Used oil recycling company, NexLube Tampa is expected to bring hundreds of jobs

TAMPA - On Wednesday, the Tampa Port Authority signed a long-term lease agreement with NexLube Tampa, a used oil recycling company.  The business is expected to bring hundreds of jobs to the Tampa Bay area. 

Port Director Richard Wainio said the Port of Tampa is the only port in the state that can accommodate the business.  "What makes us really unique is that we have a lot of land, so we're able to sit down with companies like this who need land and build a manufacturing facility and create the economic value."

The facility will be built on 12 acres at Pendola Point and is expected to process up to 24 million gallons of used oil per year.

Enzio D'Angelo with NexLube Tampa said, "We will produce final lubricant. Lubricant that we can use for your car again.  And as a byproduct, we're going to produce gas, oil and asphalt."

NexLube is expected to bring in $10 million in revenue to the Port Authority and create jobs.  "Hundreds of people (will be hired) during the construction phase.  And once the facility is up and running on a full-time basis, they tell us that they'll need 75 permanent employees," said Wainio.

D'Angelo said they will be hiring for "general processing engineer, chemical engineer, mechanical supervision, electrical supervision, logistics."

Wainio tells us the average salary is around $60,000.  Port officials say the $80 million project is a good sign moving forward.

In the past couple months, they've heard from other companies also expressing interest in the region. He says these are companies that did not even consider moving business here during the tough economic times in the past.

Construction is expected to start in two weeks.  The facility should be up and running by the end of next year.