Bloomington, Indiana – The City of Bloomington has taken a major step toward building a more energy-efficient and resilient future after receiving a $250,000 Municipal Investment Fund (MIF) grant to support its new Bloomington Energy Works program. The grant, awarded in partnership with the Indiana Energy Independence Fund, will help the city plan and implement energy efficiency and clean energy projects that aim to lower costs, improve infrastructure, and strengthen the local economy.
The Municipal Investment Fund, a nationwide initiative launched by the Coalition for Green Capital (CGC) and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA), is designed to help communities across all 50 states leverage public and private investment to accelerate smart energy infrastructure development. For Bloomington, the grant is more than a financial boost; it represents a chance to plan projects that could reshape the city’s energy landscape.
Bloomington Energy Works will use the funding to drive public-private partnerships focused on clean power and energy efficiency projects. The program’s approach, described as a ‘whole community approach,’ seeks to accelerate project development while simultaneously creating economic opportunities, reducing energy costs, and building resilience into the city’s energy grid. The grant also opens the door to an additional $2 million in potential funding to fast-track projects that directly benefit residents and businesses.
“Preparing Bloomington for the future means strengthening our infrastructure, lowering costs for residents, and supporting good local jobs,” said Mayor Kerry Thomson. “We’re proud to have been selected by the Coalition for Green Capital and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability to participate in the Municipal Investment Fund program and receive a $250,000 grant. This partnership gives us the tools to plan and deliver projects that make daily life more reliable, affordable, and efficient for everyone who lives and works here.”
A key component of the program is offering free energy audits to building owners across the city, including developers, commercial enterprises, manufacturers, nonprofits, and academic institutions. The audits, conducted by Donovan Energy on a first-come, first-served basis, are designed to identify energy-saving measures tailored to each building’s specific needs. Recommendations may include HVAC optimization, heat pump upgrades, LED lighting improvements, solar panel installations, and more. Building owners will also receive financial analyses detailing the potential return on investment for each proposed upgrade, as well as information on available incentives.
To participate in a free energy audit, interested parties can visit the Bloomington Energy Works website and submit an application. The initiative is expected to help local building owners make informed, cost-effective decisions that reduce energy consumption, cut utility bills, and contribute to the city’s sustainability goals.
In addition to technical support for large buildings, Bloomington Energy Works will launch a public outreach campaign called Energy Navigator! in collaboration with Electrify Indiana. The program will train volunteers to visit neighborhoods, conduct presentations, and host show-and-tell open houses, helping residents understand practical ways to make their homes more energy efficient. Volunteers and community members interested in participating can find event dates and sign-up information on the Bloomington Energy Works website.
“We are grateful that the Coalition for Green Capital and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability chose our community from 114 applicants because we brought them a smart plan to increase renewable energy and energy efficient projects that both benefits the entire community and can leverage every public and private dollar spent,” said Shawn Miya, Assistant Director of Sustainability. “These resources will help us fund the next phase in planning that will result in funding shovel-ready projects that will bring investments to our community, lower cost, protect residents’ health and build local resilience in the face of rising energy costs impacting our community and others like ours across the country.”
Bloomington’s selection was based on both the projected local impact of the proposed projects and their potential to attract further funding and private investment. The city will use the grant to develop a comprehensive plan that is both cost-effective and competitive, creating a roadmap for energy projects that can draw investors while delivering tangible benefits to residents.
Richard Kauffman, CEO of the Coalition for Green Capital, praised the awardees for their innovative approaches. “We are honored to provide funding to communities across the United States under the MIF program so they can take initial steps toward bringing America clean, affordable energy in this time of crisis. We congratulate the winners of this vigorous competition. They are real heroes,” Kauffman said.
Saharnaz Mirzazad, Executive Director of ICLEI USA, emphasized the importance of local leadership in advancing sustainable energy projects. “This funding is about unlocking local leadership and moving forward the kinds of projects that communities have been ready to deliver for years,” she said. “These awards show how public-private partnerships can lead to real progress on energy, infrastructure, and economic resilience. These projects make communities safer, lower energy costs, and meet local needs head-on.”
Bloomington Energy Works is designed to be inclusive and comprehensive, providing both technical guidance for major building projects and educational outreach to residents. By integrating these approaches, the city hopes to accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency measures, while simultaneously strengthening community engagement and fostering a culture of sustainability.
The grant marks a critical first step in what city leaders hope will be a series of investments that create long-term benefits for Bloomington. Through careful planning, strategic partnerships, and community participation, the city aims to develop projects that not only improve energy efficiency but also stimulate the local economy, enhance public health, and bolster resilience against rising energy costs.
City officials encourage all building owners and residents to take advantage of the resources provided through Bloomington Energy Works. Free energy audits, volunteer opportunities, and educational events are available to ensure that every sector of the community can benefit from energy efficiency improvements and clean energy adoption.
For more information about the grant or the program, or to speak directly with city officials, Shawn Miya, Assistant Director of Sustainability, is available at [email protected].
With the Municipal Investment Fund grant in hand, Bloomington is poised to become a model for sustainable urban energy planning, combining public and private resources to create a city that is more efficient, resilient, and ready to face the energy challenges of the future. The collaborative effort promises not only to reduce costs for residents and businesses but also to set a precedent for how cities across the nation can harness smart energy infrastructure investments to build a more sustainable and equitable community.
