14 DAY TRIAL // Central Oregon’s local station, KTVZ, has received confirmation from Apple that the Mac maker has purchased a 160-acre parcel in Prineville, OR, from Crook County for over 5 and a half million dollars. Apple plans to use the land to build a “green” data center.
Located just a quarter mile away from Facebook’s own data center, the upcoming facility was confirmed by Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet, who told Oregon’s news station on Tuesday, “we purchased the land and it’s for a data center.”
Huguet declined to offer specifics, but did say that the facility will be a “green” one.
Apple just recently published new documents on its Environment site where the company details the efforts it is making to reduce its carbon footprint, especially through the usage of large facilities such as the Maiden, NC data center erected last year.
The facility has been awarded LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Apple touts it as “exceptionally energy efficient.”
This week Apple also confirmed that it would have the largest solar array and largest fuel cell in the U.S.
Crook County Judge Mike McCabe told KTVZ he was not allowed to speak about their deal with Apple. McCabe said he had signed a non-disclosure agreement.
"We just don't know what their plans are," McCabe said, adding that he's "confident it will be good for Prineville and Crook County."
"These folks have been wonderful to work with," he said. "We will look forward to a long-term relationship with them."
McCabe also revealed it was actually Facebook who attracted Apple to Prineville, Oregon for its next data center.
"Facebook kind of helped recruit (Apple), saying, 'You've got to come up and look at this community,'" said McCabe.
"Our economic development folks did do the follow-up," he added.