News from Downtown Bloomington, Inc

1. A healthy, viable downtown is a symbol of:
     - Community heritage
     - Quality of place
     - Civic pride
     - Economic health
2. It is an important factor for retail, commercial, professional  and industrial recruitment.
3. Downtown serves as an incubator for small business and entrepreneurship - the success of tomorrow.
4. Downtown represents independent businesses which:
     - Support local families, schools and the community
     - Create a stronger tax base
     - Retains and create jobs
5. Downtown is a major employer.6. A revitalized downtown increases property values in surrounding residential neighborhoods.
7. Rehabilitation work downtown stimulates the local economy.
8. Downtown is the heart of the community; the site for government, retail, arts, financial institutions, offices, services, churches and celebrations.
9. Downtown is an important community space for festivals, parades, and other community events.
10. Downtown is its own tourist attraction, as the location for the community's unique businesses and architecture.

Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Main Street Communities

Downtown Bloomington Inc
Receives 2007 National Trust Main Street Accreditation

Downtown Bloomington Inc. has been designated an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center. Downtown Bloomington Inc. joins 650 other Main Street revitalization programs nationally recognized as 2007 Accredited National Main Street Programs. Each year, the National Trust and its partners announce the accredited Main Street programs that have demonstrated their ability to follow the Main Street methodology and have built strong revitalization organizations.

For more information on the National Program accreditation program, visit www.mainstreet.org/nationalprograms

	Downtown Bloomington Gift Certificates
Need a gift? Why not give the perfect gift, a downtown bloomington gift certificate. Gift certificates can be purchased in $10 and $20 denominations and can be used at any participating DBI business. Purchase your gift certificate at the Bloomington/Monroe Convention Center and at the Downtown Visitors Center/ Sunrise Box Office. Please call 336-3681 with any questions.

SBA - Community Express Loan

Attention all Operating and Start up Businesses.
Looking for business funding options? Attend a free information session to discover the possibilities of SBA Community Express Loan Program. Eligibility, loan amounts, interest rates and requirements for obtaining a business loan will be discussed. Friday, November 9, at 2pm in the Rose Firebay at the Waldron Arts Center. Reservations Required. Email score527@sbcglobal.net to the attention of "Pegi Flahault".

SCORE Chapter 527 program hosted in partnership with Small Business Development Center, Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Bloomington, Inc, Bloomington Area Arts Council, City of Bloomington - Office of the Mayor, Eastside Bloomington, Inc and Women Inspire.

Creating Good Places to Grow Old:
The Municipal Role

Presented by: Phil Stafford, the Director of the Center on Aging and Community at the Institute on Disability and Community at IU.

Cities and towns around the country are continually faced with growing demands to respond to the major demographic shift that accompanies the baby boom. This workshop will assist decision makers by providing a basis for evaluating the increasing numbers of proposals for new developments purporting to meet growing market needs. It will review current work and "livable lifespan communities" in the U.S. and help policy makers make Bloomington and Monroe County great (if not the best) places to grow old.

Thursday, November 8, 2007
3:30 to 5:00pm
City Hall Council Chambers
Register by email at weiserj@bloomington.in.gov or by phone at 812-349-3423.

Sponsored by The City of Bloomington Planning Department

'Tis the Season

Canopy of Lights a sparkling holiday tradition is celebrating its twenty first year. Be a part of Bloomington tradition and watch as Santa flips the switch on the Canopy of Lights transforming Bloomington into a sparkling winter wonderland! This magical event has been drawing generations of families each year. Festivities begin on the southside of Monroe County Courthouse Square with a holiday performance by Bloomington Brass Band followed by Bloomington POPS Yuletide singers. Friday, November 23, 2007 at 6:15pm.

Enjoy a musical evening of Christmas with the POPS at Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The Bloomington POPS Orchestra presents Christmas with the POPS with two performances surrounding the traditional downtown Canopy of Lights on Friday, November 23. First performance is scheduled at 5:30pm, prior to the Canopy of Lights ceremony, and second performance will take place at 8pm afterwards.

For a complete listing of upcoming events, please visit www.downtownbloomington.com

"Shop Downtown Holiday Package"

Attractions, restaurants, galleries, shops, and service providers this is your opportunity to promote your business. Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau is offering a Holiday Package to guests at local hotels. You provide an incentive, i.e. discounts, freebies, buy one/get one, etc., for a visitor and CVB will handle all the details. Vouchers will be created by CVB and distributed throughout the month of December. CVB is working with downtown hotels the IMU, Grant Street Inn, Scholar's Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, and Courtyard Marriott on this project. Upon check-in, guests receive Holiday Package of information including envelope full of vouchers. To participate or questions please call Rob DeCleene at 355-7725 or email rob@visitbloomington.com

2008 Hoosier Hustle

Are you an Amazing Race or Survivor fan? If you are, the Hoosier Hustle, an annual Bloomington Parks and Recreation event, is an experience not to be missed. The Hoosier Hustle is a three- leg adventure challenge that takes participants all over Bloomington. It has been rumored that the Hustle is coming to Downtown in 2008 and is looking for sponsorships from downtown merchants. Interested? Contact Becky Barrick at 349-3715 or email barrickb@bloomington.in.gov.