WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 10th, 2025.
In today’s broadcast, WFHB News hears from Nathan Ferreira, Executive Director of the Bloomington Housing Authority about impacts to local housing projects from federal job cuts and funding freezes. More in today’s feature report.
WFHB speaks with Courtney Payne-Taylor from the Boys & Girls Club. She helps Bloomington kids learn just about anything. You can learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
City Council Green Lights Funds For Convention Center Expansion
The Bloomington City Council met on March 5th. The council approved Resolution 2025-03, which authorizes the city to issue 46.8 million dollars in lease rental revenue bonds to help finance the expansion of the Bloomington Convention Center. The project would also be funded by an additional 3.6 million dollar premium from the bond sale and 20 million dollars already available from the city’s food and beverage tax fund. City Clerk Nicole Bolden provided an overview of the ordinance.
According to the resolution, if the annual lease payments and food and beverage tax revenue isn’t enough to fund the project, the city will use economic development local income tax funds as a backup. Controller Jessica McClellan said she believes the city is taking a conservative approach in estimating revenue sources for the project.
An attorney from Krohn and Associates, the city’s financial advisor for the project, also explained how the financing structure would function during the construction phase.
Council President Hopi Stosberg asked for clarification on the lease rental structure and the projected food and beverage tax revenue supporting the debt service. The attorney from Krohn and Associated responded.
Council Members Isabel Piedmont-Smith and Stosberg asked about the backup options beyond food and beverage tax revenue.
Stosberg questioned whether the lease agreement was in its final form or if it was more of a draft. Legal and financial advisors said that the lease agreement included in the resolution was in near-final form.
During public comment, President and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Eric Spoonmore said he supports the initiative saying he believes it will help bolster the local economy.
The council voted unanimously to approve Resolution 2025-03. The Bloomington City Council will meet again on March 12th.
Monroe County Board of Commissioners Tackles Public Health and Potholes
On March 6th, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners met for their regular session. Monroe County Health Department Health Administrator Lori Kelley shared an update about a recent increase in Measles cases.
Highway Director Lisa Ridge announced that the governor awarded 1.5 million in grants for various paving projects. Ridge also shared an update that Bloomington’s asphalt supplier will reopen for the season on April 12th.
Once the asphalt supplier is reopened, the city will tackle the potholes that were created by the recent inclement weather.
The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on March 13th.
Feature Report:
Federal budget cuts and hiring freezes are making waves across the country, and here in Bloomington, the impact on affordable housing is already being felt. With funding delays and proposed staffing cuts at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, local housing authorities are bracing for serious challenges.
In this segment, reporter Zero Roze speaks with Nathan Ferreira, Executive Director of the Bloomington Housing Authority, to talk about what these changes mean for housing programs in Monroe County—how they could affect rental assistance, new development projects, and the thousands of residents who rely on affordable housing to stay in their homes. Stay tuned for Part 2 of Correspondent Zero Roze’s conversation with Nathan Ferreira, Executive Director of the Bloomington Housing Authority, later this week on the WFHB Local News.
Courtney Payne-Taylor got her start at the Boys & Girls Club teaching kids how to skateboard. Today Courtney helps club members learn just about anything, and along the way they develop life skills and build confidence. Find out how she connects with the youth of Bloomington on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, Jasmine Wright and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Zero Roze.
This episode of Activate! was produced by Brandon Lee through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
