Apple considering huge North Carolina server farm
Of course, if one state has their checkbook out then it’s overwhelmingly likely that others are in the running as well. Then there’s also the question of which segment or segments of Apple’s business the facility will be designed to service?
Modesto Bee reports that state lawmakers in North Carolina are pushing legislation to that will award millions of dollars in incentives and tax breaks to Apple should the Cupertino, CA-based Mac, iPod and iPhone maker decide to locate a $1 billion server farm there.
Specifically, lawmakers have crafted a bill that will give Apple tax breaks if it invests, as well as meet wage and benefit standards, in some of state’s poorest counties. Legislators want our favorite fruit company to locate the facility in Catawba or Cleveland counties, and the bill currently under consideration could mean $46 million in incentives upfront and up to $260 million in tax breaks over 30 years for the company.
“The bill ensures it’s going to go to an area of high unemployment. This reflects concerns many of us have had about economic development policy, that priority should be given to the neediest counties,” said Representative Paul Luebke.
Please, sir, we want some more
In recent years, North Carolina lured a massive $600 million Google server farm to the impoverished western hills of the state with a package of incentives and tax breaks.
Although such facilities generally don’t employ large numbers directly, they do require large amounts of electric power, national network backbone access and highly skilled workers, making server farms an attractive prospect for development officials because of the knock-on economic effects.
So, what other states are trying to lure Apple with incentives and tax breaks? Given the economy and the many states with impoverished areas, surely North Carolina isn’t the only suitor?
Are local and state development officials where you live courting an “unnamed investor” with plans for a large server farm? Share what you know…
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May 23rd, 2009
Maybe they could use that server farm to run an online virtual iPhone like http://interactiveiphone.com
May 23rd, 2009
my guess is AppleTV or MobileMe, both are nearing critical mass and once that point is reached, Apple needs to have the capacity to meet demand. Apple bought a data center in new jersey a few years ago, and they have a big one north of san fran. so it could be to just add capacity for the southeast.
it won’t be a billion, but could be $100 million or so.