Apple, the largest tech company in the world by market cap, announced today it will develop a new North Austin campus with room for up to 15,000 new employees. The project is estimated to cost about $1 billion.
As a result, Apple will likely bump Dell and H-E-B from the top as the largest private employers in Austin in the coming years. Both companies reported about 13,000 local employees at the start of 2018.
Apple is proud to significantly deepen our quarter-century partnership with the city and people of Austin.”
“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,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, in a 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.”
Apple currently has about 7,000 local employees in town across its Parmer campus, other locations, retail stores and contracted work, according to The Austin Statesman. Austin’s Parmer site marks Apple’s largest workspace outside of its California headquarters.
This new facility will sit less than a mile from its existing location on Parmer Lane and will host up to 5,000 additional employees to start, with positions in engineering, research and development, operations, finance, sales and customer support.
“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,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler 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.”
The Austin expansion will continue Apple’s trend of building offices that run entirely on renewable energy. The campus will also include 50 acres of preserved open space.
In addition to its local growth, Apple shared it will be building new offices in Seattle, San Diego and Culver City, and has plans to expand existing offices in Pittsburgh, New York and Boulder. After adding 6,000 new jobs in America last year, Apple now employs about 90,000 people, with employees in every state.
Thanks, Tim.
