March 31, 2026 

Nik Duffle, Director of

Economic Development 

March was a month defined by collaboration and advocacy for the Town. From strengthening local partnerships through the Town/Gown Cohort to elevating our community’s priorities on a national stage during the annual One Voice trip, these efforts highlight our continued commitment to thoughtful and strategic engagement.

The Town/Gown Cohort brings together key stakeholders to deepen alignment between the Town, City and Illinois State, fostering conversations that support long-term economic vitality and shared success. Meanwhile, our visit to Washington, D.C. provided an important opportunity to advocate for critical initiatives, build relationships with federal partners, and ensure the Bloomington-Normal region remains well-positioned for future investment.

Together, these efforts reflect a proactive approach to leadership, one that prioritizes partnership and keeps Normal moving forward. Thank you for reading and for being an important part of Normal’s growing and thriving business community!

The Town of Normal has partnered with Illinois State University and the City of Bloomington to strengthen collaboration between the University and its municipal partners.

Findings from the Optimal College Town Assessment (OCTA) recently highlighted a gap in engagement, particularly with business and nonprofit sectors. Despite strong relationships with government and education partners, addressing this gap presents an opportunity to better align community priorities and enhance regional impact.

To support this effort, the Town is assisting with establishing a formal town-gown advisory committee. These initiatives are designed to improve communication, increase visibility, and facilitate more intentional coordination across public, private and nonprofit sectors.

This benefits the Town by creating a stronger university-community alignment that will help advance shared priorities, including workforce development, expanded professional education opportunities, and solutions to critical challenges such as housing. Increased collaboration will also contribute to a more connected community, supporting student engagement and long-term talent retention.

This coordinated approach reinforces the Town of Normal’s commitment to building a more integrated, community partnership with Illinois State University and the City of Bloomington. 

In early March, representatives from the Town traveled to Washington, D.C. for both the Town’s annual federal fly-in and the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council’s One Voice trip.

These visits provided an important opportunity to advocate for the Bloomington-Normal region alongside community partners, including the City of Bloomington, Illinois State University, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and McLean County Government. 

By coordinating our efforts, we elevate shared regional priorities and ensure our community’s voice is heard at the federal level.

A notable highlight is that the Town currently has eight active projects and initiatives receiving federal support, an accomplishment that underscores the strength of these partnerships. Town leadership, including Mayor Chris Koos, City Manager Pamela Reece, and Public Works Director Ryan Otto, and Economic Development Director Nik Duffle, met with members of the congressional delegation to provide updates and discuss continued progress.

The Town of Normal values these federal relationships and local partnerships. The opportunities they create allow the Town to continue investing in infrastructure, economic growth, and quality of life for the community.

Throughout January and February 2026, the Town continued its momentum from the previous year, issuing 15 commercial permits at a valuation of nearly $2.7 million. To stay up to date with commercial developments, visit the Town's Open Data Portal.