I had an Amtrak transfer from Austin once. I know that, in the past, they had a reputation for some very wild parties just a few feet on the other side of Austin City limits. Other than that, I just like making fun of Texas.
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Apple Investing $300 Million in Austin, Texas to Add 3,600 More Workers
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I had an Amtrak transfer from Austin once. I know that, in the past, they had a reputation for some very wild parties just a few feet on the other side of Austin City limits. Other than that, I just like making fun of Texas.
Austin is a great place to live and work; the weather is beautiful most of the time, the culture is simultaneously down-home conservative and hippie-weird, the food is awesome, the bars lively. Fantastic place.
Here's the satellite view of the Austin campus:
http://g.co/maps/34ek4
They have a lot of land around them to grow into, so we could see a few more building pop up on that free land.
It should also be noted that Apple actually spilled over from that campus into nearby rentable office building because they grew so quickly. They initially spilled over with the the launch of the iPhone, and have maintained that spill-over office (though, the work done there has changed over time). Even after they built the 4th building (the one on the map not connected to the other 3), they continued to use the spill-over office building because they didn't have enough room for all the people down here.
Source: I worked in that office park for a few years.
http://g.co/maps/34ek4
They have a lot of land around them to grow into, so we could see a few more building pop up on that free land.
It should also be noted that Apple actually spilled over from that campus into nearby rentable office building because they grew so quickly. They initially spilled over with the the launch of the iPhone, and have maintained that spill-over office (though, the work done there has changed over time). Even after they built the 4th building (the one on the map not connected to the other 3), they continued to use the spill-over office building because they didn't have enough room for all the people down here.
Source: I worked in that office park for a few years.
I disagree, Austin is the quintessential Texas. Anybody who says Austin is un-Texas a.) knows nothing about the rest of Texas an b.) is a bit bigoted.
Bingo. I'm in Houston and I believe all of Texas respects and strives to "Keep Austin Weird".
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Another Bingo. While Austin has a wonderful hippie/rocker/"weird" vibe, I always find that those who say Austin is completely unlike the rest of Texas either A) doesn't have the foggiest clue about Texas or B) Wasn't loved as a child and feels the need to pander to Liberals for validation.
Just saying...
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Anyone who is surprised about this and wonders why Austin, Texas, has no clue about the tech industry in Texas. Just in the Austin area alone you have Apple, Microsoft, Dell to name a few. Up the road a few hours north you've got Microsoft, RIM, IBM. The expansion in Austin makes perfect sense.
Anyone who is surprised about this and wonders why Austin, Texas, has no clue about the tech industry in Texas. Just in the Austin area alone you have Apple, Microsoft, Dell to name a few. Up the road a few hours north you've got Microsoft, RIM, IBM. The expansion in Austin makes perfect sense.
Here's my 61 cents
Bit drunk, but here we go.
Apple will use the enormous cash reserve it has to spend an unheard of amount ($40 billion, plus) in gradually setting up a chip manufacturing infrastructure and a screen manufacturing plant in America.
I'm British by the way, so this isn't American bias.
Apple want everything in-house - the A4 and A5 chips are the first indicators - and that will extend to every product it makes. It also doesn't want to have third parties making the screens for iPhones, iPads, or the new Apple TV set.
But this will take - what? - five years?
Apple are being cost-effevtive at present, reaching every market in the world, before they use the profits to make themselves only answerable to themselves - control CPUs, mobile devices, television and media, and base it all where they choose (not necessarily all in America.)
That's what the cash reserve is for.
Pretty scary really, but I suppose it's what's we've been championing for all these years.
Bit drunk, but here we go.
Apple will use the enormous cash reserve it has to spend an unheard of amount ($40 billion, plus) in gradually setting up a chip manufacturing infrastructure and a screen manufacturing plant in America.
I'm British by the way, so this isn't American bias.
Apple want everything in-house - the A4 and A5 chips are the first indicators - and that will extend to every product it makes. It also doesn't want to have third parties making the screens for iPhones, iPads, or the new Apple TV set.
But this will take - what? - five years?
Apple are being cost-effevtive at present, reaching every market in the world, before they use the profits to make themselves only answerable to themselves - control CPUs, mobile devices, television and media, and base it all where they choose (not necessarily all in America.)
That's what the cash reserve is for.
Pretty scary really, but I suppose it's what's we've been championing for all these years.
Texas...
I can tell you Austin is very overrated and liberal.
Our governor is a hell of a lot better than our president, and a lot more qualified to be in his position. I prefer College Station than Austin any day of the week.
I can tell you Austin is very overrated and liberal.
Our governor is a hell of a lot better than our president, and a lot more qualified to be in his position. I prefer College Station than Austin any day of the week. I can tell you Austin is very overrated and liberal.
