North Carolina Democratic Party

(Governor Perdue and Chiquita CEO Fernando Aguirre)

As North Carolina Republicans spent yet another day playing politics on the taxpayers' dime, Governor Perdue kept her focus on what matters to the people of North Carolina--creating jobs and recruiting new industry to our state. 

Yesterday, Governor Perdue announced that world renowned produce supplier Chiquita Brands International Inc., will relocate its global corporate headquarters to Charlotte. Chiquita expects to create more than 400 jobs over the next three years and invest $14.1 million in the new global headquarters in Mecklenburg County.  The announcement was made possible in part by a state Job Development Investment Grant and a One North Carolina Fund award.

“Chiquita looked across America for a place to locate its global headquarters and they chose Charlotte, North Carolina,” said Gov. Perdue.  “Once again this state’s tremendous workforce, top business climate and accessible infrastructure attracted an internationally competitive company.”

Chiquita is a leading international marketer and distributor of fresh produce, which is sold under the Chiquita and Fresh Express brands.  The company is committed to improving world nutrition, as a leading international marketer and distributor of nutritious, high-quality fresh and value-added food products – from energy-rich bananas, blends of convenient green salads, other fruits to healthy snacking products. Chiquita employs more than 21,000 people and has operations in nearly 70 countries worldwide. 

“Charlotte provided the most compelling economic offer and the region is an attractive community for our employees,” said Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer. “Importantly, the Charlotte airport provides improved access to international markets, customers and Chiquita operations around the world.” 

Here are a few of news clips from yesterday's announcement:

CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Chiquita relocating headquarters to Charlotte -- Chiquita Brands International, an iconic company almost synonymous with bananas, said Tuesday that it will move its global headquarters to Charlotte next year, bringing some 400 jobs. The company was lured by more than $22 million in state and local government incentives and the promise of easier international travel from Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, which has grown as the airport near Chiquita's current headquarters in Cincinnati has shrunk. Chiquita, which had $3.2 billion in sales last year, is negotiating to lease five or six floors in the NASCAR Plaza office tower adjoining the racing league's Hall of Fame. Read more>

WFAE-FM: Banana Giant Coming To Charlotte -- Chiquita Brands International is poised to relocate its world headquarters to Charlotte. A North Carolina economic development panel voted Tuesday to approve a $22 million incentives deal to lure the banana company’s headquarters from Cincinnati. The move is expected to bring at least 375 jobs to Charlotte by 2014. Chiquita Brands has not officially confirmed the decision. But Governor Bev Perdue and local officials are scheduled to make what’s billed as a “jobs announcement” Tuesday afternoon at the Charlotte Chamber. North Carolina competed with Ohio, Florida and Louisiana for the Chiquita relocation. Read more>

Here is video coverage yesterday's announcement:

WSOC: http://www.wsoctv.com/video/29883285/index.html

WCPO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TjaUMv-pJU

WLWT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqYSpOPew5k

NEWS 14: http://goo.gl/b5eR7

(Governor Perdue and Chiquita CEO Fernando Aguirre)