Corporate Headquarters: What is it about Bloomington/Normal, Illinois?

What is it about Bloomington/Normal?

For us, it’s a great place to raise a family.

Great schools and lots of parks.

Great golf courses in town, players of any skill level can find a great course to play at, a lot of sporting events, tons and tons of family entertainment.

What is it about Bloomington/Normal for you?

I’d say the short commute time.

Short?  Like how short?

I’d say ten or twelve minutes.

Eight minutes, yeah, it’s great.

Excuse me, how long is your commute?

It’s very short. 

Short?  How short?

I actually can get to work before the song’s done in the car. 

No seriously, how short?

Seriously!  Hop in, I’ll show you. 

Trusting people in Bloomington.

You lied.

I did not lie, it was short!

That wasn’t short, that was “sh”.  We’ll leave the “ort” for later.

So, what is it for you about Bloomington/Normal?

I love the shopping.

I’d say the nightlife’s good, it’s great actually. 

I would say the restaurants. 

Why?

Well they’re fabulous!  Bloomington/Normal is such a diverse community and as a result of that, we have an incredible diverse cuisine here too.

The cost of living is low here. 

Low?  How low?

As low as you can go.  I come from Chicago, and I gotta tell ya, I’d be in an apartment up there for sure.

Why do you live in Bloomington/Normal?

I live in Bloomington/Normal, (1) because I work here.  I also live in Bloomington because it is very centrally located.  It’s in the center of Illinois.  I can get to Chicago, St. Louis, or Indianapolis in a quick 2-1/2 to 3 hour trip.

Really, what is it about Bloomington/Normal?

I guess for me it would have to be the Bloomington airport.

That’s your first choice?

Yeah.

Just between you and me … why?

Well I have to travel a lot for business.

Oh, so where are you going?  Borneo?  Barbados?  Buenes Aires?  Bermuda?

No, Dayton,

Oh Dayton’s nice …

Dubuque maybe …

Oh, Dubuque, that’s the Paris of the Midwest …

… maybe Milwaukee …

Oh, on a lucky day, huh?  Get outta here.

So let me see if I get this …

Bloomington/Normal is just this great community where you have all the advantages.

Right. 

On one hand, you have the small town benefits like nice parks, low cost of living, great schools.  And on the other hand, you have big city benefits like culture, medical care, sports, and tons of great restaurants, you know whatever … and on the other hand, you have the airport which is geographically located to give you access to the rest of the world. 

What’s so funny?

Ummm, that’s three hands.

Well there’s a lot to do in Bloomington – you need three hands, and maybe four legs too!  Thanks for putting that in though. 

So what is it about Bloomington/Normal?

Come find out for yourself.  They did.