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Business Today

By wire services
Published May 14, 2005

JABIL RAISES CREDIT LINE: Jabil Circuit Inc. has taken out a five-year, $500-million revolving line of credit with a consortium of lenders that includes Citicorp USA, JPMorgan Chase Bank, the Royal Bank of Scotland, SunTrust Bank and ABN Amro Bank. The St. Petersburg-based manufacturer disclosed the credit line Friday in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission. It replaces the company's current, $400-million unsecured revolving credit line which was due to expire in 2006. The new line can be increased to a maximum of $750-million.

BRIGHT HOUSE HONORED: The St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce has named Bright House Networks the Outstanding Business of the Year for companies with more than 100 employees. Other winners of outstanding business awards announced this week and their categories include: Margaret Ann's Gourmet Cookies/Catering (Woman Owned/Operated Business); St. Anthony's Healthcare Foundation (Charitable Not For Profit); Peltz Famous Brand Shoes (26 to 100 employees); Advanced Learning Center (1 to 25 employees); and Brown Security & Law Group, P.A. (Rookie of the Year).

LAMY PREVAILS TO LEAD WTO: Pascal Lamy of France has won the race to lead the World Trade Organization and should be appointed later this month, the head of the selection panel said Friday. Kenyan Ambassador Amina C. Mohamed told delegations at the 148-member WTO that Lamy is the candidate most likely to attract consensus. Lamy's first major task will be to get an agreement on a new round of global trade talks in December to slash subsidies, tariffs and other barriers.

FLORIDA HOME SALES UP: Sales of existing single-family homes in Florida increased 7 percent in the first quarter of this year from the first three months of 2004, and the median sales price rose 27 percent to $207,000, according to the Florida Association of Realtors. In the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area, sales increased 16 percent and the median price went up 23 percent to $176,400.

MICROSOFT UNVEILS SHIELD SERVICE: Microsoft Corp. is rolling out a test version of an all-in-one subscription service that aims to protect computer users from viruses and spyware and give them tools to make machines speedier. The company plans a full-scale test by year's end. It did not set dates for release or prices.

UNITED, UNIONS RACE CLOCK: United Airlines and unions representing its mechanics and baggage handlers tried to wrap up long-term contract agreements Friday as a bankruptcy court trial on the carrier's bid to terminate existing pacts moved closer to conclusion. The airline and unions are working against an unofficial deadline of early next week, before Judge Eugene Wedoff issues a ruling that could trigger a strike by United's workers if it authorizes the breaking of tentative contracts.

[Last modified May 14, 2005, 01:42:50]