Business Guide

Whether your business is a mom-and-pop or a Fortune 500 company, whether you’re looking to establish a new business in Bloomington or your organization has been in business here for a hundred years, the City of Bloomington offers information and resources to help your business be successful. When your business thrives, it’s good for our city, and good for the community.
Assembled here is a user guide for businesses with information on and additional links to topics ranging from planning and zoning principles to parking and transportation, and from regional workforce and demographics data to arts and cultural attractions. If you’ve got a question about Bloomington and your business, but don’t see it answered here, contact the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development at (812) 349-3406.
Also, take a look at the City’s other user guides (such as the Volunteer Guide or Local Arts guide) for even more detailed information to help you lead your business down the right paths in Bloomington. If your organization is a not-for-profit business, check out the Nonprofits Guide.

Local Market and Demographics

Population

The city of Bloomington’s population is estimated at nearly 70,000 people (2005). The presence of Indiana University greatly influences age distribution, with nearly one-fifth of the county’s population in the 20 to 24 age group, and 40 percent between the ages of 15 to 29. The median age for the county (27.4) is thus much younger than that of the state of Indiana (35.9).
Infrastructure

Infrastructure

Planning and Zoning

The City’s Planning Department ensures the sound management of Bloomington's growth and the protection of its quality of life and economic vitality through comprehensive and long-range planning. Contact the Planning Department to discuss building and location plans for your business.

Utilities

Water: The City of Bloomington Utilities Department is a municipally owned water, wastewater and stormwater utility serving the businesses and residents of Bloomington. The community’s water supply is drawn from the Lake Monroe reservoir, the largest manmade body of water in Indiana. Learn about the city’s water quality.

Energy: Local energy supply is provided privately by Duke Energy (800-521-2232) or the Hoosier Energy Cooperative (812.876.0294). Vectren (800-227-1376) provides energy locally in the form of natural gas.

Parking

The City of Bloomington operates three downtown public garages, as well as other convenient metered public parking lots. Daily parking rates as well as monthly permits are available in the garages. Most on-street parking in the downtown business district is free for a two-hour period, but be sure to check the street signs. For parking inquiries, contact the Parking Enforcement Division at 349-3436.

Transportation

Air Services
Monroe County Airport (IATA: BMG, ICAO: KBMG, FAA LID: BMG) is a public airport located four miles southwest of downtown Bloomington. This airport is publicly owned by Monroe County, and has two stretches of runway.

Bus and Shuttle Services

Bloomington Transit (BT) is a Public Transportation Corporation offering extensive bus services including BTAccess, a transportation service for persons with disabilities, and free transfers to IU Campus Bus Service and to Rural Transit.

The Indiana University Campus Bus Service provides free services to students, faculty and visitors on the IU campus.

Rural Transit, operated by the Area 10 Agency on Aging, offers bus service outside of the Bloomington city limits, to everyone in Monroe, Owen, and Lawrence Counties.

Bloomington Shuttle Service offers charter bus and limousine services, as well as scheduled shuttle service between the Indianapolis International Airport and Bloomington, with nine trips daily.

Taxi Service
Yellow/White Cab Co. provides cab service in and around Bloomington. Cabs aren’t hailed on the street, but can be dispatched to your location via phone at (812) 379-9744.

Alternative Transportation
As part of its transportation planning and sustainable city initiatives, the City of Bloomington provides many alternative transportation options such as bike paths and bike lanes, trails, sidewalks and sidepaths.

Bike Routes and Bike Map
Bloomington is one of the nation's most bike-friendly cities, according to Bicycle Magazine. Enjoy a leisurely ride to the heart of downtown for lunch or trek to work on one of the City's many bike paths. View Bloomington's bicycle map.