Apple promises $2 billion command center in Mesa (2015, construction)

[TempeAZnative]

This is awesome news glad Apple is coming to the valley and bringing jobs and trying to make right the fiasco with their glass supplier.

Apple promises $2 billion command center in Mesa

Apple Inc. will establish a command center for its global data networks in Mesa, promising a $2 billion investment over the next 30 years, state officials will announce this afternoon.

[new2colo]

Yawn. I'll believe it when it actually opens and is staffed with people. This state is so desperate it will roll over for any business. Is that multi-billion dollar Intel plant staffed with anyone yet, or is it still sitting empty?

Of course the Arizona Republic couldn't be bothered with finding out useless facts like when this "command center" is supposed to actually start operations, what a "command center" exactly is, or giving readers a hint at potential wage/salary ranges. Luckily, ABC 15 steps in and quotes an Apple representative as saying that construction won't begin until the end of next year. A lot can happen between now and then.

In an economy like this, it is hard to get excited about a proposal that is pretty far off in the future.

[yukon]

Ducey will be joined at a Capitol news conference by Mesa Mayor John Giles as well as other state officials. Apple representatives will not be present.

You have to wonder when it says no Apple representatives will be present.

[Potential_Landlord]

I think we take everything we can get.

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by yukon

Ducey will be joined at a Capitol news conference by Mesa Mayor John Giles as well as other state officials. Apple representatives will not be present.

You have to wonder when it says no Apple representatives will be present.

+1

Apple can't spare even one corporate mouthpiece? (not that the duker would let 'em get a word in edgewise, but still!)

[HX_Guy]

Wow Debbie Downers all up in here.

Sure the original plan would have been great, but look at the alternative...Apple pulling out completely and that site just sitting empty. While this new plan will only hire 150 employees vs the original 700, they will be higher paid and it's Apple employees and the company itself, not a sub-contractor. I think it'll hold a lot more weight image wise to actually have the Apple logo on the building vs GT Advanced. Plus, the state saved $10 Million as Apple isn't claiming that incentive that was part of the original deal.

[43north87west]

I'll applaud when the doors open for business.

[pbenjamin]

This from Jon Talton:

Sorry to sun on the parade, but data centers are the low end of the food chain. No R&D, design or engineering jobs, no executive decision-making, no "ecosystem" that builds and sustains a broader economy of advanced industries. This is why most data centers are located in places such as the rural South.

[ibarrio]

The valley needs more high tech/ high paying jobs. Not another call center.

[sh9730]

Ibarrio,

Data center is different than call center - much better - Im a fan of (almost) any type of job and progress and am glad this is coming in after the GT technologies fiasco - but as others have pointed out it is a "mediocre" type jobs. Better than 11.00 call center - but not 100K engineers either.

But again - I ll take it!