The Disney giant, in the midst of a political battle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, announced Thursday that it will not build a $900 million campus to house employees near its theme park, AFP reported.

The group, which has recently made significant cost cuts, cites economic reasons as the main reason.

“Given the significant changes that have occurred since the announcement of this project, including new leadership and a changing economic environment, we have decided not to proceed with construction of the campus,” wrote Josh D’Amaro, the group’s head of theme parks. – note addressed to workers consulted by AFP.

But this decision was made against the background of strong tension with the local authorities.

Ron DeSantis, a rising star of the American hard right, ended the company’s special status in his state in February.

Disney responded with a lawsuit, calling it “targeted retaliation” against the group for condemning a 2022 bill that would restrict the teaching of topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida elementary schools.

In July 2021, the company announced its intention to ask employees to move to a new campus in Florida, the cost of which, according to media reports, was estimated at the time at $864 million.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but I think it’s the right one,” Josh D’Amaro said in a Thursday comment.