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BNBiz Readies One Voice Federal Gleaning Trip

Ralph Weisheit
/
WGLT

The Bloomington Normal Economic Development Council is readying its annual trip to Washington D.C. 39 members of various groups will pay their own way to the nation's capitol to meet with elected officials and agency workers about the priorities of the region.

WGLT's Charlie Schlenker talks with EDC Vice President Mike O'Grady about the priorities of the trip. O'Grady says this year they are seeking mental health funding, transportation dollars to complete the long envisioned Hamilton Road extension in Bloomington, and money to support science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in the region. Past targeted efforts have included money for Connect Transit, and Uptown Station.

This is the final year of a second term of a president. Even in times of more gentle politics than these, the saying "nothing gets done during an election year" is a truism. Nevertheless, O'Grady says trip is worth making because agency bureaucrats still have money to allocate. Local officials still need to foster relationships with Congressional Representatives and their staff. And, O'Grady says, those in Washington need to see that the McLean County region operates with a collective sense of purpose.

O'Grady also says a side benefit to the annual pilgrimage is that people in Bloomington Normal spend time together during sessions and meals that they would not ordinarily have. He says that results in cooperation on the ground in the twin cities during other parts of the year among stakeholders and groups than can benefit the region.

WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.