CINCINNATI - The Chiquita company is considering moving it's corporate offices to Charolette, N.C., and that could mean the loss of hundreds of jobs.
"It would be a real blow. For a lot of people in our city, they are a major cooperate partner. There are a lot of ancillary jobs created because they're here, including lawyers and accountants and other support services. So it would be devastating to lose any one of those Fortune 500 companies," said Chris Bortz, Cincinnati City Councilman.
Both city council and county commissioners are involved with negotiations to keep Chiquita in Ohio, reported ONN's Lot Tan.
Bortz said that the city presented the company with "very attractive and lucrative incentives" to stay. News reports out of Charlotte indicate the region is considering a $4 million incentive package.
"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," said Ed Loyd, Chiquita spokesman.
Chiquita has been critical about the decline in international flights out of the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport.
"We still have a quality airport, but it is not what it once was. The merger between Northwest and Delta resulted in us losing a lot of those international flights. It's one of the most important issues we need to deal with as a region," said Greg Hartmann, Hamilton County Commissioner.
Local business owners are also fearful about Chiquita leaving and what it would mean for the community.
"It would hurt our business 30 percent. It's like a domino effect, if they close they hurt my business and I have to lay off couple of people from my restaurant," said Jose Frias, a local restaurant owner.
In April, Chiquita signed a 16-month lease extension for its headquarters in hopes of having more time to either reach an agreement with the state of Ohio or relocate to another state.
Cincinnati officials expect Chiquita executives to make a decision within a couple of weeks.
"It would be a real blow. For a lot of people in our city, they are a major cooperate partner. There are a lot of ancillary jobs created because they're here, including lawyers and accountants and other support services. So it would be devastating to lose any one of those Fortune 500 companies," said Chris Bortz, Cincinnati City Councilman.
Both city council and county commissioners are involved with negotiations to keep Chiquita in Ohio, reported ONN's Lot Tan.
Bortz said that the city presented the company with "very attractive and lucrative incentives" to stay. News reports out of Charlotte indicate the region is considering a $4 million incentive package.
"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," said Ed Loyd, Chiquita spokesman.
Chiquita has been critical about the decline in international flights out of the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport.
"We still have a quality airport, but it is not what it once was. The merger between Northwest and Delta resulted in us losing a lot of those international flights. It's one of the most important issues we need to deal with as a region," said Greg Hartmann, Hamilton County Commissioner.
Local business owners are also fearful about Chiquita leaving and what it would mean for the community.
"It would hurt our business 30 percent. It's like a domino effect, if they close they hurt my business and I have to lay off couple of people from my restaurant," said Jose Frias, a local restaurant owner.
In April, Chiquita signed a 16-month lease extension for its headquarters in hopes of having more time to either reach an agreement with the state of Ohio or relocate to another state.
Cincinnati officials expect Chiquita executives to make a decision within a couple of weeks.
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