Fort Worth-based RadioShack may be looking at packing its corporate bags for Florida, according to a published report.
The Tampa Bay Business Journal reported last week about rumors that the company may be seeking between 300,000 and 350,000 square feet of space for new corporate headquarters. The company is reportedly looking at Tampa Bay and several other cities.
RadioShack would not confirm or deny the rumors.
Daniel Short, a professor at Texas Christian University's Neeley School of Business, said companies typically begin to explore their options about 18 months out.
The company's current lease expires in 2011. An old housing project used to occupy the property where its 38-acre corporate campus sits in downtown Fort Worth.
Short said Fort Worth and the Chamber of Commerce are likely working to keep RadioShack in Cowtown.
"They were probably on this before it even started as a rumor," he said. "They certainly are trying to work closely with RadioShack to make sure that whatever issues RadioShack might have with Fort Worth get solved -- to be sure that if they need more space, they are aggressively helping them find space; if there are some business issues that have to be resolved, they're working hard so solve those."
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Short said the loss of RadioShack could be a blow to Fort Worth.
"RadioShack is important to this city for a tremendous number of reasons," he said. "Certainly 1,700 jobs would be one of those important reasons."
Short said the company is likely to remain quiet unless it settles on some serious options.
