TAMPA , Florida ( CNN ) -- Ron Russell was a machinist at the Hav-A-Tampa cigar factory in Tampa for 3½ years . Ron Russell has started a Web site to help find work for his fellow laid-off cigar factory workers . When he was hired , Russell remembers thinking , `` There 's no reason I have to look for a job again . ... I was thinking , here 's a place I can retire from . I thought I was safe in a 100-year-old company . '' But Russell and his colleagues -- almost 500 workers -- recently lost their jobs when Hav-A-Tampa shut its doors in Florida to consolidate operations in Puerto Rico . The plant had been operating since 1902 . After the plant closure , Russell did n't start pounding the pavement looking for another job for himself . Instead , he did something very different -- he decided to contact local businesses to see if they would hire his laid off colleagues . After a few calls , he realized it would be easier to centralize the employee information in one location , ideally a Web site . But that would cost money . So he asked each colleague for a dollar . `` I collected $ 30 out of the folks at work , '' Russell said . `` Some could give , some could n't . '' Soon , havatampaneedsjobs.com was born . On it are the names , contact information and skills of former Hav-A-Tampa employees who want to be listed . It 's one-stop shopping , Russell said , for companies looking for workers . To use the site , laid-off employees can become a member by going to the site 's home page , where they can list their employment and contact information . Potential employers can search the database by clicking on job titles such as engineer , electrician and general labor . Among those who donated and joined the site is Harvey Morris , a mechanical engineer with 23 years of experience . Morris said he was skeptical at first . `` But I also knew Ron . I knew that he was very determined , '' Morris said . When asked what type of workers an employer would find on the site , Morris said , `` Simply put , quality people , just quality people . '' Since becoming the unofficial job placement advocate for his former colleagues , Russell said he has guarantees for 30 jobs , mostly for unskilled laborers who were laid off . Russell is overjoyed at the generosity of those businesses . His sales pitch : `` I told them if you could take one person you are a hero to 500 . '' `` I am kinda flying by the seat of my pants because I never done nothing like this before , '' Russell said . Watch Russell talk about his efforts to find work for his former colleagues » . At one time , there were some 200 cigar factories in Tampa . It 's down to one now , the J.C. Newman Company . Hav-A-Tampa officials said a new federal tax dramatically increased the price of their cigars and reduced consumption . `` It 's an absolute tragedy . Totally preventable tragedy , '' said syndicated radio talk show host Dave Zeplowitz , known as `` Cigar Dave . '' `` There 's no other product that is taxed at 53 percent in this nation . `` This is a company that 's given people tremendous livelihoods , and that 's all gone , '' Zeplowitz said . `` Every piece of history in this city , every building is intertwined with cigars . '' The new tax was levied to help fund a federal health insurance program for children from low-income families . Ironically , Russell said , his child qualifies now for the insurance , at least until he finds work . Russell does n't blame his former employer for losing his job . `` I was unhappy about being taxed out of a job , because that 's what happened , '' he said . Russell has put his own plans on hold while he helps his fellow workers . The father of one said he eventually plans to open his own machine shop . But he 's not worried about the risk . `` I 'm not going to be safe in a 100-year-old company , might as well try to not be safe in my own . '' `` No . 1 will get his turn when it 's time , '' Russell said . But now 's the time , he said , to find work for the others .
Cigar factory closes its doors after 100 years in Tampa , Florida , leaving 500 jobless . Laid-off worker starts Web site listing former colleagues ' names and skills . Prospective employers can search the site by job titles such as engineer , electrician . So far , there are guarantees for 30 jobs , mostly for unskilled labor .