PayPal withdraws plan for Charlotte expansion over discrimination law

ajc.com


PayPal announced plans two weeks ago to open a new global operations center in Charlotte, which would have brought more than 400 skilled jobs to the area. The company announced Tuesday it would be withdrawing those plans in lieu of the state’s recent passing of controversial legislation that many say is discriminatory.

According to PayPal President and CEO Dan Schulman, "The legislation invalidates protections of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens and denies these members of our community equal rights under the law."

Schulman went on to say that the new law perpetuates discrimination and 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."

Schulman pointed out that he "regrets that PayPal 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."

The company will seek an alternative location for its operations center.

Equality NC, a statewide organization that works to secure equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender North Carolinians, released the following statement:

“PayPal’s announcement that it’s taking 400 jobs out of Charlotte makes it clear as day that HB2 is dangerous and harmful legislation. Governor McCrory and Senator Berger are willfully hurting North Carolina with HB2. The Governor and our North Carolina General Assembly leadership must immediately make it clear that their intentions are to repeal HB2 when they will meet for session on April 25. This is a must if we are to remain an economically competitive state.”

WSOC-TV is reaching out to North Carolina Gov. McCrory for his response to the announcement. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.