Disney cancels $1 billion expansion in Florida

Disney has canceled a billion-dollar plan to expand its operations in Orlando, Florida, amid its escalating war with Governor Ron DeSantis.

Bob Iger, CEO of Disney announced the move to the media on Thursday. Last week, during an earnings call with analysts, the executive wondered: “Does the state want us to invest more, employ more people and pay more taxes, or not?”

The 10-figure office complex near Walt Disney World would have generated more than 2,000 jobs in the region, according to an estimate by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Disney previously planned the construction of the Lake Nona Town Center for more than 1,000 employees to relocate from its Southern California offices. The employees were primarily from his prestigious Imagineering team, which works to develop theme park attractions.

When Disney’s Josh D’Amaro, president of theme park and consumer products, announced the plan to move east in 2021, he cited “Florida’s favorable business climate.”

While some employees went so far as to quit before the proposed move, around 200 Disney employees had already moved to Florida from California.

Disney’s latest move demonstrates just how far the company is willing to go in its battle against DeSantis and his anti-LGBTQ agenda.

In March, the company sued DeSantis for trying to reduce Disney World’s autonomy, calling it “a targeted campaign of government retaliation.”