Fresh produce giant Chiquita Brands International appears to be in the middle of a state-versus-state battle for the right to host its headquarters (HQ), according to widespread reports in the US.
The group appears to be seeking possible alternatives to its current location of Cincinnati in Ohio, searching under the codename 'Project Opus', with Charlotte in North Carolina and Palm Beach County in Florida both explored as possibilities.
On Monday (13 September), bizjournals.com revealed that Chiquita was looking to Charlotte for a corporate relocation, and had toured properties in the Ballantyne and uptown areas in search of some 150,000ft2 of office space.
The report suggested that a proposal worth some US$5m-6m had been presented to Chiquita in an attempt to lure the group, which included provisions requiring the company to create a certain number of jobs.
Meanwhile, The Palm Beach Post also reported that Chiquita had considered moving its HQ to Palm Beach Country, but noted that Boca mayor Susan Whelchel had suggested the group wanted more in incentives – some US$15m – than the region was willing to offer.
'When we weren't able to meet their incentive requirements, they said adios,' she told the publication. 'But we'd be happy to hear from them again.'
Despite the apparent relocation search, officials in Cincinnati have vowed to fight to keep Chiquita, with Cincinnati.com revealing that a local offer for renewal was 'already in the hands' of group executives.
Chiquita has expressed concerns with falling nonstop and international flight numbers from Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport, given the fact that suppliers and farmers are located in Latin America and along the west coast and growth markets stretch to Europe and Asia, while the group is also reportedly struggling to recruit essential bilingual employees in the area.
'Cincinnati airport continues to be a significant source of concern for us, as it is for many businesses in the region,' spokesperson Ed Lloyd told the business Courier recently. 'As you know, Delta has not been increasing its flights from Cincinnati this summer, nor have they indicated that they will.'
However, there remains a strong possibility that the group will remain in Ohio, something that CEO Fernando Aguirre alluded to in a recent interview with the same publication.
And Lloyd confirmed that discussions were ongoing with the state, as well as with other areas.
'We are indeed continuing our process and have had discussions with the state of Ohio, and other locations, to determine the best-possible long term location that best positions our business and employees for growth,' Lloyd noted.
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