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If Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez had it his way, the Walt Disney World Resort would be located by the border.
Disney and the state of Florida appear to be at odds after Gov. Ron DeSantis has been accused of attempting to limit Disney World’s autonomy, according to an April 20 New York Times article.
Issues have ranged from wrangling over Disney’s governing board to whether the private company can inspect its own rides.
But many also believe the actions taken by DeSantis are in response to Disney’s disagreement with the legislation that prohibits discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, the Times has reported.
Cortez seized the opportunity Friday and wrote a letter to Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger asking him to consider relocating Disney World to Texas’ seventh-most populated county, Hidalgo County.
“Should there come a time when Disney begins to exercise any contingency that might include relocation of your theme park in Florida, know that Hidalgo County extends an open invitation to relocate to the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas,” Cortez said in his letter.
In the letter, he explains that by moving to the Valley the Disney resort would be filled with opportunities due to its closer proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and its “outstanding” business environment.
According to Cortez, the region graduates more than 15,000 students annually and has a workforce median age of 29, which is lower than that of the state and the nation. He also added that the county has grown 12% over the past decade and continues to grow.
