Why did the banana leave Charlotte? Because it got a better deal in Brazil
The Story
Three years ago, the Queen City did a good dose of thumb-nosing for luring Chiquita from Cincinnati. On Wednesday, the Queen City became the shunned one: the banana/salads company is relocating its headquarters.
The Facts
– In 2011, Chiquita high-tailed it from Cincinnati and emblazoned its blue and yellow logo on the NASCAR Plaza office tower.
– It took about $22 million in some pretty controversial incentives from North Carolina and Charlotte to make that happen.
– Turns out, even as they were settling into their new CLT digs, Chiquita had started acquisition talks.
– Earlier this month, two Brazilian companies acquired Chiquita for $681 million. Unclear on where the new headquarters will be.
– Some 300 local employees will be affected.
The Quotes
Then: When Chiquita came in 2011, Twitter was popping with pride, especially from the account of the then-CEO Fernando Aguirre:
“@ANTMarketer: @FdoAguirreCEO have you seen this? BooneOakley welcomes Chiquita to Charlotte pic.twitter.com/TJhQAz5P” //Had not. Awesome Thx
— Fernando Aguirre (@FdoAguirreCEO) December 8, 2011
@FdoAguirreCEO the Duke Energy Center lit up to celebrate the announcement of Chiquita calling Charlotte home. http://t.co/or1Se97Z — Matthew Rowles (@mattrowles12) November 30, 2011
Now: Commentary isn’t so rah-rah. – “You can’t expect loyalty from any company if you’re paying them to move. Government was basically prostituting themselves to get them here. … Nobody falls in love with a prostitute.” – Meck Commissioner Bill James
#Chiquita to Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/81GJnM0hKE — Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 14, 2015
Charlotte reacts to news that Chiquita is leaving https://t.co/InqqGfxa6y via @cbjnewsroom — Charlotte Chamber (@cltchamber) January 14, 2015
C5’s Take
This one hurts for Charlotte. Let’s just hope Chiquita coughs up the incentives they’ve already accepted. I guess the Queen City is Team Dole, now.
Photos: John D. Simmons / Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published January 15, 2015 at 1:20 AM with the headline "Why did the banana leave Charlotte? Because it got a better deal in Brazil."