View news coverage of this announcement below.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Intended to serve middle-income workers, workforce housing is in short supply in communities across south-central Indiana, especially during the current housing price spike. After hearing from employees and surrounding communities, Cook companies committed to helping remove some housing barriers for the workforce in the region.
Cook Medical today announced an initiative to build 300 homes across south-central Indiana to address the critical need for workforce housing. To begin the project, Cook purchased 62 acres of land on Texas Pike in Owen County, across the street from the Cook Spencer facility.
“Addressing the shortage of workforce housing within our region will be a multi-year effort. Our first step is to build approximately 90 houses in Owen County with the goal of providing Cook employees with the first option to purchase the new, single-family homes,” said Steve Ferguson, chairman of the board for Cook Group. “We believe in making our communities stronger and investing in workforce housing is one way we will continue to help our employees and communities reach their full potential, including a dream of home ownership.”
Last year, it was announced that CFC Properties, one of the Cook companies, was selling some of its properties to help Cook meet a growing need in the region – the lack of housing for Cook employees in south-central Indiana. The sale of these properties is being redirected and invested in developing workforce housing in our local communities.
“CFC Properties was established to help downtown Bloomington thrive. Over nearly 50 years, downtown Bloomington has done just that,” said Ron Walker, vice president at CFC Properties. “We’re excited to help communities in south central Indiana thrive through this new initiative.”
Cook will provide employees with access to educational programs and resources to guide them through the homebuying process and prepare them for homeownership. Cook employees will have first access to the homes in Owen county followed by other interested home buyers.
About Cook Medical
Since 1963, Cook Medical has worked closely with physicians to develop technologies that eliminate the need for open surgery. Today we invent, manufacture and deliver a unique portfolio of medical devices to the healthcare systems of the world. Serving patients is a privilege, and we demand the highest standards of quality, ethics and service. We have remained family owned so that we have the freedom to focus on what we care about: patients, our employees and our communities.
Find out more at CookMedical.com and for the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About Cook Group
Cook Group is a family of ethical and entrepreneurial companies that exists to empower people and communities to reach their full potential. Our diverse business portfolio includes companies working in life sciences, business services, resorts, property management, and medical devices. We are a family-owned company with headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana.
Founded in 1963, Cook Group companies today employ more than 12,000 people around the world. We are committed to improving lives by giving back to our communities, supporting our employees and their families, and serving our customers and their patients.
News coverage of this announcement
Wall Street Journal – In Battle for Workers, Companies Build Houses
Inside Indiana Business – Cook Details Plans For 300 New Homes for Employees
Indiana Public Media – Cook Medical buys 62 acres in Owen County for worker housing
The Herald-Times – Cook to build 300 homes in Owen, Orange, Lawrence counties; sales price below $200,000