As Apple ramped up its Maiden, N.C. data center over the past few years, it was clear that it was looking to expand even further. Late last year there was a report that Apple was looking near Prineville Oregon, just a quarter-mile from Facebook’s massive datacenter, for a plot of land. The plan was called, “Project Maverick.”
Today, local station KTVZ, confirmated (via Macrumors) that Apple purchased a 160-acre parcel in Prineville from Crook County for $5.6 million just a stone’s throw from the huge facility built by Facebook. (Pictured, right.)
Apple’s Kristin Huguet confirmed the deal:
County commissioners signed the deed on Feb. 15— the day that Oregon passed a tax break for corporations wanting to build data centers (including Facebook).
She noted the company this week launched a new Website, www.apple.com/environment, which covers a wide variety of its “green” efforts, including LEED energy-efficiency certification for its new Maiden, North Carolina data center. Huguet noted it will have the largest solar array and largest fuel cell in the U.S.
“We just don’t know what their plans are,” said McCabe, adding that he’s “confident it will be good for Prineville and Crook County. These folks have been wonderful to work with.” He also said: “We will look forward to a long-term relationship with them.”
According to McCabe, Facebook helped lure Apple to the area, saying: “You’ve got to come up and look at this community.”
General area of the new DataCenter:
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