Economic Incentives

Were Chiquita's Bananas Good For Charlotte?

Julie Rose — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:29:27 +0000

Chiquita will hold its annual shareholders meeting in Charlotte for the first time Thursday. It's a sign the company's relocation from Cincinnati is complete – and it's an opportunity to take a look at what Charlotte taxpayers got for the generous tax incentives they gave Chiquita.

Panthers Get Special Access To Closed Council Meetings

Julie Rose — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Most of the Charlotte City Council's debate and deliberations about spending tax dollars on a renovation of Panthers' Stadium happened behind closed doors. That's pretty common when a city is hashing out economic incentives. But this case stands out because the Panthers were given unprecedented access to the council's process.

Incentives That Landed Iron Man 3 Production Under Legislative Review

Tasnim Shamma — Sat, 04 May 2013 00:27:37 +0000

Iron Man 3 – one of the most expensive films to ever come out of North Carolina – hit theaters Friday. It received $20 million in state incentives and lawmakers are now debating a bill that would remove the state's film tax credit – the same credit that brought the Iron Man 3 production to the state.

Outlet Mall Developers Seek Tax Incentives

Julie Rose — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 21:43:04 +0000

Developers of a proposed outlet mall in southwest Charlotte want the city and county to pitch in up to $6 million for streets and utilities. The request goes before the city council Monday night and will be in the Mecklenburg County Commission's hands Tuesday. WFAE's Julie Rose explains:

The city and county are increasingly being hit up by developers for what's called a "tax increment grant."

Charlotte Aims To Do Business With Local Startups

Julie Rose — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 06:47:43 +0000

Charlotte has a reputation for fostering big business. Monday night the city council will vote on a plan to encourage the little guys - what it calls "High Growth Entrepreneurs."

Any small business with the potential to grow quickly fits the category – it could be a hot local restaurant starting to franchise, or a start-up with technology borne of a program at UNC Charlotte.

New Top Banana Meets Chiquita Employees - And Charlotte

Julie Rose — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:22:58 +0000

The new CEO charged with restoring Chiquita's profits is on the job now and busy introducing himself to the company's 20,000 employees.

Just before speaking with WFAE, he met with an auditorium full of Chiquita employees clad in blue and yellow shirts. Lonergan was impressed.

"That's a really interesting thing for me, because I came here because I have passion for the legacy of this brand and the future potential that it has," says Lonergan. "I also came here because every person I met wears that passion on their sleeve, literally."