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Disney Cancels Florida Campus in Lake Nona
Walt Disney Company has canceled plans to build a new campus in Lake Nona, Florida. The company cited “new leadership and changing business conditions” as the reason for the decision.
The campus, which was announced in 2021, was set to host employees from Disney’s Parks, Experiences and Products division. It would have been located in the Lake Nona Medical City, a growing biomedical research hub in Orlando.
Disney had planned to invest $1 billion in the campus and create 2,000 jobs. The company had also received $500 million in tax breaks from the state of Florida.
The decision to cancel the campus comes amid a feud between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. DeSantis has been critical of Disney’s opposition to a new law in Florida that bans the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.
In response, DeSantis has revoked Disney’s special tax district, which gave the company self-governing authority over its theme parks. Disney has said it will challenge the decision in court.
The cancellation of the Lake Nona campus is a major setback for Disney. It is the company’s first major investment in Florida in years. The decision is also a blow to Lake Nona, which had been counting on the campus to bring jobs and economic development to the area.
It is unclear what impact the cancellation of the campus will have on Disney’s relationship with Florida. The company has said it remains committed to its operations in the state. However, the feud between Disney and DeSantis is likely to continue.
Here is some more information about the cancellation of the Disney campus in Lake Nona:
- The campus was to be located on 60 acres of land in the Lake Nona Medical City.
- The campus was to house employees from Disney’s Parks, Experiences and Products division.
- The campus was to create 2,000 jobs.
- Disney had received $500 million in tax breaks from the state of Florida for the campus.
- The decision to cancel the campus comes amid a feud between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
- DeSantis has been critical of Disney’s opposition to a new law in Florida that bans the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.
- In response, DeSantis has revoked Disney’s special tax district, which gave the company self-governing authority over its theme parks. Disney has said it will challenge the decision in court.
- The cancellation of the Lake Nona campus is a major setback for Disney. It is the company’s first major investment in Florida in years. The decision is also a blow to Lake Nona, which had been counting on the campus to bring jobs and economic development to the area.
- It is unclear what impact the cancellation of the campus will have on Disney’s relationship with Florida. The company has said it remains committed to its operations in the state. However, the feud between Disney and DeSantis is likely to continue.
