Emails: LGBT law cost NC project with 700 jobs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Internal emails show that city and state officials blame a North Carolina law limiting LGBT protections for a company’s decision to pick another state for a new project that includes 700 jobs.

The Charlotte Observer reports it obtained emails showing the law known as HB2 was cited as a key factor in CoStar Group’s decision not to put its hub in Charlotte.

One email to city officials says the real estate research firm’s CEO received pushback from his board over HB2 when he sought to move forward with negotiations. The Sept. 20 email was from a local Chamber of Commerce executive to a city official.

An Oct. 25 email between North Carolina officials refers to “Spring 2016 Legislation” – an apparent reference to HB2 – as the reason the project was lost.

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