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Bloomington ESD spotlights $16.1M IU Lilly grant, requests one new staffer in 2025 budget
Summary
Economic and Sustainable Development Director Jane Cooper Smith told the council ESD will seek one new FTE in the 2025 budget, highlighted IU's $16,100,000 Lilly collaboration grant, and warned that reductions in one-time CREED and ARPA funding will shrink program-level 'other services' next year.
Jane Cooper Smith, director of Bloomington's Economic and Sustainable Development (ESD) department, presented the department's proposed 2025 budget Tuesday and told the council the office is requesting one additional full-time employee to support capital project oversight and ongoing programming.
At the outset Cooper Smith highlighted a regional grant she described as "a catalytic opportunity": "IU was recently awarded the College and Community Collaboration Grant in the amount of, $16,100,000," she said, citing a Lilly Endowment award that ESD said will support a partnership among the university, the city and the mill to accelerate growth in the trades district and Bloomington's tech sector.
The department's operating request otherwise centers on four goals: (1) completing an economic development strategy and adding a capital-projects manager to oversee major projects like Hopewell; (2) reducing greenhouse gases and building climate resilience; (3) expanding the creative economy; and (4) bolstering small-business resilience and the startup ecosystem. Cooper Smith said ESD currently has eight full-time staff and expects six interns starting this fall.
Cooper Smith told council members that while salary and personnel costs rise because of the requested FTE and a 3% cost-of-living adjustment, the budget shows a roughly 13% reduction in the department's "other services" line next year. She attributed that decline to the loss of one-time CREED funding ($1,075,000) and the phaseout of certain ARPA dollars ($325,000), but said the department will continue programming funded by those prior grants alongside new annual funding.
On sustainability, Cooper Smith said total program funding for 2025 is $2,072,050 and noted a revenue-side boost from anticipated increases in e-scooter licensing fees; she also said the transportation demand management (TDM) budget will be reimbursed at 80% by carbon-reduction program funding the Metropolitan Planning Organization will pass through.
Council members asked whether climate-action programs remain funded at levels comparable to 2024. Cooper Smith replied they are "on par" and said the department supports Project 46 and other council priorities. Public comment included Jen Pearl, president of the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, who voiced support for ESD's investments and the office's role in business retention and site readiness.
Next steps: council members and staff will continue line-item review as the budget process proceeds; Cooper Smith said ESD will return with more detail on its economic development strategy and related implementation plans.
