February 27, 2026 

Nik Duffle, Director of

Economic Development 

While February brings winter weather, the momentum across Normal’s business community continues to build. In this month’s edition, we highlight the relocation of Farnsworth Group’s headquarters to Uptown Normal as an exciting investment that reinforces the strength and vibrancy of Uptown. We also invite local businesses to participate in the Town’s annual business survey, now live, which helps guide priorities and strengthen our business climate. In addition, we also celebrate the opening of Chase Bank' s new location in Normal, further expanding financial services and investment in our community. Lastly we wrap up this month's edition with new “Welcome to Normal” video, designed to showcase Normal as a premier destination for business, talent, and opportunity. Thank you for reading and your continued partnership and support!

Farnsworth Group marked a significant investment in the Bloomington-Normal community this past November with the unveiling of its newly renovated office space in the Heartland Bank Building at 200 West College Avenue.

Designed by the firm’s own team, the space now spans the entire third floor and part of the fourth serving as the corporate headquarters for the Company which employs more than 650 employees in 24 office locations nationwide.

“Our goal in this renovation was to retain staff first, and attract new talent second,” said office leader Neil Finlen, PE, a civil engineer who has been with the firm for nearly 50 years. “This is first‑class space for first‑class staff. If we’re not doing this for our staff and our business, we’re falling behind.”

As many organizations continue to navigate hybrid and remote-work dynamics, Farnsworth Group set out to design a space that fosters connection, creativity, and pride. The redesign 

is home to nearly 90 employees and features abundant natural light, 360‑degree exterior windows, open work areas, sit/stand desks, flexible huddle spaces, and a variety of alternative work zones. Amenities such as a coffee bar, modern café, casual seating, and live plants throughout contribute to a welcoming, professional atmosphere. Enhanced technology and conferencing capabilities also make the office a destination for outside client meetings.

“It’s always a great opportunity to re-imagine existing buildings, not to mention it’s a more sustainable approach,” said Farnsworth Group Principal and Architect Paul Wheeler, who led the project design team. “We have a group of architects and engineers who are happy with the space. This is their craft so for them to feel that way is really gratifying. Our people are working home less and coming into the office more because they like it. And that’s really cool.”  

The space highlights Farnsworth Group’s 135‑year history with displays of original survey field books and a historic survey transit in the lobby. The Uptown Normal location further enhances the employee experience, offering immediate access to Uptown Circle, Constitution Trail, and nearby shops and restaurants.

Beyond improving the employee experience, the renovation represents a strategic investment in recruitment and the firm’s long‑term vision.

“There’s a lot of smiling faces around here,” Finlen said. “Bloomington/Normal is such a great place. We are happy to still be headquartered in Bloomington-Normal after all these years and lucky to be part of these fine communities.”

Click here to see a video of the Farnsworth Group office.

The Town's annual Business Survey is now live, and we want to hear from you. Each year, your feedback helps guide priorities, shape programs, and ensure the Town remains responsive to the needs of our local business community. The survey is brief, confidential, and designed to better understand current conditions, opportunities, and challenges facing Normal’s businesses. We encourage you to take a few minutes to share your input and help us continue building a strong and competitive local economy.

The new Chase Bank branch in Normal recently held its grand opening at 107 Veterans Parkway in Normal, marking an expansion of the bank’s presence in the Central Illinois market. Local leaders, including Mayor Koos, joined Chase team members for the celebration, highlighting the bank’s commitment to the community and its role in providing accessible financial services.

The new and modern branch will serve both personal and business customers with a full suite of banking offerings and reinforces Normal’s appeal as a growing location for investment and services.

This reimagined video highlights the Town as a vibrant, connected, and welcoming community. Showcasing Uptown, local businesses, trails, events, and quality-of-life amenities, it truly captures what makes Normal a destination for everyone. It reflects the Town’s ongoing efforts to intentionally market and elevate Normal’s identity, promoting the community not just as a place to live and work, but as a place to experience.