Apple To Build $1B, 133-Acre North Austin Campus

Campus to be located in near proximity to existing Apple offices on Parmer Lane will create 5,000 new jobs, with potential for 15,000.

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Apple Inc. plans to build a $1 billion, 133-acre corporate campus in North Austin that will create up to 5,000 new job, officials announced early Thursday.

The planned campus expands the Apple footprint in Austin, already the biggest corporate presence for the tech giant outside its own Cupertinto, Calif. headquarters. The new campus will be located less than one mile from an exiting Apple campus on Parmer Lane, officials said in a press advisory.

While the immediate plans call for 5,000 employees, the new campus could accommodate up to 15,000 workers, the company noted. Currently, there are some 6,200 Apple workers in Austin. The influx of additional jobs is expected to make Apple the largest private employer in Austin, company officials noted.

Jobs created at the new campus will represent the breadth of functions including engineering, R&D, operations, finance, sales and customer support, according to Apple officials. The new campus will include 50 acres of preserved open space and, like all Apple facilities worldwide, its workspaces will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy, company officials said.

Gov. Greg Abbott touted the news, crediting the city's existing dynamics and worker readiness for the big corporate overture: “Apple is among the world’s most innovative companies and an avid creator of jobs in Texas and across the country,”Abbott said in a prepared statement.

“Their decision to expand operations in our state is a testament to the high-quality workforce and unmatched economic environment that Texas offers," Abbott continued. "I thank Apple for this tremendous investment in Texas, and I look forward to building upon our strong partnership to create an even brighter future for the Lone Star State.”

Austin Mayor Steve Adler painted the new expansion as an extension of the company's long and deepening ties with Austin: “Apple has been a vital part of the Austin community for a quarter century, and we are thrilled that they are deepening their investment in our people and the city we love,” Adler said in a statement. “Apple and Austin share a creative spark and a commitment to getting big things done. We share their commitment to diversity and inclusion. We’re excited they are bringing more middle-skilled jobs to the area. And we’re particularly gratified by their commitment to providing a great place to work for a large and growing number of America's veterans.”

Williamson County Director of Administration Rebecca Clemons expressed similar sentiments: “Apple is truly a part of our Texas family,” she said. “Apple’s vision on innovation, quality and simplicity align with the values here in Williamson County. We are both committed to continued job creation and outstanding quality of life. This new expansion is a perfect example of the astounding growth and opportunity that are possible when a company and a community work together.”

The local expansion is part of a broader effort by Apple to grow its employee base in regions across the U.S. over the next three years, company officials said. To that end, the company said it plans to expand by more than 1,000 employees in Seattle, San Diego and Culver City each, while adding hundreds of new jobs in Pittsburgh, New York, Boulder, Boston and Portland, Oregon. The company recently opened its newest office in Nashville, Tenn. and Apple’s Miami office is projected to double in size, officials added.

The announcement caps a year of continued job creation, company officials said. Apple added 6,000 jobs to its American workforce in 2018 and now employs 90,000 people throughout all 50 states. As announced in January, the company is on track to create 20,000 jobs in the US by 2023. The company has employment bases exceeding 1,000 workers in 16 states, Apple officials added.

“Apple is proud to bring new investment, jobs and opportunity to cities across the United States and to significantly deepen our quarter-century partnership with the city and people of Austin,” Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, said in a prepared statement. “Talent, creativity and tomorrow’s breakthrough ideas aren’t limited by region or zip code, and, with this new expansion, we’re redoubling our commitment to cultivating the high-tech sector and workforce nationwide.”

To read the full Apple Inc. press release, click here.

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>>> Top photo: The company's current facilities in Austin accommodate 6,200 staff, marking Apple's largest presence of employees outside of Cupertino, courtesy of Apple Inc.