1/3 of the employees were laid off, that is 1/3*450 = <<450*1/3=150>>150 employees.
There were 450-150 = <<450-150=300>>300 employees remaining.
If the company was paying each person $2000, the total amount of money paid to the remaining employees is 300*2000 = $<<300*2000=600000>>600000.
#### 600000