City of Bloomington, IN - Economic & Sustainable Development

06/08/2026

06/06/2026

ESD is at the farmers market today! Have questions about heat pumps, solar PV systems, electric vehicle charging, composting, native gardens and the grants and rebates available for them? Shawn Miya, Assistant Director of Sustainability, is ready to help answer them.

06/04/2026

IDEM Forecasts Statewide Air Quality Action Day for Thursday, June 4.

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has forecast an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) throughout Indiana for Thursday, June 4, 2026.

Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range (Orange) throughout the state.
Today will bring warm, dry, and sunny conditions. Highs are expected to reach at least the mid 80's across the state. This is consistent with recent conditions, and ozone measurements have been increasing during this period as we have remained in the same air mass for multiple days. This is expected to result in measurements continuing to increase and in Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range (Orange) for Ozone.

Hoosiers can visit SmogWatch.IN.gov to:
View air quality information for all Indiana counties, including a state map of affected counties;
Learn more about Air Quality Action Days and recommended actions;
Learn more about ozone and fine particulate matter; and
Sign up for air quality alerts.
Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. (24-hours) on the specified date. Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs. For more information, go to idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules.
To learn more or sign up for air quality alerts, visit SmogWatch.IN.gov.

Note: IDEM forecasts are based, solely or in part, on data from air quality monitors located throughout the state. Air quality information for all Indiana counties can be found at SmogWatch.IN.gov.

05/21/2026

We are celebrating a major investment in our community’s food security and climate resilience!

Thanks to a nearly $45,000 grant provided by the City of Bloomington through the Solar, Energy Efficiency, and Lighting Program (SEEL), Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard now has a new solar system and battery energy storage system. The food bank will be more resilient to power outages caused by severe weather because the battery will keep critical refrigerators running longer, reducing the risk of food loss.

The new solar panels expand the existing array at Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard from a prior $25,000 SEEL Grant in 2023. By covering around 60% of the food bank’s energy consumption, the solar system allows MHC to dedicate more funds to increasing access to nutritious food instead of paying electricity bills. It also decreases their greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel consumption.

Congratulations to Megan Betz and all the staff at Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, and thanks to our current program partner Solar Energy Solutions and previous program partner MPI Solar.

Find out more about the SEEL program at https://bton.in/seel

04/28/2026

Congratulations to Covenant Christian Early Learning Place (CCELP) for receiving a $10,000 grant through the City of Bloomington's Solar, Energy Efficiency, and Lighting (SEEL) Program! They used this grant funding to replace their entryway door and install a heat pump at their daycare.

The new and improved double-pane insulated glass door (pictured behind staff and students) replaced an entryway suffering from gaps around each door panel, allowing air intrusion into the lobby of the daycare. To improve energy efficiency, their door frame was filled with spray foam insulation, equipped with perimeter weatherstripping, and fitted with a thermal break threshold.

The SEEL Grant program 2026 applications are open for nonprofits and small businesses in Bloomington. Learn more and apply at https://bloomington.in.gov/sustainability/seel

04/28/2026

The Department of Economic and Sustainable Development funded six new bus stop shelters along Bloomington Transit bus routes, installed by CGR Services. The selected locations are well-used bus stops that previously lacked shade and protection from severe weather.

Sheltered bus stops are important for riders who rely on public transportation in areas with high urban heat exposure, as well as during storms. The added comfort encourages bus ridership, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions from single occupancy vehicles. Each shelter features a solar-powered light and a decorative banner designed by a local artist. The contributing artists are Izzie Aguilar, Malory Owen, and Rachel Kavathe.

The new shelter locations are:

15th Street & Lindberg

1200 S. Rogers Street

122 E. Miller Drive

2801 E. Buick Cadillac Boulevard

3100 S. Walnut Street Pike

E Rogers Road & Winding Brook Circle

04/27/2026

Congratulations to Bloomington Cooperative Living for receiving a $10,000 grant through the City of Bloomington's Solar, Energy Efficiency, and Lighting (SEEL) Program! They used this grant funding to supplement the cost of three EnergyStar-certified Tempstar Ion variable speed heat pumps at the Middle Earth house on Kirkwood Avenue.

Heat pumps are highly efficient cooling and heating systems that move heat rather than generating it. They offer reliable temperature control, enhancing indoor comfort and saving money on electric bills. The residents of Bloomington Cooperative Living look forward to a more consistently cool dwelling this summer.

The SEEL Grant program 2026 applications are open for nonprofits and small business in Bloomington. Learn more and apply at https://bloomington.in.gov/sustainability/seel

04/27/2026

On March 28, 2026, CanopyBloomington and community volunteers planted nearly 100 trees in the Crestmont and Walnut Woods neighborhoods as part of the city’s Cool Corridor program. 🌳

The city invests in planting trees because they provide much-needed shade along sidewalks to help protect residents from extreme heat exposure. They also help to prevent floods, improve air quality, provide habitat to wildlife, and studies have shown they improve our mental health.

04/22/2026

Meet the new e-bikers from ESD's 2026 e-Bike Voucher Program! 🚴‍♀️

The City of Bloomington’s Pilot e-bike Voucher Program provides point-of-purchase vouchers of up to $2,000 for qualifying Bloomington residents that can be used towards the purchase of an e-bike at participating bike local shops.

Bloomington’s e-bike voucher program helps support the City’s Climate Action Plan goal to decrease on-road vehicle miles traveled by 8% of 2018 values.

In addition to supporting the City’s transportation demand management and sustainability goals, the e-bike voucher program carries a number of resident-based co-benefits including increased physical activity, decreased traffic congestion, and improved overall quality of life.

Interested? Learn more and check for updates on the 2027 voucher program at bloomington.in.gov/sustainability/e-bike-vouchers