Disney cancels plan for Florida campus amid ongoing feud with GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis

The company announced the decision Thursday in a letter to employees citied "changing business conditions."

Published: May 19, 2023 9:55am

 Disney has scrapped plans to open a new employee campus in Florida, amid an ongoing political feud with GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The company in announcing the decision Thursday to employees citied "changing business conditions" and the return of CEO Bob Iger, according to CNBC.

The company was going to build a campus in Lake Nova, Florida, and now says it will no longer be asking over 2,000 California-based employees to relocate to Florida.

 

Disney employees didn't not support the relocation plans when first announced in July 2021 by former CEO Bob Chapek, CNBC also reports.

The campus was supposed to open as soon as last year but was later delayed until 2026.

The political feud between Disney and DeSantis began with the governor Disney’s special district in Florida, formerly called the Reedy Creek Improvement District, after the company publicly criticized a bill in the state legislature – dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” by critics – that limits discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms.

The company in turn filed a lawsuit accusing DeSantis and the new board members of its special district of carrying out a campaign of political retribution.

The special district has allowed Disney to essentially self govern its Orlando parks’ operations for decades.

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