Hush up, Aggie...
jk
I have a better idea. Cities don't bow down, and the companies still need to build their building somewhere.....
Austin.....
Why don't Dallas or Houston count? And from someone that lived in Austin, it's not the liberal sanctuary that it's claimed to be; it's just liberal for Texas.
Why don't Dallas or Houston count? And from someone that lived in Austin, it's not the liberal sanctuary that it's claimed to be; it's just liberal for Texas.
It's all about supply and demand. If one particular city doesn't want to "bow down" as you call it, another city will gladly do so.
Argh! I hate Prick Rerry...and undoubtedly, he will take credit for this deal.
Wish he would trip on a stump or something.
But yay for Texas jobs.
Amen. Where is Ann Richards when you need her? (RIP)
"Poor George, he can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."
The interesting part of this to me is that Samsung has built the factory for Apples A5 chip manufacturing in Texas. I'd guess that's a lot more jobs than the Apple facility that provides the associated management and design functions.
I know I'm going to get downrank but texas of all places?
"Fight on!"
Um, two words: Texas Instruments. Heard of it?
I'm just kidding... I'm from Fort Worth and naturally have to give Dallas a hard time..same for Houston (both have great food and entertainment options, just too much traffic).
All of this talk makes me want BBQ for lunch.
What about negotiation is "bowing down"? It's not like Austin doesn't want Apple or any other business there and are being forced to accept what is happening. Austin wants as much business and expansion as possible so that jobs will be created, the economy strengthened, taxes paid, and the community improved.
It's the "art of the deal". Do you understand sales at all, even on a government level? Local governments want and need local businesses, big and small, and are willing to use the tools they have to broker the deals.
I live in the Dallas area and in the past couple of years Jerry Jones and the Cowboys built a new stadium. The city of Dallas refused to work with Jerry and reach an agreement that both sides could approve. The city of Arlington down the road was more flexible and made the deal. Tax cuts were given, money was pledged for the stadium, and I'm sure much more. The Arlington economy has been greatly bolstered by the presence of the Cowboys. The 2011 Superbowl alone brought in millions of tourism money to the area and the local businesses like restaurants, hotels, etc.. Dallas is now kicking itself and upset that the former mayor refused to "get it done".
In situations like Apple and the Cowboys no one is "bowing down" or getting taken advantage of. Business is being conducted and if it is done wisely then both sides benefit. Simple economics my friend.
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So if Apple's economic benefit were $100M, it'd be okay if Texas gave them $99M in incentives as long as $1M net benefit was being generated?
It's absolutely ridiculous that a company with Apple's cash reserves gets any tax breaks. I don't know how you can defend it.
I've lived in Texas for over 20 years and even though I don't love it, you can't argue that it has one of the lowest cost of living in the US. It is also business friendly and that's why you see a lot of companies moving to Texas. The housing market is fairly stable and the recession didn't hit as hard compared to other states. Those are some of the reasons why Texas.
A net $1M dollar gain for the city would be bad business and terrible negotiation on the part of the local government. Where did I ever say cities and states should agree to bad business deals? Read my post above for further explanation. Apple's level of success and present cash reserve has no bearing on their desire to broker a good deal. Are you saying that just because a company or an individual is successful that they should no longer look out for their own best interest? This is business my friend, not charity.
Good News
I am glad to hear this news. I am from Austin and still live here. I work at Samsung and I feel the tech industry and job security within the industry is fairly good. I like this move for Apple and for our future.
I am glad to hear this news. I am from Austin and still live here. I work at Samsung and I feel the tech industry and job security within the industry is fairly good. I like this move for Apple and for our future.
Post of the Day nominated!
I think the fact that Apple is going to be adding a couple thousand customer-service positions (presumably English speaking, or as close to it as you can find in Texas..) says a lot about how many people have Apple products in their hands.
Personally, I've never actually had to call Apple Customer service. Then again, I got an iMessage from one of my mother's friends at 5.30 am this morning (she lives in England) asking for help with her iPad2 (she needed to do a soft restart).
This, however, is the flip side of the "iEconomy" article that appeared in the New York Times. No, there aren't ever going to be a half million people in the USA assembling Apple products. But there might very well end up being a hundred thousand or so, earning decent money, with decent benefits, etc. doing all the other things necessary to bring great products to people around the world.
Yeah, we all hate the "welfare queen" getting $300 a month on food aid but love our corporate welfare.
Argh! I hate Prick Rerry...and undoubtedly, he will take credit for this deal.
Wish he would trip on a stump or something.
But yay for Texas jobs.
And why shouldn't he? If it happens on your watch, you get the credit or the blame.
For the record, I loathe Rick Perry.
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This.
Kranchammer said:
This.