Trucking company shuts down, lays off 222 in Tampa, Jacksonville

An Illinois trucking company laid off 222 employees in Tampa and Jacksonville last month after it was forced to cease operations by a creditor.

Midwest Transport Inc. announced the closing and the layoffs in a letter to state officials, writing that the job cuts come after it shut down its Tampa terminal at 4710 E. Seventh Ave. and its Jacksonville terminal at 3370 Old Kings Road.

It also closed three other terminals nationwide and its corporate office in Illinois. In all, 504 employees were terminated.