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Jabil Circuit Confirms It Might Move From St. Pete

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By RICHARD MULLINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 24, 2008

The global electronics maker Jabil Circuit Inc. confirmed that it is considering moving its headquarters and manufacturing operations out of St. Petersburg, potentially a major blow to the city's economy.

The St. Petersburg-based company hasn't made any final decisions, and the company could end up adding employees in the area, depending in part on the level of incentives it receives from local governments.

"As part of our strategic planning, we're looking into the possibility of new, permanent manufacturing and corporate headquarters," Jabil spokeswoman Beth Walters said. "We're exploring several different options. … As part of that, public support is something we're considering in the decision."

St. Petersburg has offered the company several million dollars in economic development incentives to stay in the region, she said.

Jabil employs about 2,000 people in the area. A few hundred work at a high-tech manufacturing site making electronics for the military and aerospace clients; the remainder work in the administrative and headquarters operation.

The company has 75,000 workers worldwide.

Reporter Richard Mullins can be reached at (813) 259-7919 or rmullins@tampatrib.com.

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