The Oettinger Davidoff Group, better known to cigar aficionados as simply, Davidoff, soon will relocate its U.S. headquarters to Pinellas County.
The Swiss company chose a 100,000-square-foot building in Pinellas Park instead of a bid from South Carolina and expects to bring 90 jobs to the Tampa Bay region with an average salary of about $56,000.
"The Tampa Bay area was quickly recognized as a possible location as a result of its long history and rich heritage in the cigar industry," Davidoff consultant Oscar Avallone says in a statement. Avallone coordinated the company's relocation from its current headquarters in Stamford, Conn.
Davidoff is accepting resumes from people interested in applying for one of the jobs at its new distribution warehouse through an email address: [email protected].
The company is expected to begin its Pinellas Park operation this year, perhaps as soon as six months. Cigars will be imported from Davidoff's manufacturing facilities in the Dominican Republic and Honduras, then distributed nationwide from the Tampa Bay region.
Through Florida's Qualified Target Industry program, Davidoff is eligible for $288,000 in tax refunds from the state. The company will receive an additional $240,000 from the state through the Governor's Quick Action Closing Fund, as well as $20,000 from Pinellas County and up to $64,000 in tax and fee reductions from Pinellas Park.
The move was facilitated through a group effort by the Pinellas County Economic Development department, Enterprise Florida, the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, the city of Pinellas Park and WorkNet Pinellas.
Writer: Carter Gaddis
Source: Stacey Swank, Pinellas County Economic Development
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