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Software center to open in Tampa

CIBER Inc. will offer a "made-in-America" option for software development and plans to hire 200 workers.

By JEFF HARRINGTON
Published June 4, 2005

Denver-based outsourcing firm CIBER Inc. plans to hire at least 200 area tech workers for a new software development center in Tampa.

The so-called CIBERsite, the second of several planned around the country, will offer a "made-in-America" option to businesses that turn to India or other offshore sites for cheap labor in creating computer applications.

"We felt there was a gap in the marketplace," said Mike Murphy, vice president of the CIBERsites division. "We thought if we could come up with a domestic alternative that was somewhat price-competitive, that would give our customers something to look at."

Businesses pay in the low $20s per hour for software development compared to U.S. rates that start in the upper $30s.

But Murphy said overseas work carries hidden costs involving communication and quality control that can make it comparable to U.S costs.

"We have a $39 "made-in-America' solution," he added. "That's pretty attractive."

The first CIBERsite opened in Oklahoma City in January. By mid 2006, CIBER plans to open several sites nationwide, creating up to 1,000 jobs. The company turned to Tampa, where it has a 60-employee consulting and support operation, because of the availability of tech workers.

Given the area talent pool, the Tampa office is expected to grow beyond 200 and could well become the largest CIBERsite, Murphy said.

"It's a pretty cool project," said Gene Gray, Hillsborough County economic development director. "CIBER's decision to place this project in Hillsborough County, I think, speaks well of the county and what we have to offer technology and software development companies."

State and Hillsborough County officials have approved CIBER for a tax-incentive package worth $630,000.

In return, the company has pledged that the 200 jobs it creates will pay at least 115 percent of the average state wage of $36,500.

Salaries will range from the low $30,000s to the low $80,000s, Murphy said.

CIBER has begun hiring workers for the center and intends to ramp up to 200 by year's end.

CIBER chief executive Mac Slingerland will be in town Thursday for a formal opening of the 30,000-square-foot office at Westlake Corporate Center.

Slingerland will be joined by Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce chairman Sam Ellison and Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan.

With annual revenues of $975-million, CIBER has 8,000 employees working in 17 countries, including 60 U.S. offices. It even has a small operation in the software offshore haven of India.

--Jeff Harrington can be reached at harrington@sptimes.com or 813 226-3407.

[Last modified June 4, 2005, 06:14:28]