Disney cancels $1 billion Florida campus project amid ongoing dispute with Governor DeSantis.
Disney announced on Thursday that it is abandoning its plans to build a corporate campus worth nearly $1 billion in central Florida. The campus would have accommodated 2,000 employees and served as a base for Walt Disney Imagineering and the Disney Parks division. The decision comes as Disney continues to clash with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
According to Disney parks chief Josh D’Amaro, changing business conditions led to the company reconsidering the relocation plan. The decision received mixed reactions from employees, with many expressing their unwillingness to move to Florida.
In a statement to employees, D’Amaro explained that the decision was difficult but necessary. Just a week ago, Disney CEO Bob Iger questioned Florida’s commitment to the company’s investment in the state. He raised concerns about the state’s stance on employment, taxation, and future growth plans.
The dispute between Disney and Governor DeSantis dates back to March 2022, when Disney criticized a Florida bill limiting discussions of gender identity and sexuality in elementary schools. In response, DeSantis took steps to strip Disney of its self-governing power over Walt Disney World, leading to a legal battle between the two parties.
Former President Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign seized on the news, highlighting the negative impact of DeSantis’s actions on job opportunities and investment in the state. Democratic State Sen. Linda Stewart expressed disappointment over the loss of jobs, while Republican former Congressman Carlos Curbelo praised DeSantis’s pandemic leadership but criticized his approach to governance.
Disney remains optimistic about its Walt Disney World business, with plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 jobs in the next decade. However, the cancellation of the Florida campus project raises questions about future developments and expansions in the state.
SOURCE: Images – pexel
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