Business Barometer

from BLM - Limited - January 2022

Meditation on a Ball of String

Rivian surges past GM after IPO

NORMAL — Rivian Automotive shares on the Nasdaq rose 10% at the opening bell Nov. 11 after its IPO the day before, pushing its valuation over $90 billion, making it more valuable than GM.

Rivian, Ford cancel deal

NORMAL — Rivian Automotive and Ford have canceled plans to develop an electric vehicle after the latter said it has what it needs to develop and compete with its own vehicles without using Rivian’s “skateboard” platform.

BAC expands worker training

BLOOMINGTON — The Bloomington Area Career Center next year will offer a new program that grew out of a perceived need for more workers trained in trades and manufacturing.

Rivian may make RVs

NORMAL — Outdoorsy Inc., which specializes in recreational vehicle rentals, is in discussions to buy electric vehicles from Rivian Automotive, Bloomberg reports.

Home sales up 12.3%

BLOOMINGTON — Home sales increased 12.3% in September compared to the same in period 2020, according to data released by the Mid-Illinois Realtors Association, which covers McLean, Dewitt and Livingston counties.

ISU honors entrepreneur

NORMAL — Illinois State University student Ashley Garrett was named the winner of this year’s Startup Showcase on Nov. 12 for her business, named Curlave, which would sell curly hair extensions for Black women.

Normal seeks developers

NORMAL — Buoyed by growth at Rivian, the town of Normal announced in mid-November it was talking to prospective developers for the planned Trail East and Trail West buildings in uptown.

Train car may become B&B

BLOOMINGTON — David Parker is hoping to make a bedand-breakfast using a 110-year-old electric passenger train car he moved about 50 miles to his backyard off Historic Route 66 in southwest Bloomington.

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EachOfficeIndependentlyOwned&Operated. January 2022 | Limited Magazine 13

Downtown Bloomington First Friday Friday, Dec. 3 Photos by Justin Hurt

Beautiful weather helped bring out the crowds for one of the most popular First Friday events Windows featured everything from dancing presents to the Three Wise Women to a Steampunk party. Shoppers strolled the streets, picking up some unique holiday gifts and enjoying the many lively restaurants and bars of Downtown Bloomington

More photos at pantagraph.com/limited