Bloomington Ranked 16th Best Performing Small Metro in the Nation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2010

For more information, please contact: Jared Schlemmer, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349.3406, schlemmj@bloomington.in.gov Danise Alano Martin, Director of Economic and Sustainable Development, City of Bloomington, 349.3477



Bloomington, IN -- Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today that Bloomington has been ranked 16th in the nation among 179 small metros based on the growth of jobs, wages and technology according to the Milken Institute, an independent economic global think tank.
The city continues its rapid rise up the Milken Institute's 2010 Best-Performing Cities Index, a yearly report that ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. Just last year the Bloomington Metropolitan Statistical Area ranked 57th, 55th in 2008 and 98th in 2007. Kruzan credits the marked advancement to the City's and private sector's sharp focus on targeting job growth in the technology sector.
"Jobs are fundamental to a healthy, diversified economy and a stable community," Kruzan said. "Economic development is synonymous with quality of life, so these rankings are a sign that the investments the City and our public and private partners are making in Bloomington truly are paying off." Kruzan specifically noted the Bloomington Technology Partnership (BTP) initiative, a partnership between the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation and city government as an example.
The #16 ranking received from the Institute is even more impressive when compared with other small metros in the Indiana. Coming in at 111th, Columbus is the next best small metro in the state. The report also ranks Bloomington 8th in 2008-2009 overall job growth and 3rd in high-tech Gross Domestic Product.
The Milken Institute's full report can be found online at http://bestcities.milkeninstitute.org/bestcities2010.taf. For more information about the City's efforts in economic development, contact Danise Alano Martin, Director of Economic and Sustainable Development at 349-3477 or alanod@bloomington.in.gov.
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