New Life Sciences center begins today

By Sarah Morin 331-4363 | smorin@heraldt.com
September 28, 2007

Today, in an open field of murky mulch with a construction trailer and a blue portable toilet, a promise of something that would soon change and improve lives was celebrated.

Community leaders lauded the future Indiana Center for the Life Sciences at a ground-breaking ceremony for the $5 million facility, calling it an innovative investment.

The 20,000 square foot facility will house science labs, classrooms and training programs. The site is adjacent to Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomingon and local life science companies such as BioConvergence and Cook.

Ivy Tech Chancellor John Whikehart said the center will help meet the demand of workforce development in the community, breaking cycles of unemployment and underemployment.

The goal of the facility is to provide training and hands-on experience in life sciences, a growing industry throughout the country. Leaders behind the project think it will serve as a model for other communities across the country.

Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomingon partnered with Monroe County government to build the center next to its campus on Bloomington’s west side. The facility is designed with the Bloomington Life Sciences Partnership.

In August, the Monroe County Redevelopment Commission awarded a $4.5 million contract to Garmong Construction Services of Terre haute.

The center is expected to open next fall.

Ron Walker, president of the Bloomington Economic Development Corp., said the center is an example of what can happen when government, industry and education collaborate.

Representatives from all three praised the center as a way to plan for future jobs and improve the lives of people — not only in the community but patients that may benefit in the future from locally-made medical devices or medicine.

“Tomorrow will be brighter for what we’re doing here today,” said Connie Degen of Cook Pharmica.