Moving Bloomington Forward: Mayor and City Manager present the 2024 State of the City Address
Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse and City Manager Jamie Verbrugge delivered the State of the City Address on Wednesday, March 20. The Minneapolis Regional Chamber event was held at the Zawadi Center, 1701 American Blvd. E., an event and business center with a restaurant and coffee shop that opened its doors last fall.
Mayor Busse presented to around 250 attendees. He spoke of how Bloomington is investing $159 million in the community, enhancing quality of life and protecting natural resources with three projects funded by a voter-approved sales tax last fall. Project planning and community engagement will be underway this year on the three projects: Bloomington Ice Garden renovations, Nine Mile Creek corridor preservation and improvements, and building a new community health and wellness center.
Mayor Busse emphasized how Bloomington recognizes the importance of its business community. The City has many programs, projects and initiatives underway to support economic development.
“We all know that Bloomington is not only a tourist destination. Our city is a great place to work and do business,” Mayor Busse said. “We are working to solidify Bloomington’s reputation as a leader and a remarkable place where businesses of all sizes want to be.”
Some of the work includes construction of a small business center that is being designed to cultivate new businesses and lift up aspiring entrepreneurs. Construction is expected to begin spring 2024, with a grand opening in late 2024 or early 2025. The City also is also working on a five-year economic development action plan that just kicked off this month.
Bloomington is partnering with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber to host Hatch Bloomington, an entrepreneurial pitch competition, with a $100,000 award and community voting.
“Our goal is to draw more small businesses to Bloomington,” Mayor Busse said. “The Hatch winner will have a storefront presence in the city.”
Bloomington is focused on creating and preserving housing people can afford. The City Council made major changes to residential zoning provisions to stimulate more housing production, promote home ownership and lower housing costs by allowing smaller lots, homes and garages. The Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority was also awarded a nearly $3.2 million grant last December to build 27 new single-family homes for households earning at or below 80% of the area median income.
“Housing is a primary wealth-building tool,” Mayor Busse said. “Inequitable access to this opportunity prevents the City from living out the values outlined in its Bloomington. Tomorrow. Together. strategic plan. We want to lower the cost barrier for homebuyers and create and preserve affordable housing.”
To view more from Mayor Busse and City Manager Jamie Verbrugge’s remarks, visit the State of the City at https://blm.mn/soc24.
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