Irma R. Holloway and IRH Developments Continues To Bring Expertise That Is Helping to Build Southland Communities
Irma R. Holloway Developments has been at work for twelve years connecting people, businesses, and communities to more promising opportunities within the South Suburban region. Founder Irma Holloway has been busy consulting her clients while leading them to a brighter future.
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When asked about her business in a recent interview Holloway stated, “All is well.” She reported that she was able to conclude a financial recovery project for University Park. The project, which extended for about 2 years, helped the city achieve reconciliation with bank and TIF accounts.
IRH Developments was the auditing firm that analyzed the mismanagement of TIF funds for University Park, and found an additional $7 million that was missing or improperly spent. IRH conducted a forensic audit of various village funds to determine how much money was missing and where exactly did it go, According to Chicago Tribune’s article concerning the misappropriated TIF funds.
IRH was able to successfully conclude the financial audit. All of these efforts placed University Park in good financial standing and freed them from years of economic struggle. Holloway stated, “The community suffered so long and as a testament to our work we were able to help them move forward.”
Currently, Irma Holloway is the Diversity Consultant for the Orland Fire District. Her role is to ensure job inclusion, bring awareness to opportunities of employment within the fire district and assist in reaching minority candidates that are qualified to work in the community.
Holloway takes pride in helping prepare minorities to take full advantage of new and far-reaching opportunities.
Another extension of work Irma is actively involved with is the South Suburban Aurora Hospital Surgical Center. This $90 million project, has kept Holloway occupied with the task of ensuring minority contractors are being included in the development plans. IRH Developments has been meeting monthly for over a year to advocate for other businesses otherwise overlooked by major developers.
Being a Hazel Crest native, Holloway is currently busy with the design and construction of the new village hall. She helped the village seek out new local talent to help with the new development. Another local Hazel Crest company, Ujamaa Construction, was chosen to oversee the site’s construction.
All applicants who put in a bid were required to submit an application and come in for an interview. The selection process was conducted by Trustee Sandra Stanton, Trustee Marlon Rias, and Art Sykes, the Chairperson of the Financial Commission. All three decided on Ujamaa Construction after a closed-door vote. After a long history of outsourcing to outside business, the decision to have two local business entities operating in their own community is paramount.
Recently, IRH Developments conducted a walk through for Hazel Crest trustees. “They were actually surprised to see just how things were progressing”, Holloway stated. “The trustees got an idea of how the money is being spent and were actually able to physically see it being done,” she continued.
IRH is also making strides in regards to Hazel Crest’s economic development. IRH has brought in 25 new businesses into the area. They are currently working on identifying abandonment issues and “cleaning up the town.”
Irma Holloway’s approach to economic development is quite simple: She takes time to assess the community. She then derives a plan to restore the area back to its prime. “I look where they have come from and where they are now, and I can then identify what is needed,” Holloway said. She has recently brought in 2 new logistics companies to develop farmland that was not properly maintained. She has high hopes to attract hotels and restaurants to that area.
Irma Holloway pays homage to her father, who has been in the construction and development industry for 30 years. Her family specializes in drywall and painting. She passionately stated, “This work is in my DNA!”
Holloway looks to sharpen her skill set in the future. She is eager to continue her work in financial recovery as she did in University Park.
Even in her challenges, she has continued to keep a clear focus on creating newer opportunities for minorities to succeed within their own communities and beyond.
When asked what could people do to help her she found herself speechless. Holloway stated, “I am so used to being the helper. I am the fixer.”
Her slogan “Ask Irma!” speaks to her willingness to take on any task and turn it into a valuable and contributive relationship for all parties involved.
