NC governor inks tax law, says Apple data center coming [u]
Although the Cupertino, CA-based Mac, iPod and iPhone maker is still silent on the subject, the state’s legislature and top elected official have passed and signed, respectively, legislation designed specifically to attract the company’s East Coast server farm.
WRAL.com reports that North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue has signed Senate Bill 575, which modifies the method by which capital-intensive businesses calculate corporate income tax liability in the state. Further, she’s stated publicly that Apple will locate the massive $1 billion facility there.
“North Carolina continues to be a prime location for growing and expanding global technology companies,” says Perdue. “During these tough economic times, it’s important to make the investments that create jobs in areas that need them the most.”
The governor didn’t say which of the two short-list locations—Catawba or Cleveland counties—has won the right to host the facility, which is expected to employee at least 50 directly and perhaps hundreds more in a part of the state with 15-plus percent unemployment.
[update] Triangle Business Journal reports that the site of primary interest for Apple is the 180-acre Catawba Data Park, a greenfield project planned along US Highway 321 near Newton.
“We welcome Apple to North Carolina and look forward to working with the company as it begins providing a significant economic boost to local communities and the state,” said Governor Perdue. [u]
As part of the deal, of which Apple has said nothing, the company must agree to meet specific wage and benefit levels for those employed at the data center. It’s unknown what services the company will perform at the facility.
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