The president of a growing Oak Park consulting firm said his company will relocate to Forest Park, taking advantage of cheaper rents and more parking. Jim Price, president of Icomm Consulting, said his telecommunications company will occupy the entire second floor at 7321 Madison beginning May 1.
Staffing levels will likely increase by 50 percent in the coming months, he said.
“We’re excited about it,” Price said.
In February, Price confirmed that he was considering a move to Forest Park from his current location on North Boulevard in Oak Park. Icomm presently has about 30 employees who work with mid-size and larger companies to reduce technology costs. In that niche, Icomm has been able to expand at a time when most companies are making budget cuts.
Renovations to the second-floor space at the corner of Madison and Circle should provide Price with about 8,600-square feet of office space, he said, which is a considerable upgrade from the roughly 4,000-square feet he’s in now. He anticipates his workforce will grow to 45 employees in the coming months.
Several tenants of the second floor will be displaced, most notably Evolution Fitness. A manager at the gym confirmed they will relocate to 711 Madison in Oak Park, and expect to be open for business at that address on April 2. The gym declined to make any further comment on the move.
Mark Hosty, a village commissioner and owner of the corner property, said the other tenants have already relocated. Aside from the fitness center, Hosty said he believes each business stayed within Forest Park.
Marion Street Publishing is located on the second floor of 7321 Madison, but is not relocating. That business owns its office space.
“You’re bringing in people that are going to shop and dine,” Hosty said of Icomm. “They’ll help pick up the economy.”
