CHARLOTTE, NC - Now that the acquisition by Cutrale/Safra is completed, Chiquita has announced the closure of its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Charlotte Business Journal reports that recently named interim Chiquita CEO, Brian Kocher, told employees through a letter this morning that these changes are part of the transition to a privately held company.

“We wish to inform you to changes at the company that will result from our transition towards a more simplified and streamlined business model appropriate for the competitive markets we serve, and from a publicly listed company to a private enterprise,” Kocher stated in the letter. “The story of Chiquita’s relocation to Charlotte is a good one.”

Several key members of the Charlotte community have mirrored this sentiment. The Charlotte Observer reports that Charlotte Mayor Dan Clodfelter thanked Chiquita in a statement for its “contributions to the community during their time in Charlotte.”

Charlotte Chamber President Bob Morgan also spoke positively about Chiquita’s time in Charlotte saying, “We wish the very best to the company in its next chapter and to all the employees and their families.”

Chiquita was promised about $22 million worth of state and local incentives to locate its headquarters in Charlotte in 2011 on the condition that the company would stay there for at least 10 years. Mayor Clodfelter says that the new Chiquita leadership will honor promises made for the city incentives, according to the business journal.

The timing of the office closing has not been disclosed as of yet. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow this story.

Chiquita