Cook Medical is developing a medical device manufacturing facility on Indianapolis’ northeast side with a number of community partners. Known as the 38th and Sheridan project, this development is focused on building stronger bonds between the company, its workforce, and the communities that surround the site. The project is based on a new model for community-engaged development that goes beyond traditional corporate social responsibility.
Its uniqueness is derived from both the level of collaboration and coordination between Cook and its development partners, as well as the ways in which this partnership is investing in economic opportunities for all and quality-of-life issues for the neighborhoods around this new manufacturing facility. Cook and its partners are approaching this development with a community viewpoint by seeking input directly from residents and advocates throughout each phase of the project.
Cook has identified an overarching objective of economically lifting the community while not forcing out current residents. This type of displacement often occurs when there is redevelopment in disinvested and underinvested urban areas. A first step toward this objective is to mandate that this development and the manufacturing operations—as well as other investments in community amenities, such as a full-size grocery store—will be built by and employ community residents to the greatest extent possible.
Cook and its partners engaged the IU Public Policy Institute to model the immediate and future economic impacts of the 38th and Sheridan project, provide a set of recommendations on instruments and metrics that will provide feedback on the project’s community impact and employment outcomes over time, and enable a long-term evaluation of this important and innovative project.
