Forbes said it best when it ranked Bloomington the #16 Best Small Place to run a business in its 2011 Best Places for Business and Careers issue. Bloomington consistently ranks in the top 20, and has climbed as high as number 4 in the past.

With the City of Bloomington at the helm, our community has become a leader in the and life sciences industries. Companies such as Envisage Technologies, Technology Service Corp., and Cook Pharmica have taken advantage of the vast talent pool graduating from Bloomington's world-renowned educational institutions. Programs like the Bloomington Technology Partnership, InVenture, and the Bloomington Life Sciences Partnership have helped make the city a destination for tech and life sciences businesses, while our economic development tools ensure the kind of responsible growth that is in line with our community's character.

Targeted development districts: Many parts of downtown Bloomington are divided into land-use areas known as Economic Development Districts. Each district provides its own set of financial incentives ranging from grants for facade renovation to tax increment financing reinvestment.

Grants and loans: The City of Bloomington offers several grant and loan incentives for prospective and existing businesses. Sustainable development and arts funding are a special focus of many of the programs. Businesses in proximity to the newly-opened B-Line Trail can also apply for special funding.

Property taxes: Businesses that want to start anew or grow an existing business and can commit to creating "living wage jobs," engaging in serious capital investment and enhancing the local quality of life are eligible for a property tax abatement up to 10 years.

Green building Sustainable development and "green" building is one of the city's top economic priorities. Participating businesses are eligible to receive reductions in setback requirements, waiving of filing fees or increases in residential density allowances.

Innovative zoning Businesses and investors that operate in Bloomington's "urban core" are eligible for Urban Enterprise Zone incentives, including facility improvement loans, historic facade preservation grants and certain tax benefits.

More information on business opportunities is available at the Department of Sustainable Development's website.