AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File
An Apple logo adorns the facade of the downtown Brooklyn Apple store on March 14, 2020, in New York.
When Apple announced a $500 billion nationwide investment in new manufacturing and computer technology research, Houston was singled out.
The California-based technology giant said Monday it plans to build a 250,000-square foot server manufacturing facility in Houston by 2026, creating thousands of local jobs.
The commitment could be considered a recognition of the region’s prowess to attract corporations to invest in development or put their headquarters in Houston. As Mayor John Whitmire noted, oil and company Chevron announced last year it was moving its headquarters to Houston, and global wind turbine manufacturer Vestas recently opened a corporate office in the city.
“Apple‘s announcement is a powerful message to everyone that the City of Houston is recognized as a place to live and work and the best major city in America to do business,” Whitmire said.
Apple’s planned facility will be a manufacturing hub dedicated to making servers for “Apple Intelligence,” the company’s in-house artificial intelligence system, and “Private Cloud Compute” services.
A number of industries serving Houston will be involved, according to Craig Rhodes, the senior vice president of the Greater Houston Partnership, an economic development organization.
“When you look at what the opportunities are going to be for a project of this size and scope for small businesses, for construction firms, for supplier networks that may be able to create new opportunities for these businesses, and of course there’s an indirect job creation that happens with these projects,” he said.
Rhodes said he expects a boom in construction and supporting roles as the new facility is built.
“Robotics facilities, advanced assembly roles, you’re going to have logistics, warehousing, maintenance, really creating jobs across the spectrum for those who are here in the Houston area,” Rhodes said.
The servers Apple plans to produce in Houston have been manufactured outside the United States.
“Apple’s announcement further solidifies Houston’s leadership as a hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing,” Steve Kean, the president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, said in a statement. “This is a testament to our region’s business-friendly environment, skilled workforce, strategic global positioning, and proven ability to attract world-class companies. As U.S. companies continue to onshore their manufacturing operations, we are bullish on Houston’s ability to win big.”