CHARLOTTE, N.C. — PayPal just announced the company will no longer open a new global operations center in Charlotte due to the state passing House Bill 2.
Two weeks ago, PayPal announced plans to open the operation’s center in Charlotte and employ over 400 people in skilled jobs.
Since then, House Bill 2 was passed during a special session in Raleigh.
PayPal says, “The new law perpetuates discrimination and it violates the values and principles that are at the core of PayPal’s mission and culture. As a result, PayPal will not move forward with our planned expansion into Charlotte,” according to a news release from President and CEO Dan Schulman.
“Our decision is a clear and unambiguous one. But we do regret that we will not have the opportunity to be a part of the Charlotte community and to count as colleagues the skilled and talented people of the region. As a company that is committed to the principle that everyone deserves to live without fear of discrimination simply for being who they are, becoming an employer in North Carolina, where members of our teams will not have equal rights under the law, is simply untenable,” Schulman said.
The Charlotte Chamber released the following statement following PayPal’s announcement:
“Economic repercussions are threatened and real. As evidenced by today’s announcement by PayPal to withdrawal plans to expand in Charlotte, we encourage all our leaders at the city and state levels to contribute toward a solution that is in the best interest of our city and state.”
