October 29, 2025 

Nik Duffle, Director of

Economic Development 

Fall is a season of growth and progress in Normal and this month’s Business Brief is full of updates that reflect just that. The Town has begun the process of establishing the Uptown North TIF District, a new tool to encourage investment and redevelopment in the community’s Uptown core.

We also celebrate Manufacturing Month by recognizing the incredible impact local manufacturers have on our economy and local workforce. Plus, you’ll find important business license renewal information and a look at the latest commercial activity happening around town.

As always, thank you for being part of what makes Normal a great place to do business!

Town Council has begun taking steps to establish a new Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District in Uptown Normal.

At the Oct. 6 council meeting, the Town adopted an ordinance establishing a public hearing date for Dec. 1, 2025. Following the public hearing, the Council will consider the adoption of the Uptown North TIF district in January.

The project area contains about 24 acres and 29 parcels of real property. The area is mostly built out but consists of vacant buildings and 2.6 acres of parking considered prime for development. Much of the area exhibits deterioration, making the area eligible for TIF districting. 

If approved, this TIF district will provide new economic development opportunities for underutilized properties in the Uptown Normal, furthering the Town’s commitment to reinvesting in its core business district.

How TIF Districts Work

Illinois law allows units of local governments to designate areas within their jurisdiction as Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts. These districts dedicate sales tax revenues and additional property tax revenues generated within the TIF for improvements within the district to encourage new economic development and job creation.  

Funds may be used for costs associated with the development or redevelopment of property within the TIF, allowing blighted, declining and underperforming areas to again become viable, and allowing these areas to compete with vacant land at the edge of urban areas.

Projects in TIF districts typically include:

Visit the Town of Normal's TIF webpage to learn more about TIF Districts in Normal. 

October marks Manufacturing Month and we want to recognize the important role this sector plays in the Bloomington-Normal economy. From large manufacturers like Rivian and Bridgestone, to local entrepreneurs like Destihl, and ACC Electronix, the Town of Normal has a diverse and thriving manufacturing economy. 

Manufacturing is the region’s fourth largest industry, following Finance/Insurance, Healthcare, and Government, and currently supports more than 8,800 jobs. Over the past five years, the sector has seen impressive growth, adding over 6,700 new jobs.

Beyond its strong workforce impact, manufacturing continues to be a major driver of local economic output. The sector contributes more than $2.4 billion to the regional gross product, representing 17.2% of Bloomington-Normal’s total GRP.  

The Town of Normal has seen continued expansion of the local manufacturing base with recent announcements of OPmobility, Adient, and the Rivian Supplier Park; all of which are investing and adding more jobs. This continued growth and investment highlight the importance of manufacturing as a cornerstone of the region’s economic success and future development. 

Town of Normal Business License renewals have begun and are due by January 10, 2026. Businesses with active 2025 business licenses have been emailed renewal applications for 2026. These emails were sent October 15, 2025, and contain individualized links for businesses to update their information as needed.

Businesses who do not submit their renewals via the link provided in the renewal email by October 31, 2025 will be mailed a postcard reminder with instructions on how to submit renewal applications. The 2026 Business License application, which includes both renewals and new applications will be available on the Town of Normal website by November 7, 2025.

To learn more information about Town of Normal Business Licenses, please visit the Town's website for business license information. 

The Town of Normal has seen a robust year for commercial investment in 2025. With 112 commercial permits issued and over $355 million in permit valuation, the Town continues to experience record growth.

Key projects from the Town's Open Data Portal highlight last month's building permit activity. 

The $2.7 million project at the intersection of College Avenue and Landmark Drive to increase capacity, efficiency and safety is on target for completion in mid-November. 

This project installed new traffic signals and widened College Avenue east of Landmark Drive to allow for a second left turn lane.

For more information on Normal road closures and construction projects, visit the Town's GIS web application to view up to date statuses and conditions.