What's being shared is assumptive - because no information was provided (that's the problem. When…read moreyou don't give information, people will draw their own conclusion. Reputable companies don't work that way).
One of the following must be the case.
1. Discrimination due to the area where the work was requested.
2. Expectation of profit not provided by the project as requested.
First, it took over a week to get a reply. That's unprofessional for a first impression.
But second, and more critically, they provided no response, just a refusal on the job.
Now, you might say, "maybe they're understaffed, doot doot doot!". If that were the case, why would you not say that as the reason? People who don't share a reason are hiding something.
Given this, I'll recommend avoiding this company until whatever changes are implemented internally for them to fix their issues.