Indiana Tool & Manufacturing Co. unveils vision for Indiana Innovation Center and District in Plymouth

Indiana Tool & Manufacturing Co. (Indiana Tool) announced Friday that it formed the Indiana Innovation Center and plans to seek annexation of its property into the City of Plymouth, along with rezoning, to support its existing operations and future growth and lay the groundwork for an adjacent innovation district.

Indiana Tool has established the Indiana Innovation Center to help connect Plymouth and Marshall County with the University of Notre Dame, Colfax Corner, regional manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and emerging technology companies. Building on that initiative, Indiana Tool is also seeking to establish an adjacent innovation district focused on advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies, research and commercialization, advanced communications, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and other technology-intensive industries.

The innovation district is intended to leverage Plymouth and Marshall County’s pro-business environment and create a home in Marshall County for business growth and investment. The proposed annexation and rezoning are the first steps in a broader vision for the Indiana Innovation Center, creating an economic development platform that can evolve as technologies, industry needs, energy requirements, and market opportunities change.

The proposed actions would allow Indiana Tool to work with the City of Plymouth toward a potential state district designation and other grants to secure the financial resources and tools necessary to support the broader district vision.

“Our vision is to create a place where new technologies are developed and deployed, companies are created, products are designed and manufactured, and businesses can grow—all here in Plymouth,” said Gary Neidig, President of Indiana Tool. “We want to build the infrastructure and environment that allow Plymouth to compete for industries and technologies that may not even exist today. This is a platform that can evolve over decades as new opportunities emerge.”

Potential long-term economic benefits may include:

• Attracting private investment, including significant technology and infrastructure investment, to Plymouth and Marshall County;
• Creating high-value employment opportunities across manufacturing, research, and emerging technologies;
• Expanding the local tax base through business, industrial, and technology development;
• Building energy, communications, transportation, and other infrastructure capabilities that support future industry;
• Supporting entrepreneurship and commercialization while connecting regional manufacturers with research, technology, and business-development resources; and
• Retaining emerging companies and technologies in Indiana while providing a flexible, contiguous area for long-term investment.

The proposed district would build on the region’s existing manufacturing base. Indiana Tool envisions a collaborative environment in which manufacturers, entrepreneurs, technology companies, educational institutions, and other partners can develop new capabilities, turn ideas into commercially viable products and businesses, and pursue new opportunities as industries evolve.

“Plymouth has an opportunity to build on its strong, diverse manufacturing heritage while positioning itself for the next generation of industry,” said Mayor Robert Listenberger. “The goal is to create the infrastructure and environment that allow innovation, advanced manufacturing, and entrepreneurship to happen together, creating opportunities that can benefit the community for decades to come.”

The annexation and rezoning requests are the initial steps in establishing that framework. Indiana Tool intends to work collaboratively with the City of Plymouth, Marshall County, regional economic development organizations, educational institutions, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders as the vision develops.

“We are grateful for Indiana Tool and the Neidig family’s vision to help position Plymouth for future investment,” said Plymouth Council President Don Ecker, Jr. “We look forward to considering these requests to help bring high-paying jobs and investment to our City and region.”

About Indiana Tool and Manufacturing Co.

Indiana Tool & Manufacturing Co. (Indiana Tool) is a Plymouth, Indiana-based company focused on growing advanced manufacturing companies. Through its manufacturing and innovation initiatives, Indiana Tool is focused on advancing technology, developing new capabilities, and creating opportunities for continued economic growth in Plymouth and throughout the region.