B-N EDC prepares for One Voice Trip to the nation’s capital

Posted on February 24, 2018
The Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council is seeking funds for local projects in Washington D.C. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council)

By Crystal Donaldson

BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council’s annual One Voice trip to the nation’s capitol includes a wish list for various projects, including a push for small business development.

The One Voice trip aims for the EDC and various community members to meet with Illinois congressmen, seeking funds for local projects.

This year’s projects include a Connect Transit transfer center in Downtown Bloomington, an Uptown Normal railroad underpass and federal help for the Central Illinois Regional Airport.

Bloomington-Normal EDC’s Zach Dietmeier said fact-finding from the feds is especially valuable.

“We’ll be visiting with the Small Businesses Administration and that’s just to get to know things about what assistance might be out there,” Dietmeier said. “Not only resources but just how do you start programs from scratch and what places are successful.”

The trip will take place March 6-8.

Crystal Donaldson can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…