A Franklin software firm is relocating to the former Oak Creek police department building, allowing the company to nearly double in size over the next three years.
Competitive Edge Software Inc., will move from 9850 S. 54th St. in Franklin to the former police station at 7625 S. Howell Ave. It’s a perfect fit for a company that’s chief executive officer is a former Oak Creek police officer.
Sean Mars started Competitive Edge Software in 1995, after developing an application that would lessen the amount of paperwork he and his fellow officers would have to do. Local police departments began using his tool and he eventually was able to start and grow the company, said Nick Kehoe, chief executive officer.
The Oak Creek building has 13,000 square feet of office space and about 2,500 square feet of warehouse space. Comparatively, in Franklin, the company had about 6,000 square feet of office space and 6,000 square feet of warehouse space for its 46 employees.
“Right now we don’t have space in our parking lot and all of our rooms are packed like sardines,” Kehoe said. “We will be able to spread out and this gives us a chance to expand in the future.”
Competitive Edge is planning to add about 30 jobs over the next three years. Positions will include software developers, project managers, technical support and sales, Kehoe said.
As far as the warehouse space that is being given up, Kehoe said that’s mostly a “fun zone.”
“We don’t really warehouse anything,” he joked. “We have a Foosball table and play basketball.”
Midwest Paralegal Services moved into the former Oak Creek police department building in 2004, and remodeled the building into office space. Competitive Edge is planning minor cosmetic changes and plans to move in August.
Competitive Edge decided on Oak Creek based on its central location. And of course, having an opportunity to purchase the former police department was a plus.
“When Sean saw that the building was for sale, he knew it was right,” Kehoe said. “His first job was there, so it made a lot of sense that this will be our location.”
