MAY 2022 NEWSLETTER

Friends,

This past month brought three very important things that will change Bloomington’s future:

  1. Catalent announced a $350 million investment to bring 1,000 more good-paying jobs to town.

  2. A new $14.5 million in annual revenue will advance our climate response, improve basic city services including public safety, and invest in affordable housing and our public transit system, thanks to City Council’s unanimous adoption of the Economic Development Local Income Tax.  

  3. Meridiam announced a $50+ million investment to build a city wide, high-speed fiber network for all, including the “best digital equity product in the country” in partnership with the City to assure better access for lower-income households.

Each one of these is a really big step forward for Bloomington. The combination is a powerful sign of strong momentum and progress locally. I hope you will join me and thank all the partners and city employees who work so hard to help make our future brighter. 

It’s important to celebrate such tangible progress that benefits our community, and to express gratitude to all who make it possible. Nonetheless, it’s also a hard time to celebrate. 

The people of Ukraine continue to suffer terrible violence and brutality at the hands of an abusive world power. The people of Buffalo are in shock and pain after a horrific racist attack on the African American community, with families grieving and asking how long will the scourge of white supremacy persist? And America is stunned by the potential of losing the protections of Roe v. Wade to a radical, anti-women Supreme Court.   

We work hard locally to advance sustainability, inclusion, and opportunity. We make real progress. And still we are struck by how many challenges loom, and how much more we need to do together across the country and planet toward the same goals. 

Let’s continue the work together locally. And let’s align ourselves with the great work coming out of the Biden/Harris administration. Midterm elections are coming this fall, which will help determine our ability to continue progress. Get involved as much as you can. Amid shocking stories that can break our hearts, we still must take each day to make tomorrow better. And lean into the hope that energizes progress. 

Thank you for your care of our community.

Democratically yours,

John

P.S. You can read more about all three news items at the City website here: bloomington.in.gov/news. One encouraging example: our local program will make high-speed internet available at $30 per month to needy families. The Biden/Harris administration will offer a $30 per month subsidy for those families, making that crucial digital connectivity free. That can literally change lives for kids in school, seniors needing virtual home health care, or parents looking to get online education. Elections matter – let’s win those midterms!!