Monroe County, Bloomington's business reputation defended at chamber forum

Government officials discussed concerns of local business leaders at a forum Thursday hosted by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce that touched on the future of growth and business in the community.

Mayor Mark Kruzan said that policies, including those opposing the construction of Interstate 69, fair wage initiatives and land restrictions, may have tarnished the image of Bloomington in the business world, but he said the city has weathered economic downturns better than other communities around the state.

Though smart use of economic development incentives played a role, Kruzan said, there’s a quality-of-life element that attract people to the area, even if they don’t necessarily agree with all the policy decisions. “We are different, and that can be a negative to some and a positive to others,” Kruzan said. “But uniqueness is a commodity.”

It’s that mindset and focus on quality of life that area officials will be taking forward as plans are developed to shape the region’s future.

“To think ahead 20 years, one of the best ways to anticipate how that will be is to look back 20 years,” Kruzan said, noting that things such as City Hall, the Smallwood apartment complex and the B-line Trail didn’t exist two decades ago and have dramatically changed the landscape of downtown.

City planning director Tom Micuda said that population will be one of the biggest factors, as the community tips more and more toward nonstudents.

Smaller and more urban areas will be important, especially to older residents who need to be close to amenities.