The following is a press release written by Desiree Molina for the City of Bloomington.
Bloomington, Ind. – Bloomington has been named the state’s latest Clean Community by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). Established by IDEM in the early 2000s, the Clean Community Program (previously called the Clean Community Challenge) recognizes Indiana counties, cities, and towns that take a proactive, positive approach toward ensuring a better quality of life for all Hoosiers and a healthy economy by working to address community and social issues through sustainable environmental and wellness projects.
Bloomington Stormwater Education Specialist Kriste Lindberg represented the City of Bloomington and accepted Clean Community Program signs and a commemorative flag from IDEM during the 2024 Clean Community Program Annual Meeting in October.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bloomington to the Clean Community Program,” said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “Being a ‘Clean Community’ sends a message to residents and visitors that their city values environmental stewardship. I congratulate Bloomington on their work in earning this recognition.”
Municipalities in the Clean Community Program can progress through three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. All municipalities start as Bronze-level communities. The City of Bloomington is creating a Clean Team of local stakeholders and is working on developing sustainability projects that will allow it to progress to the Silver level.
“The City of Bloomington is delighted to join IDEM's Clean Community Program! This timely endeavor provides ample opportunity to strengthen relationships between the public and private sectors for a win-win. We look forward to working with all for the benefit of the environment in which we live," said Lindberg, who is leading the Clean Communities effort through the Utilities Department’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Program.
Bloomington is Indiana’s tenth municipality to earn the Clean Community designation. Other Clean Communities include: Richmond, Merrillville, Zionsville, Fishers, Brown County, Beech Grove, Fortville, New Chicago, and Evansville.
Find out more at in.gov/idem/partnerships/clean-community.
