Apple plans to contribute over $430 billion over the next five years, creating new jobs and constructing a campus in Austin, Texas. (Image Credit: Stephen L/Unsplash)
I love seeing R&D expand. It means more need for engineers. Over the next five years, Apple plans on contributing over $430 billion in the US, adding 20,000 new jobs. That also includes a $1 billion campus and engineering hub in North Carolina's Research Triangle area, generating 3,000 new jobs in AI, machine learning, software engineering, and other innovative fields. This five-year commitment is being raised by 20%, aiming to accelerate economic benefits across the country. It also involves investing tens of billions of dollars for leading-edge silicone production and 5G across nine states.
Apple is also setting up a $100 million fund for schools and community initiatives in the Raleigh-Durham area while investing over $110 million in infrastructure spending. These funds are granted to 80 North Carolina counties that need it most for broadband, roads and bridges, and public schools. Once it's operational, North Carolina could see over $1.5 billion in economic benefits per year from Apple's investments.
Currently, it's on pace toward reaching its 2018 goal: creating 20,000 jobs in the US by 2023. These new investments also allow the opportunity to generate an additional 20,000 jobs across the country over the next five years.
"At this moment of recovery and rebuilding, Apple is doubling down on our commitment to US innovation and manufacturing with a generational investment reaching communities across all 50 states," Apple CEO Tim Cook said. "We’re creating jobs in cutting-edge fields — from 5G to silicon engineering to artificial intelligence — investing in the next generation of innovative new businesses, and in all our work, building toward a greener and more equitable future.”
With these investments, teams are expected to grow in numerous states, such as California, Colorado, and Massachusetts. It also supports the construction of a new $1 billion campus in Austin, Texas. Employees could start moving into the building as early as next year. Meanwhile, Apple started designing Iowa’s new data center, which expects to generate over 500 construction and operations jobs in Waukee.
Apple is expanding its teams in an environmentally-friendly approach while focusing on renewable energy and green innovation. Nearly 60 of Apple’s US sites are LEED certified. All of its US and worldwide operations are carbon neutral. The company’s $430 billion investments also include teaming up with over 9,000 suppliers and companies across the country. This helps to support job creation in silicon engineering, 5G, and manufacturing.
Apple and other corporations could eventually run the US government, but that might not be so bad. Last year, the company spent $15 million on political lobbying, which covered issues such as climate change, general consumer privacy issues, government requests for data, etc.
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