Work beginning soon on Indy manufacturing project

INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) — The partners behind a $7 million manufacturing plant on the northeast side of Indianapolis say construction is expected to begin this month. Bloomington-based Cook Medical Group and Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana say they have also begun hiring toward the goal of providing 100 jobs to area residents.

Plans for the 40,000-square-foot facility were first announced in November. Cook and Goodwill said the goal of the project is to bring support to an impoverished part of the community.

Site prep for the facility on East 38th Street near Arlington Avenue continues ahead of the start of construction. Cook says the FDA-approved facility will produce medical devices such as drainage catheters, needles, sheaths and introducers, which will be shipped to Bloomington before being sent around the world.

Last week, Cook Medical announced it had hired Harmon Construction Inc. as general contractor for the project. Cook says the selection will ensure the project’s goal of having 100% minority-owned construction companies working on the facility.

The new jobs at the manufacturing plant are expected to have an average wage of $16 per hour. Employees will also have access to wrap-around services, such as housing support, as well as benefits.

In November, Cook Group President Pete Yonkman appeared on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick to talk about the project. You can watch the full interview by clicking here.