Representatives from the city of Bloomington, Indiana University and the Trades District gathered recently to celebrate a $16 million grant meant to accelerate development of an innovation corridor in Bloomington.

More about the grant: Bloomington's Trades District gets $16M infusion from Lilly Endowment

Development of the Trades District is a former industrial area in downtown anchored by the Showers Brothers Furniture Factory site. It includes The Mill, Bloomington's entrepreneurship incubator and coworking space, which opened in 2018. The Mill serves as the Trades District's hub.

Currently under construction is The Forge, a 22,000-square-foot, three-story tech center that could begin welcoming tenants as early as this year. The Forge aims to offer space for growth-stage companies, provide recent IU grads with employment opportunities and tech companies with access to an educated workforce and customers including the U.S. military at Crane.

More about The Forge: This Indiana city is building a $13M tech center to diversify its economy. Will it work?
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