When you google “make your own happiness” quotes, all the results follow the same basic premise: Happiness is mostly the result of hard work.
Despite the pandemic, Bloomington’s economy has been on a “lucky streak” of late. The community had significant cash reserves and, through the Mayor’s Recover Forward initiative, has reallocated $6 million to make counter-cyclical investments in our community — whether that be through climate investments, job training, programs to address home insecurity, pay increases for our police force and investing in local food. In addition, the city received $22.1 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, which will be deployed from 2021 through 2023, supporting the same priorities: climate, housing, job growth and public safety.
Bloomington has also been fortunate to attract and grow significant job vacancies from employers large and small during this period. We’re seeing wage growth outperforming our fellow cities statewide. But our winning streak is the result of years of hard work and investment by a combination of individuals and organizations from the public and private sectors, all working together to help improve our city.
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When you think about what you love most about Bloomington, your thoughts might land on our fantastic parking system or our growing network of bike and pedestrian lanes. You might be thinking of our cultural heritage, which is so disproportionate in a city of our size. You may be familiar with the community network of organizations that support the most disadvantaged among us. They could point out the vast natural resources that surround us, be it the Hoosier National Forest, Lake Monroe or the neighbor’s beautiful garden down the road.
None of these quality of life goods were inevitable, and all are in constant danger of decay. Not only did it take significant effort to implement them, but it also takes significant effort to keep them alive. Like the neighbor’s garden, it needs daily tending and feeding for our city to thrive. In fact, the federal funding fertilizer that has been essential to our recent vibrancy during the pandemic will not last past 2023.
As a result, the City Council will consider raising the municipal income tax and introducing general liability to support our city’s future.
Residents may not equally appreciate every aspect of the proposed financing plans. Some residents may be more interested in helping underserved members of our community develop job skills. other residents may be most passionate about investing in climate action or supporting our artists; Still others may focus primarily on our housing issues, or the public transportation system, or public safety. Like the diversity of people and interests in our community, the proposed new funding plans encompass a wide range of investments, all of which are needed.
But together, each of these plans contributes to a greater whole that is helping Bloomington continue to develop and thrive. It will help the city retain and attract the next generation of citizens who are just as committed to the future of the community as previous generations were to building.
This new funding will help us continue to be lucky in the future.
Alex Crowley is Director of Bloomington’s Department of Economic and Sustainable Development.
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