The Shared Drive is back in business — in temporary quarters for now — after an Aug. 24 tornado outbreak in Kokomo heavily damaged the co-working space housed with Inventrek Technology Park.
Now at 1763 E. Lincoln Road, The Shared Drive is one of six Inventrek tenants that have relocated to a commercial office building at the southwest intersection of East Lincoln and Albright roads in Kokomo.
Mike McCool, manager of economic development for the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, thanked building owners Rex Gingerich and Cartright Ellis for their help in keeping the tenants operational while Inventrek undergoes up to $2 million in roof and structural damage.
“By offering our tenants temporary office space at a reduced rate, Gingerich and Ellis have given them the same solid foundation they enjoyed at Inventrek,” McCool said. “It’s clear these two successful businessmen understand the value of the Inventrek program here in Howard County.”
With 98,000-square-feet under roof, Inventrek hosted 26 companies, Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo’s nursing and health science programs and The Shared Drive before the storms hit.
Some 200 people sought refuge inside Inventrek from severe weather that brought an EF-3 tornado through Howard County. No injuries were reported among those inside. However, the facility is expected to be closed at least 4 to 5 months for repairs.
Last October, The Shared Drive, a 3,000-square-foot allotment within Inventrek made possible through a $25,000 grant from Innovate Indiana, celebrated its grand opening as Howard County’s first “co-worker” space. Inventrek itself has close ties to Indiana University, as the facility was established in 2004 with the help of a $1 million federal grant IU Kokomo Chancellor Emerita Ruth Person helped secure.
Read more about the relocations here.
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