Illinois State University is revisiting the conversation about an innovation hub and business incubator. The original plans for a physical space were placed on hold in 2022 after a developer decided not to construct a four-story building in Uptown Normal that would have housed the business incubator among other private businesses. 

Illinois State University’s (ISU) New Innovation Hub Looks to Spark Entrepreneurship, Economic Growth in McLean County 

In 2023, Dr. Harriett Steinbach was hired as the director of innovation and strategic partnerships to, among other things, reinvigorate the conversation about the innovation hub and business incubator. Steinbach jumped in visiting other hubs in the Illinois Innovation Network as well as independent business incubators throughout Illinois.  

Steinbach convened a group of campus and community stakeholders and subject matter experts to form the innovation hub strategic plan team. After nearly a year of work, including campus and community focus groups and a public survey of the first draft, the plan was finalized and is now being shared publicly.  

Bloomington-Normal Innovation Hub 2025 – 2030 Strategic Plan 

The plan is broadly focused on sustainability and organized into three strategic directions: social sustainability, environmental sustainability, and economic sustainability. Steinbach said, “This plan builds on the previous plan. It harnesses the existing talents and expertise of our local higher education institutions and acknowledges the changing landscape in the community that has occurred since the original plan.” 

Each of the 15 Illinois Innovation Network’s hubs is expected to identify focus areas among ten prescribed topics: business-building, business incubation, computing, economic development, entrepreneurship, environment and water, food and agriculture, health and wellness, supply chain, and social innovation and impact. The Bloomington-Normal Innovation Hub focuses on business incubation, economic development, entrepreneurship, environment and water, and food and agriculture. “Between grounding our plan in sustainability and our focus areas, we are aligning really well with some of the State of Illinois’ key economic growth areas,” Steinbach indicated. 

One notable change from the previous iteration is the name change to Bloomington-Normal Innovation Hub (BN Hub). Previously referred to as the Illinois State University Hub, the BN Hub is more inclusive, reflecting goals, objectives, and actions that serve and benefit the entire community and not just Illinois State University.  

Another difference is that this plan does not include a makerspace. Due to space and budget limitations, the creation of a makerspace has been removed from the plan. However, hub leaders are confident that maker, inventor, and prototyping needs can still be met. In fall 2023, Illinois State’s Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology (CeMaST) opened a makerspace in its new space on Main Street. These tools and equipment are available to all Illinois State affiliates along with the community. In addition, the Office of Research conducted an inventory finding an abundance of maker equipment throughout campus. Within the community, the Bloomington Public Library hosts a comprehensive suite of services and equipment in its Innovation Lab and the soon to be reopened, renovated Normal Public Library will have something similar. 

The business incubator will be designed for 10-15 startup businesses’ offices along with general members. A variety of programs will be offered to meet the needs of members along with access to consultative professional services and access to mentors. The incubator will not duplicate any existing programming or support for local entrepreneurs but rather will complement and supplement the existing entrepreneurial ecosystem. Staff plan to partner with the McLean County Small Business Development Center and are excited about the relationships that are developing with the Women’s Business Development Center, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the incubator space will also have wet labs available for rent, addressing a critical gap. 

While the development of a business incubator is a significant part of the plan, it is not the entirety of the BN Hub. Other goals and objectives include strengthening and formalizing relationships between major community organizations, leveraging higher education institutions to design collaborative solutions to problems, increasing cross-disciplinary, cross-industry, and cross-institutional research, and advancing environmental stewardship practices. 

“It is exciting to be making progress on the physical space to accompany the work we’ve been doing to help drive innovation in our community and around the state,” said Dr. Craig C. McLauchlan, associate vice president for Research and Graduate Studies. “Illinois State University has played a leading role in the Illinois Innovation Network for years, but this has not been as obvious in our own hub. Dr. Steinbach has been instrumental in driving our progress, in having a well-defined plan that we can build from, and in helping to make connections that are leading to progress. The original plans may not have come to fruition, but we’ve channeled our entrepreneurial spirit and are adapting and modifying to create something that should make a tremendous impact on our community. I am excited for the future!” 

The next step is securing funding and a facility. The BN Hub still has the $3 million originally allocated by the Illinois Innovation Network. It has applied for grants to cover additional costs associated with facility renovations and equipment. Steinbach shared, “The outcome of our grant applications will guide our next steps in acquiring a physical location and inform other subsequent decisions.” In the meantime, staff are designing other aspects of the strategic plan’s implementation. “We will do as much as we can to achieve the plan’s goals and objectives without a physical location,” Steinbach said.  

Anyone interested in learning more about the Bloomington-Normal Innovation Hub or discussing a possible partnership should contact Harriett Steinbach at (309) 438-5769.