Earlier this month, Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced plans to double the size of Apple’s workforce in Austin, Texas. It would be an investment of $304 million, adding up to 3,600 jobs. Apple will receive $21 million in incentives over 10 years through the Texas Enterprise Fund as part of the deal.
According several reports from KVUE News and Austin news website Statesman, Apple representatives met with Austin City Council officials today for a formal proposal.
The plan would see Apple building up to 1 million square feet of new office space taking up approximately 38 acres at West Parmer Lane and Delcour Drive. As we reported before, the new jobs would mostly be administrative positions. As part of the deal, we also learned that City Council would offer Apple an extra $8.6 million over the 10-year period, but Apple is still apparently waiting for the City of Austin to come to a decision on whether to offer an incentive.
Apple is also considering other locations like Phoenix, AZ. Reports are that the city would have to offer about $75 million to Apple to close the deal. If the deal goes through, Apple would begin constructing new facilities this year, with hiring beginning by 2016.
A public hearing by the Austin City Council is scheduled for March 22 to further discuss the proposal.