Chiquita considers leaving Cincinnati

CINCINNATI - One of the Tri-State's largest employers could be moving from Cincinnati.

Banana giant Chiquita's lease in Cincinnati runs through 2012, and the company says it's in talks with locations outside of Cincinnati for a possible move of its corporate headquarters.

Chiquita says it is also in talks with the city and Ohio to stay at its current location, but no final decision has been made.

"We extended our lease in Cincinnati through 2012 to give us more flexibility through this process," said Ed Loyd, Chiquita spokesman.

The Charlotte Observer reports that Chiquita is considering moving to North Carolina. The paper says the Charlotte City Council approved $1 million in relocation incentives. The Charlotte Observer also reports that Mecklenburg County would give $1 million, and North Carolina would pay $2 million.

"We are discussing options in Cincinnati and Ohio, as well as other locations, including Charlotte," said Loyd

The Ohio Department of Development says it is in negotiations to keep Chiquita in Ohio.

Chiquita employs about 400 people in Cincinnati with an average salary of $100,000 according to the Charlotte Observer.

The following is a the entire statement from Chiquita:

"We have been in a process of evaluating where to have our long term headquarters for some time. Earlier this year, we extended our lease in Cincinnati through 2012 to give us more flexibility through this process. We are discussing options with officials in Cincinnati and Ohio, as well as other locations, including Charlotte. We have not made any decision at this point but are focused on determining the best possible long-term location that best positions our business and employees for growth."

- Ed Loyd, Chiquita Spokesman