Bloomington's local economy is bolstered by small and medium-sized businesses across a variety of industries, none more vibrant than the technology sector that has blossomed here in the last decade. Home-grown tech businesses have taken advantage of a creative and prepared talent pool graduating from Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College, where Informatics programs have continually been recognized nationwide for their excellence. 

Incentive programs fostered by the City have created an environment friendly to successful and sustained growth for start-ups, and the private sector has capitalized on the culture of learning so prevalent here to support and enhance the entire sector.

From Ignite Bloomington to Start-up Weekend, tech sector businesses and the City have partnered to spur creative and collaborative thinking and open exchanges of ideas. Emerging technology businesses have found a network that makes growth easy in our community, an ongoing public-private partnership that has made Bloomington's tech sectors a foundation for the local economy.

The City has also collaborated with the University to create the Certified Technology Park (CTP), a 65-acre district right in the heart of downtown set up to attract and support high-tech businesses. A state designated area, the CTP captures certain state and local tax revenues from business growth and reinvests them back into local start-ups. The Indiana University Research Park and InVenture, a local technology business incubator, have spurred the development of the district and energized businesses to grow and expand.

The Bloomington Technology Partnership (BTP) is yet another partnership the City has cultivated with the private sector in an effort to enhance the local tech industry. Together with the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, Indiana University, Ivy Tech Community College and a number of private technology businesses, the BTP works to attract and retain local talent, provide support for local technology businesses and position Bloomington as the technological center of the Midwest.

Nationally recognized tech companies such as Envisage, Sproutbox, Wisdom Tools and countless others have have decided to call Bloomington home because of its vibrant local economy and the very high quality of life their employees enjoy. Bloomington can be home to your tech business, too. To learn how, check out www.bloomington.in.gov/economicvitality.