Apple Breaks Ground on New $1 Billion USD Campus in Austin, Texas

Apple has announced the beginning of construction at its new campus in Austin, Texas.

Apple

Apple’s presence is well-known in Austin. It announced late last year plans for a massive expansion of its facilities in the capital city. The move, it said, would make Apple the largest private employer in Austin. The new 3-million-square-foot campus will initially house 5,000 employees, but it will be built to eventually accommodate 15,000 workers. It’s expected to open in 2022, and Apple says it already employs 7,000 people in the city.

The decision was made as part of the Cupertino company’s expansion focus, as it’s also prepping to start shipping its new Mac Pro workstation — which is being manufactured exclusively in Austin — beginning in December.

“Building the Mac Pro, Apple’s most powerful device ever, in Austin is both a point of pride and a testament to the enduring power of American ingenuity,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “With the construction of our new campus in Austin now underway, Apple is deepening our close bond with the city and the talented and diverse workforce that calls it home. Responsible for 2.4 million American jobs and counting, Apple is eager to write our next chapter here and to keep contributing to America’s innovation story.”

The site will maximize green space, with landscaping covering more than 60 percent of the grounds, and will include a 50-acre nature and wildlife preserve that will be open to the public. Apple is working with Bartlett Tree Experts, an Austin firm, to plant native species. The new Austin campus will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy, according to Apple.

Apple now supports more than 2.4 million jobs across the U.S., including 450,000 manufacturing and operations positions. It directly employees 90,000 people in all 50 states.

More than $1 billion USD of Apple’s $5 billion Advanced Manufacturing Fund has already been invested into American companies. This includes the $450 million USD invested in Corning, maker of the glass panels used in iPhone, iPad, and other Apple devices.

The announcement comes as US President Trump is planning to visit the tech giant’s facility in the same city.