety bonds (https://bton.in/OBxjM) for public safety facility improvements, including the purchase of 320 W. 8th Street, a section of the Showers Building adjacent to City Hall. 

The City of Bloomington will host the exhibition Free to Wonder: The Indiana University Prison Arts Initiative Student Exhibition in City Hall’s Atrium Gallery from January 26 - February 17, 2023. The exhibition will feature work by 10 students from Putnamville Correctional Facility who took classes in visual arts techniques, creative writing, and bookmaking taught by former and current IU graduate instructors during fall 2022. An opening reception will take place from 5-7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 3 in the City Hall Atrium at 401 N Morton Street and will feature remarks by IUPAI facilitators and teachers.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Warning for the Bloomington area beginning tonight at 1 a.m. Wednesday. The latest weather forecasts show snow accumulation in Bloomington is expected to be in excess of 3-7 inches, with winds gusting as high as 35 mph. Higher totals are possible.

The City of Bloomington and The Mill today announced they have formalized a new partnership to expand Bloomington’s innovation economy, attract cutting-edge companies, and create high-paying jobs. According to the Innovation Partnership Agreement approved by the Redevelopment Commission (RDC) on January 23 (https://bton.in/nuuxS), The Mill will now manage the development and marketing of the Trades District, a 12-acre portion of the Bloomington Certified Technology Park. 

The City of Bloomington Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) invites residents to apply for City funding to improve their neighborhoods. Applications for funding through four kinds of neighborhood grants described below are now available for the 2023 application cycle.

Street fair-style festival to take place on Fourth Street between Dunn Street and Grant Street in the Dunkirk Square parking lot.

Members of the public are invited to join friends and neighbors to kick off the City of Bloomington’s 2023 Black History Month celebration on January 30 at City Hall (401 N Morton Street). The event begins with a reception in the City Hall Atrium at 6 p.m., with the program beginning in Council Chambers at 7 p.m. The kick-off is free and open to the public.  

Join Mayor John Hamilton and Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael as they discuss a new 501c3 nonprofit to benefit the arts, technology/jobs, and housing in Bloomington.

The City of Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) responded to a fire at 519 N Lincoln, a four-story apartment building, earlier this morning. No injuries to residents were reported; however, two (2) firefighters were transported from the scene by IU Health ambulance to the emergency department for evaluation and later released. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and details are expected to be released when the fire incident report is finalized.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission is announcing a call for artists and arts groups to create art, and historians and storytellers to activate five historically significant sites in Bloomington during community walks planned as part of MLK Remembrance Week, April 4-8, 2023. This week begins on Tuesday, April 4, which marks the 55th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s tragic and untimely death. 

The City of Bloomington is accepting applications from community members who would like to serve on one of the following City boards or commissions.

For her lifelong commitment to justice, passion for serving others, and deep community involvement, Nancy Cross-Harris has been given the City’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award for 2023.

Following the brutal attack of a member of our community, I want to state categorically that here in the city of Bloomington we deplore any form of racism and discrimination, especially hate based violence. This behavior is not acceptable and will be dealt with accordingly.

Mayor John Hamilton today announced the activation of a new 501c3 nonprofit corporation to advance the interests of the community, especially related to Bloomington in three areas - arts, technology/jobs, and housing.

Join Mayor Hamilton and Assistant Director for the Arts Holly Warren as they discuss the arts feasibility study released in October 2022 and the progress made since its publication.

The City of Bloomington’s Redevelopment Commission completed the sale of the Showers Administration Building at 601 N. Morton Street on December 15, 2022. The purchaser, Eurton Qualified Opportunity Fund, LLC, took possession of the property at closing. The purchase price was $400,000 and included the roughly 18,400 square-foot building and the .19 acre lot immediately to the north of the building. 

The City of Bloomington’s Department of Economic and Sustainable Development is providing grant funding of up to $25,000 and technical assistance for organizations and small businesses to improve building efficiency and install solar through the 2023 Solar, Energy Efficiency, & Lighting (SEEL) Program. Nonprofits, community organizations, and small businesses are invited to apply beginning January 18. 

Mayor John Hamilton invites the community to the 2023 City of Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration on Monday, January 16, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

The Sanitation Division will continue picking up live Christmas trees and live wreaths until January 26, 2023. City residents should place their trees and wreaths at the curb for collection on their regular yard waste pick-up days.

Join Mayor John Hamilton and Deputy Mayor Mary Catherine Carmichael as they discuss new city employee benefits in 2023, including two new pilot programs.

In an effort to keep residents informed, we are sharing a press release from Duke Energy regarding their next phases of the Bloomington Rogers Street – 11th Street – Dunn Street Reliability Project. Construction will include new power transmission lines to provide clean and reliable energy for the Bloomington community.

Bloomington is a vibrant community filled with activity. Each month there are numerous opportunities to enjoy and engage socially and civically. The City will provide monthly updates on what is happening in and within the City, and you will discover that no matter your interests or inclinations, there is something for everyone.