Disney Cancels $1 Billion Florida Plan Amid Ron DeSantis Feud
Disney and Ron DeSantis's feud over in Florida continues, and it looks like it will cost the state thousands of potential jobs and potential millions in tax revenue.
This is because the entertainment giant has scrapped plans to build a $1 billion office complex in Florida and said that "changing business conditions" made them cancel their plans. CNN pointed out that this seems to be an escalation of the company's feud with DeSantis and his Don't Say Gay Law and other "anti-woke" policies.
However, as the writer's strike is going on, other factors may be in play as multiple media companies, not just Disney, are experiencing financial difficulties, as well as having a more difficult advertising environment. The entertainment giant is even planning to cut 7,000 jobs as part of a cost-cutting effort.
The campus was originally planned to be built in Lake Nona, Florida, which is part of the greater Orlando Area and near Disney World. It was supposed to add 2,000 jobs to Florida, as these jobs have been relocated from California.
Ron DeSantis's Office Says Cancellation Is Unsurprising
The office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reacted to the news of the cancellation, calling it "unsurprising." A spokesperson for the governor added that "the company's financial straits, falling market cap, and declining stock price" may be among the reasons for the plan's cancellation, according to the BBC.
The mayor of Orange County, where the campus was supposed to be built, Jerry L. Demings, stated that the cancellation was unfortunate and blamed the lack of an "inclusive and collaborative work environment between the state of Florida and the business community." However, he vowed that he and his office will "continue to work closely with our valued partners at Disney."
READ MORE: North Carolina Is Luring Disney World to Abandon Florida
The project was supposedly valued at $867 million, and those who worked in those jobs would have averaged around $120,000 in annual income. The jobs that were reportedly coming in from Disney were supposed to be higher paid, white collar, and tech-focused positions.
However, while Disney is experiencing a bit of a financial problem with the ongoing writers' strike, Florida's largest employer has been feuding with the state's governor for quite some time now, and the feud has escalated with DeSantis's attempted takeover of the Reedy Creek Improvement District and Disney pulling more investments from the state.
Disney Continues to Defy Ron DeSantis
Meanwhile, as DeSantis continues his war against woke, Disney is celebrating it as Disney World will be hosting the world's "largest LGBTQ+" conference called the annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit in September and then once again in 2024.
According to Fox 29, the event is expected to have over 5,000 attendees, including executives and HR and DEI professionals and experts from the world's largest companies. It will not just be sponsored by Disney but also by other LGBTQ+-friendly corporations like Apple, Walmart, Amazon, McDonald's, Uber, Hilton, Boeing, Pfizer, and Google.
Many see Disney World hosting such an event in Florida to be in open defiance of DeSantis's "War on Woke" policies.
READ MORE: Disney Sues Ron DeSantis
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Disney cancels plans for new Florida campus amid DeSantis feud - NBC News