“Apple Inc. plans to invest $2 billion to convert an Arizona factory into a data center after the facility failed to produce sapphire screens for iPhones,” Tim Higgins reports for Bloomberg. “GT Advanced Technologies Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection in October after the supplier wasn’t able to produce screens of usable quality at the Apple-owned factory in Mesa, near Phoenix. The smaller company wasn’t able to fulfill the terms of an agreement with Apple.”
“‘We’re proud to continue investing in the U.S. with a new data center in Arizona, which will serve as a command center for our global networks,’ Kristin Huguet, a spokeswoman for Cupertino, California-based Apple, wrote in an e-mailed statement on Monday. ‘This multibillion-dollar project is one of the largest investments we’ve ever made,'” Higgins reports. “The data center will employ 150 full-time Apple employees and will create 300 to 500 construction and trade jobs, Doug Ducey, Arizona’s governor, said in a telephone interview. The factory will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy, including from a new local solar farm, Apple said.”
“‘I got the impression from Apple that they wanted to do the right thing and we’re excited that they are doing it here in Arizona,’ Ducey said,” Higgins reports. “Apple also will invest to build and finance solar projects, which will produce enough energy to power more than 14,500 Arizona homes, the state said in a statement.”
This is a great day for Arizona, and we have moved rapidly to make this happen and take advantage of Apple’s interest in our state. Apple is by far one of the most innovative and successful companies in the world. Its decision to bring this new facility to Mesa is a huge win for Arizona and a high testament to our business-friendly climate and talented workforce. – Arizona Governor Doug Ducey
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Edward W.,” “Ixol Phaane,” and “Jaan Seunnasepp” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
Apple will save jobs in Arizona by repurposing sapphire factory – November 19, 2014
Apple sticking with Arizona plan after sapphire supplier GT Advanced falters – November 18, 2014
I’m afraid if they keep building huge solar plants that suck up all the sun, we’ll get global freezing and I’m cold enough right now.
Wool caps are cheap.
Dont worry.. Most of the heat is dissipated back in the air down the line..;) .
Don’t worry, because… Arizona.
I know you’re joking, but I won’t let that stop me from doling out a bit of trivia; two minutes of sunshine on the Earth is the equivalent power of the world’s total energy consumption.
Per day, that is.
Hilarious (or a Republican)!
Not only do solar cells absorb sunlight, they give off carbon dioxide. Between solar cells and cows giving off methane the world is doomed to a global warming fate! /s+. 😉
I just hope they are buying the high quality solar panels that don’t delaminates after two years.
Have they figured out a way to keep the dust off them?
Apple Pledge.
Robots. With lasers.
“Have they figured out a way to keep the dust off them?”
300 homeless guys with buckets and squeegees.