First, Mercedes-Benz chose Atlanta over the Triangle for its corporate headquarters. Next, Chiquita, less than four years after a splashy move to Charlotte from Cincinnati, disclosed plans to leave within 12 to 18 months, taking 320 jobs out of the city.

With those high-profile relocations setting the scene, expect to hear plenty of discussion in the N.C. General Assembly this winter and spring about incentives and how they are awarded. Gov. Pat McCrory said this month he lacks the tools to recruit…