See what makes Bloomington a world-class city in this video, courtesy of Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. |
Located in Monroe County, Indiana and established in 1818, Bloomington was once a wheat field and a public square with 276 feet on each side. In 1825, with just 12 students and one teacher, Indiana Seminary opened its doors. By 1829, it had become a “college,” and a second building had been added. The college had become a university by 1848, with more than 50 students enrolled.
While no one knows exactly how the town was given its name, most oral traditions contend that the name was suggested when a group of early settlers, gazing at the open land from a nearby hill, were struck by the impressive foliage and flowers in bloom.
Today, Bloomington, seat of Monroe County, is home to more than 70,000 residents and Indiana University is one of the nation's foremost higher education institutions.
The culture of learning present so early and prominently in the the community's history has helped to shape the city's character, so it is not surprising Bloomington has produced countless celebrated academics, artists, musicians, athletes and actors.
Bloomington as Indiana's Cultural Gem
From John Mellencamp to Joshua Bell to Hoagy Carmichael to Angelo Pizzo, numerous Hoosiers have attained world acclaim in the arts, have sparked an artistic sensibility in the community, and have given Bloomington a reputation as the cultural gem of Indiana.
Bloomington's cultural diversity matured as the community and the University grew through the 20th century. A significant arts community began to emerge and venues such as the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, which still operates to this day, were built to to cater to this changing population. This expansion of the arts brought with it not only entertainment, but vast economic opportunity.
Today, Bloomington continues to be a city of innovation. With the Creation of BEAD, the Bloomington Entertain and Arts District, Bloomington has made a commitment to further economic development through the arts. This commitment has enabled Bloomington to host events such as the Lotus World Music & Arts Festival, one of the top such festivals in the nation. This distinct approach to economic prosperity has resulted in the city being named #6 among top 2007 Best Small Places for Business and Careers by Forbes Magazine.
Looking Forward: The Tech Sector, Life Sciences, and Sustainability
Looking ahead the City of Bloomington continues to build on its strengths, and this self-investment has resulted in the growth of vibrant technology and life sciences sectors. Entrepreneurial endeavors, often sprouting from IU, have blossomed into nationally-recognized technology businesses that have flourished and reinvested in the community. Likewise, various life science businesses have blossomed and thrived in Bloomington, taking advantage of the extensive pool of local talent graduating from the local higher education institutions. In fact, Bloomington is one
of only five cities in the United States with Proton Therapy Centers for the treatment of cancer.
Sustainability is another important piece of the Bloomington approach to business. Responsible environmental stewardship goes hand-in-hand with responsible economic development and with the City taking the lead, many businesses have implemented green initiatives of their own. The City itself has passed a Green Building Ordinance, ensuring that existing City buildings be evaluated for possible LEED certification while new buildings be built to LEED standards. As a result of these and other energy efficiency efforts, the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns named Bloomington the Indiana Green Community of the Year for 2008.
