Who we are
Revive. Rebuild. Reimagine Bloomingdale.
The Bloomingdale Development Association (BDA) was founded with a simple but powerful belief: rural communities thrive when they invest in their own strengths. Bloomingdale has a proud heritage rooted in farming, local trade, and the resilience of generations who built a life from the land. Today, we honor that legacy by working to restore essential services, strengthen community ties, and create new pathways for opportunity.
Our work begins with food access — a foundational element of community wellbeing — but our mission reaches far beyond a single project. BDA is committed to long-term revitalization guided by Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), a model that recognizes that everything we need to move forward already lives within our people, our land, and our history. By identifying and activating these local strengths, we aim to build a more resilient, connected, and prosperous Bloomingdale for generations to come.
Our Mission
To strengthen and revitalize the Bloomingdale area by restoring essential community services, building sustainable local systems, supporting rural identity and agriculture, and fostering a future rooted in the assets, talents, and values of our residents.
Our Approach
Community-Led Development
We believe that rural communities know what they need — and that solutions are strongest when shaped by those who live here. Every initiative we take is grounded in local voices, local history, and local leadership.
Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD)
Rather than focusing on what is missing, we focus on what Bloomingdale already has: committed residents, deep agricultural roots, strong families, local knowledge, and a landscape that has sustained our village for over a century.
Collaboration & Partnership
Revitalizing a rural community requires cooperation across residents, farmers, schools, libraries, nonprofits, municipalities, and regional partners. We work to bridge these groups to create meaningful, lasting change.
Long-Term Vision
The Food Access Project is only the beginning. Our long-term goals include economic development, agricultural support, local entrepreneurship, rural infrastructure, land revitalization, and expanded community services.
Our Story
BDA was created in 2025 in response to an emerging crisis: the closure of Bloomingdale’s only grocery store. This event made clear how vulnerable our rural community had become — and how urgently a coordinated, forward-thinking response was needed.
What began as a focused effort to restore food access quickly revealed a larger truth: Bloomingdale deserves a sustainable development organization dedicated to protecting and building its future.
BDA now serves as that anchor — bridging community needs, local strengths, and regional resources to create a new chapter for our village.
Who We Serve
Bloomingdale residents and families
Local farmers and producers
Seniors and individuals facing food or transportation barriers
Small businesses and local entrepreneurs
Community institutions and service organizations
Our work supports the entire Bloomingdale area — strengthening the social, economic, and agricultural foundations that allow rural communities to thrive.
What Comes Next
As we launch the Food Access Project, BDA is also laying groundwork for future development efforts. Our long-term plan includes:
Supporting local agriculture and regenerative farming
Encouraging small business growth and entrepreneurship
Revitalizing community spaces and Main Street assets
Building a stronger rural workforce
Improving community health and opportunity
Strengthening Bloomingdale’s resilience for future generations
This is only the beginning — and we’re building it together.
Join Us
Revitalizing Bloomingdale requires all of us. Whether you’re a resident, a farmer, a business owner, a partner organization, or someone who simply cares about rural communities, there is a place for you in this work. Together, we are restoring the heart of our village and shaping a future worthy of Bloomingdale’s proud roots.
Contact us
We’d love to connect with you. Whether you’re a resident, partner, farmer, or supporter, your voice matters in this work. Share a bit about yourself below, and we’ll reach out soon — together, we’re building Bloomingdale’s future.