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BEDC Hosts State of the Bloomington Regional Economy Meeting

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – The Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) hosted a virtual State of the Bloomington Regional Economy meeting on Wednesday, April 29. The event provided an overview of the regional economy in the age of COVID-19; developments from the City of Bloomington’s Economic Stabilization & Recovery work; and updates from Morgan, Owen, and Lawrence County economic development partners on recovery efforts.

 A recording of the event can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/bloomingtonedc/. The full presentation, with accompanying data, is attached.

 Key takeaways from the event were:

  • COVID-19 closures have had a significant impact on employers. Unemployment rates have increased dramatically, with workers in the following industries most impacted: accommodation and food services, manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance, and retail.
  • The City of Bloomington’s Economic Stabilization & Recovery working group has been rolling out short, mid, and long-term initiatives to support businesses and nonprofits impacted by the crisis, to help employers prepare for reopening, and to ensure the local economy can recover in the longer term.
  • Regional collaboration will be key to recovery, given the high degree of economic interconnectedness between Monroe, Morgan, Owen, and Lawrence Counties, and communities throughout South Central Indiana.
  • Moving forward, the BEDC will continue to work with the City of Bloomington's Economic Stabilization & Recovery working group to develop a third phase, economic recovery plan for Bloomington and Monroe County. The BEDC will also collaborate with the Indiana Business Research Center to develop a COVID-19 economic dashboard for Monroe County.

 

A full list of presenters is included below.

State of the Bloomington Regional Economy

Wednesday, April 29, 2020 – 12:00-1:00 pm

Presenters:

State of the Region by the Numbers

  • Indiana Business Research Center, Carol Rogers, Co-Director

Bloomington Economic Stabilization & Recovery Work

  • City of Bloomington, Mayor John Hamilton and Alex Crowley, Director, Economic and Sustainable Development Department

View from Around the Region

  • Bloomington Economic Development Corporation – Jennifer Pearl, President
  • Bedford Chamber | Lawrence County Economic Growth Council - Shance Sizemore, Chief Executive Officer
  • Morgan County Economic Development Corporation - Mike Dellinger, Executive Director
  • Owen County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development - Marce King, Executive Director

 

About the BEDC

The BEDC is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the retention, development, and attraction of quality jobs in Monroe County. The BEDC is funded through memberships from private industry, the City of Bloomington, Town of Ellettsville, Monroe County, Indiana University, and Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington. Grant support is provided by the City of Bloomington. For more information, visit www.bloomingtonedc.com.

 

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Media Contact:

Ellyn Sallee, Project/Development Manager, BEDC, esallee@bloomingtonedc.com