Semiconductor manufacturer looks to bring operations to old Cook Medical building – Indiana Public Media
Give Now » 
WFIU Public Radio
WTIU Public Television
Choose which station to support!
WFIU Public Radio
WTIU Public Television
Choose which station to support!
The site of the vacant Cook Medical building. (Courtesy of Monroe County Board of Commissioners)
A semiconductor manufacturer wants to start operations at a vacant Cook Medical building on Bloomington’s west side.
NHanced Semiconductors plans to invest $152 million in the property at 301 N. Curry Pike for a new manufacturing facility. The building is located near the intersections of North Curry Pike and Profile Parkway.
The company expects to bring up to 250 new jobs to the area by 2029. On average, each position will pay more than $100,000 per year, in addition to benefits.
Read more: Packaging manufacturer plans expansion at former Otis Elevator site
Tim Conrad, president of the firm Stimulus Economic Development, said NHanced will need not only engineers but technicians as well. Those positions may not require four-year degrees.
The company said it will partner with Ivy Tech Community College and local K-12 schools on training and recruitment.
“(That’s) going to be a very important part of this process,” Conrad said. “Any project that is occurring in the U.S. is going to require very robust training.”
Read more: Monroe County looks to build housing development with COVID relief dollars
Most semiconductor manufacturing has moved to Asia in recent years, according to Conrad. NHanced is based in the U.S., with headquarters in Illinois.
The company’s plan depends on Monroe County approving its request for a 10-year, 100 percent abatement on personal property tax.
Personal property refers to property besides real estate, such as equipment, used in a business or organization.
Read more: Monroe County, Ellettsville look to provide Rural Transit funding through 2024
“The facility would require pretty significant investment to get it up to spec, with all the cleanroom equipment and a heavy investment in very specialized microelectronics manufacturing equipment,” Conrad said.
The Monroe County commissioners unanimously approved NHanced’s request at a Wednesday meeting.
Commissioner Julie Thomas said this could lead to similar business investments in the future.
“It’s pretty exciting to consider the possibility that Profile Parkway may get some long-needed business investments,” she said. “This will, I think, lead to others.”
The request now requires approval from the county council. The council’s next meeting is Dec. 12.
Want to contact your legislators about an issue that matters to you? Find out how to contact your senators and member of Congress here.
Indiana Public Media is the home of WFIU Public Radio WTIU Public Television, including your favorite programming from NPR and PBS. Learn More
© 2024, The Trustees of Indiana University • Copyright Complaints
1229 East Seventh Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405