Camping World to build call center in Island Lake, without grant
A planned expansion of the Camping World business in Island Lake is moving forward without an $18,000 village grant the retailer requested last month.
Company representatives had wanted the money to install high-speed Internet cables for a new customer call center at the business, 4450 Darrell Road.
They asked for the funds because they said the center would bring jobs and sales tax revenue to town. Village leaders were amenable to cutting Camping World a check.
"I was excited about the prospect of that call center moving in, and we wanted to help them as much as we can," Mayor Charles Amrich said.
Trustees expected to debate the grant request during Thursday's board meeting. But when it came time for discussion, a representative of the company told the panel the money no longer was needed.
Company executives decided to move ahead with the project two weeks ago, not long after the initial discussion with the village board, said Jason Shipley, director of customer engagement for Camping World. Shipley then withdrew the request for the grant.
The customer call center will occupy an existing building on the large Camping World property, Shipley told the Daily Herald.
The center will bring 40 new jobs to Island Lake, "which we're very excited about," Shipley said.
The entire project is expected to cost between $300,000 and $450,000, he said.
"Our hope is to be open and running by midsummer," Shipley said.
Amrich called the company "a good partner" in Island Lake.
"They've brought a lot of revenue into the community," he said. "It's (good) to see them expanding."