Company Leaves County For Ocala

Hernando County is losing one of its industries.

It could cost the county up to 165 jobs.

Duratek Precast Technologies decided a few years ago to move its headquarters to the Airport Industrial Park. It established a home in Brooksville with the intention of building a new plant next door.

After the sharp decline of the area's housing market and its comparative distance from Interstate 75, the company's owner changed his mind and opted to relocate and expand 65 miles north, said Hernando County Office of Business Development Director Mike McHugh.

"The housing downturn gave them some pause about expanding here," he admitted. "The owner lives in Ocala ... He thought it would be better to build right off the interstate."

Duratek's owner, Barry Stem, declined to comment Thursday.

The company's home office is currently located at 2180 American Flyer Way. It hopes to move into its newly constructed building in northwestern Ocala by January 2010.

Duratek owes the county between $3,000 and $5,000 in impact and building permit fees, McHugh said.

The company specializes in precast wall systems that are designed to withstand hurricane-force winds. It owns an indoor precast facility in Bristow and intends to expand its plant at that location.

Duratek also will build a new plant in Ocala for its expanding concrete housing market.

Currently, the corporate office in Brooksville employs about 17 people, McHugh said. Including plant workers in Bristow and installation crews across Florida, Duratek has more than 100 employees.