Chamber of Commerce Head Reveals Largest Single Loss Yet Over HB2: 1000 Jobs Expansion Nixed

Tech Company Expansion Would Have Added Up to 1000 Jobs to Raleigh, North Carolina Area

The head of the Greater Raleigh of Chamber of Commerce is calling for the repeal of North Carolina‘s anti-LGBT law, HB2, and revealed Tuesday that a technology company that had been planning a 1000 job expansion into the area has now canceled its plans as a direct result of HB2. 

“In Wake County, we have lost 250 committed jobs from Deutsche Bank, as well as a technology company that was considering the creation of up to 1,000 jobs in our region. Several other companies have eliminated us from consideration, explicitly citing this bill. Our Convention and Visitors Bureau is reporting over $3.2 million in lost revenues, and much more is at risk,” Greater Raleigh of Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tim Giuliani said in a statement reported by WRAL. He did not name the tech company.

“The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce opposes HB2 and calls for its immediate repeal,” Giuliani, whose group includes more than 2300 member companies, says in his statement.

He calls HB2 “bad for business and bad for North Carolina” and offers to “work with Gov. Pat McCrory, legislators, and other elected leaders to find a solution that is in the best interest of our region and state while strengthening our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality.”

Giuliani several times mentions the importance of “diversity,” and “inclusion and equality,” for “attracting and retaining top talent” and for “growth and success.”

The Center for American Progress one week ago put the economic loss to North Carolina from HB2 at well over a half-billion dollars.

On Tuesday, a federal appeals court with jurisdiction over North Carolina ruled in Title IX cases discrimination against transgender people can constitute as sex discrimination, putting HB2 at risk of being illegal. 

EARLIER:

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