news release
Amplify Bloomington, in partnership with the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, announced the launch of Builder’s Room. This is a free six-week program that teaches existing local business owners how to use AI to design and build the digital tools their businesses actually need, from automated customer follow-ups to back-office dashboards, without the need for any coding experience or technical background.
This program is supported by a $39,834 grant from the Indiana Community Collaboration Fund (CCF). This is part of a broader state award announced by Gov. Mike Brown on July 6 to strengthen entrepreneurship and small business growth across Indiana. Builder’s Room is one of 22 community-led, locally-driven projects selected across the state for 2026 CCF funding, totaling $757,000 and is expected to leverage a total investment of $1.18 million to serve more than 6,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners across the state.
Over six weeks, Builder’s Room attendees will demonstrate practical, custom-built solutions at Live Showcase & Demo Days, from identifying real business problems to automated follow-up systems, customer-facing chatbots, simple reporting tools, streamlined quoting systems, and more. This program is aimed at existing businesses in the Bloomington area and is built to fit the schedules of busy owners.
Building globally competitive small businesses is not only good for individual companies, but is the foundation of a resilient and growing local economy, said John Fernandez, CEO of Amplify Bloomington. Builder’s Room gives business owners the tools to compete and win using the same technology used by the world’s largest companies, without the need for a technical team. ”
“As Bloomington’s business community continues to grow and modernize, programs like Builder’s Room are exactly the practical support our members need,” said Eric Spoonmore, president and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to helping local businesses stay competitive and grow for years to come.”
Builder’s Room is led by facilitator John Skolak and supported by Tobey Wyatt, Director of Entrepreneurship Growth at Amplify Bloomington. Applications are now being accepted from established businesses in the Bloomington area who are ready to take advantage of AI. Promotional partners for the program include the City of Bloomington and the Gail and Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship at Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington.
To apply or for more information, please visit: amplifybloomington.org/builders-room
