Bloomington residents will have a chance to explore the city's new Community Health and Wellness Center at a celebration scheduled for Saturday, September 28th, at Creekside Park. The event will feature games, music, food trucks, and activities, along with free flu shots and health information from Bloomington Public Health's mobile hub. Attendees will also learn about new programs and services available at the center.

In other news, Grant Vener and Nick Peterson, owners of Scrambling Egg, won the inaugural Hatch Bloomington contest and will receive $100,000 to open a brick-and-mortar location in the city. The winning entry was selected through community voting and a panel of seven judges, supporting the city's goal of fostering local entrepreneurship.

Bloomington also has reason to celebrate its national reputation. The city was ranked the 7th best place to live in the Midwest by livability.com, which cited the Mall of America, high-quality schools, parks, and the city's emphasis on equity and inclusion as key factors. Additionally, the City of Bloomington's communications team earned three national Savvy Awards from the City-County Communications and Marketing Association, including first place for its "Bloomington forward" voter education plan, second place for the "Notable Neighbor" video series, and third place for the "Bloomington briefing."

Looking ahead, the city's fourth annual Pride event will take place on Sunday, September 22nd, at Bloomington Civic Plaza. This year marks a transition to a community-run event, with local residents forming a board of directors to establish the nonprofit Bloomington MN Pride, which will be fiscally sponsored by Twin Cities Pride.

Nearby Normandale Community College is also experiencing growth, with enrollment projected to increase 15% for Fall 2024, reaching 10,500 students—among the highest levels in the college's history. Dean Charles Frames attributed the growth to campus renovations and programming designed to meet student needs.