The Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) has announced that since 2020, Monroe County has seen commitments of more than $1 billion in capital investment and over 900 new jobs created through eleven BEDC-supported projects. These commitments are not just statistics—they represent higher wages for residents, new opportunities for local businesses, and greater tax revenues to support essential services.

Major BEDC-supported projects driving this momentum have included but are not limited to:

• Simtra BioPharma Solutions – $579.8 million combined in commitments for real estate and equipment investments since 2021. Company expansions at the former GE site and new facility will represent 450 new high-wage jobs averaging more than $70,000/year.
• Catalent – $350 million commitment in investments to expand biologics drug substance and product capabilities in 2022.
• Oliver Winery – $12.6 million commitment in 2022 for investment in new equipment to meet national demand, with 21 new jobs.
• PHOENIX – $55.7 million in commitments for site upgrades, equipment, and job growth at the former Otis Elevator site since 2021.
• Bloomington Regional Rehabilitation Hospital – A roughly $20 million new inpatient rehabilitation hospital, bringing an initial 110 high-paying healthcare jobs to the region, followed by continued growth now exceeding 180 staff.
• KeHE – $43 million investment commitment in a new 388,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art food distribution facility in Ellettsville in 2020, with 60 new jobs.
• TASUS – Nearly $1 million invested in new equipment and over 10 new jobs, announced in 2020.
• The Forge – In 2021, the City of Bloomington and BEDC secured a $3.5 million federal grant for The Forge in the Bloomington Trades District. Under the Mill’s leadership, with City and IU support, the district is positioned to compete as an innovation hub.
• New employers the BEDC has helped to attract since 2020 include the Bloomington Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, Almvoy American in 2025, and Swift Energetics & Engineering in 2025. Local jobs were also retained when Proveli acquired and invested in the former Hall Signs in 2020.

In total, these projects represent over $1 billion in investments and 900+ new jobs committed since 2020.

Clark Greiner, the BEDC’s Director of Business Development, plays a key role in these successes. From scouting viable sites to shaping incentives that unlock job growth infrastructure improvements, Greiner is known for bringing out-of-the-box solutions to complex projects.

“Every project represents people—families building their lives here in Monroe County. It’s inspiring to see a vacant site transformed into a hub of opportunity or a local business expand to meet global demand. Being part of the team that helps our community grow stronger every day makes my job rewarding,” said Greiner.

Jennifer Pearl, President of the BEDC, added, “This is a huge milestone as we celebrate our 40th anniversary and move through our three-year strategic plan. We’ve hit our major business attraction and expansion goals a year and a half early. As a small but mighty team, we focus on results that make Monroe County a better place to live, work, and grow. And we’re just getting started.”

Pearl emphasized that none of this would be possible without the support of BEDC’s members, investors, IU, Ivy Tech, community stakeholders and local governments (Monroe County, City of Bloomington, and Town of Ellettsville). Economic development takes a village and public-private partnerships are at the core of the BEDC’s work.

The BEDC, founded in 1985, has spent the past four decades fostering job creation, wage growth, and community prosperity. Today, its work continues to focus on building a strong regional economy by supporting local business expansion, attracting new investment, and strengthening Monroe County’s workforce.