A recurring theme in Colorado and so much of the country is the skyrocketing cost of housing. As a result, a Pueblo company says that while it won’t solve the problem of expensive home ownership, it may lessen the pain for at least some people in the market.
The company is IndieDwell and it says it can put families of different sizes in good quality homes for a price that might make home ownership a bit more affordable. IndieDwell hung its shutter in Pueblo nearly two years ago with the promise of not only good paying manufacturing jobs but as many as 160,000 square feet of new housing a year. Additionally, if nothing unexpected upsets the economy and housing demand remains high, which it should, IndieDwell is confident that jobs will double along with the number of new homes built.
The company’s homes may seem unorthodox at first. They should. They’re built from shipping containers. Of course, IndieDwell reworks the structure from top to bottom with high quality building materials, including steel, before calling it a home. But the finished models resemble cottage homes that would blend into any neighborhood in America. The company says its biggest home is its four-bedroom model.
The company’s first Pueblo home, a 960 square-foot model, was just unpacked—each home comes in prefabricated sections—and now sits on Pueblo’s east side. The model’s selling price is $270,000. It may seem high but it’s actually nearly ten percent cheaper than a similarly sized Pueblo home. In this case, it’s a savings of approximately $15,000.
IndieDwell’s models can be shipped in containers, company General Manager Ron Francis told The Pueblo Chieftain. If a buyer chose a Model 9, they would receive it on their lot in three containers. Francis told The Chieftain that IndieDwell’s concept will dispel any preconceived ideas about modular housing. Each home has concrete siding and is energy efficient. And when the keys are turned over to the prospective owner, the home will blend right into the neighborhood.
IndieDwell said it chose Pueblo for its manufacturing location because of the city’s demand for affordable housing and its available workforce, one that it hopes to keep busy. IndieDwell General Manager Ron Francis said it’s important that the company’s integrity is built into every unit that it builds. And in order to do right by the customer, the company will do right by its workers. “We deliver dignity not only to our customers but to our teammates as well.”
An IndieDwell news release estimates that at full strength, Pueblo will have an additional $16 million in worker salary pumped into the local economy. But the benefits of the operation will flow well beyond Pueblo. With Colorado’s housing supply falling well short of meeting demand, IndieDwell anticipates to construct between 300-1,000 affordable homes each year in the state.
IndieDwell’s had a number of locations to choose from before deciding on Pueblo. The city, like so many across the state and country, also offered the company incentives to relocate. The city, through its half cent fund for economic development, primed the pump for IndieDwell with a city council-approved $1.6 million lure. In return, the company promised a commitment of good paying jobs. “We are committed to a highly diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace,” said Francis. “We strive to hire from the community based on aptitude and desire rather an experience.”
Worker pay will average just over $38,000 annually plus benefits. All tolled, the presence of IndieDwell will translate to a $35 million economic impact to Pueblo. It’s a big win for a city with the highest unemployment rate for any city along the Front Range. Francis said IndieDwell’s plan is to meet market needs with a quality product and that includes the right kind of workforce. “We encourage people to visit our website to learn more about our open positions as well as our mission, vision and values.” Whether it’s a skilled trades person or an entry-level applicant, Francis said that if they meet the company’s standards, they will get consideration.
For more information on the company including how to apply for jobs, visit IndieDwell.com or call 719.716.9112.
