Austin City Council Throws Apple $8.6 Million For New Campus

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Apple's existing campus in Austin, Texas.
Apple's existing campus in Austin, Texas.

City officials in Austin, Texas, have agreed to pay Apple $8.6 million in incentives over the next ten years after the Cupertino company revealed its plans to invest $304 million in a new campus. Additionally, it will also receive $21 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund, and possibly a further $6 million from Travis County Commissioners.

KXAN reports that the Austin City Council “unanimously” approved the $8.6 million in economic incentives last night, allowing Apple to expand its presence in the city over the next decade. It currently operates a campus in Northwest Austin with around 3,100 workers, but it wants a new campus for an additional 3,600 employees.

All the company must do now is confirm its plans and accept the money.

Apple will also receive $21 million from the Texas Enterprise fund, according to the report, and another $6 million could come from Travis County Commissioners. In total, the company stands to receive $36.5 million.

But with $100 billion in cash in the bank, that sum has come under fire from some citizens. “If they can do it on their own without receiving that assistance, I’m all for it,” mayoral candidate Clay Dafoe told the council before the 6-0 vote was cast. “I don’t think, though, that this resolution brings equity to our taxpayers here in Austin.”

“There’s absolutely no reason for Austin, a city with a myriad of budgetary issues to even consider handing out money to any private corporation,” another speaker said.

If Apple chooses to go ahead with the plan, construction will begin later this year, according to 9to5Mac, which reports the new building will consume 38 acres of land at West Parmer Lane and Delcour Drive.

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