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While the company plant was not within the city limits, the shifting of most of the jobs to Mexico means a loss of jobs near Oldsmar.
By MEGAN SCOTT
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 30, 2003
OLDSMAR -- When city officials heard the news Wednesday that Jabil Circuit was shutting down a facility in Oldsmar that repairs computers, they scratched their heads.
"I didn't know they were here in the city," said Jerry Custin, business assistance specialist for the Oldsmar/Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce. "I have the city occupational list in front of me, and I don't see Jabil Circuit on the list."
Mayor Jerry Beverland, a 30-year resident of Oldsmar, also was stumped.
"I wonder how many of those people lived in Oldsmar," he said when he heard that 200 people would be put out of work. "I commiserate with them."
Oldsmar officials have reason to be puzzled.
Jabil Global Services' employees refer to their place of business as the Oldsmar plant because of its proximity to the city. But it's not really in Oldsmar. It's in Hillsborough County at the intersection of Race Track and McCormick Roads.
Jabil plans to close Jabil Global Services, which does repair work for Dell and other computer manufacturers, within 90 to 180 days and move most of the work to Reynosa, Mexico, said Jabil spokeswoman Lisa Allison. Some of the other work will be transferred to St. Petersburg and Louisville. The company is also cutting 120 jobs at its plant on Dr. M.L. King (Ninth) Street in St. Petersburg.
Allison said the "Oldsmar" plant has been at its Tri-County Business Park location since the company purchased EFTC Corp.'s service and repair business, EFTC Services Inc., in 1999. She declined to say whether Jabil owns the building.
webfeedthe employees, many of whom probably earn more than entry-level wages.
He also said attracting another company should not be a problem.
"We have folks coming in here looking for property all the time," said Custin. "I think the opportunity to get a replacement will probably be pretty good."
-- Megan Scott can be reached at (727) 445-4183 or mscott@sptimes.co .