North Carolina economic development panel approves US$22M incentives deal to bring global headquarters of Chiquita Brands International from Cincinnati to Charlotte

Nevin Barich

RALEIGH, North Carolina , November 29, 2011 (Associated Press) – A North Carolina economic development panel has approved a $22 million incentives deal to bring the global headquarters of banana giant Chiquita Brands International from Cincinnati to Charlotte.

The state Economic Investment Committee voted Tuesday to approve the deal, which includes more than $20 million in state incentives and more than $2 million from local government.

The panel says the move of Chiquita's headquarters, along with research and development laboratories, will bring about 375 jobs to the state by 2014. The jobs are supposed to pay an average of about $107,000.

Committee members say the incentives were needed to give Charlotte an edge over Ohio, Florida and Louisiana.

Messages were left with the company in Cincinnati. A formal announcement was expected later Tuesday in Charlotte.

© 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.