Apple to spend billions on new tech centres across the US

Apple has said it will invest billions of dollars in spreading its physical presence across the US over the next five years, and aims to create 20,000 jobs in the process.

The iPhone creator today said it will spend $1bn (£792m) on building a new tech campus in Texas, expanding its existing operations in the city of Austin. 

It will also establish new sites in Seattle, San Diego and Culver City, as well as expanding in cities including Pittsburgh, New York and Boulder, Colorado over the next three years.

The new campus in Austin will have the capacity to grow to up to 15,000 employees, making Apple the largest private employer in the city. At its existing sites, Apple's 6,200 staff in Austin already represents its largest hub outside of its Cupertino headquarters in California.

Additionally over the next five years, Apple said it plans to invest $10bn in new US data centres, including $4.5bn this year and in 2019.

The news comes after Amazon ended its search for a second headquarters last month, eventually settling on Virginia and New York as its newest locations. The e-commerce giant has said it will accommodate 25,000 new workers at each site.

“Apple is proud to bring new investment, jobs and opportunity to cities across the United States and to significantly deepen our quarter-century partnership with the city and people of Austin,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.

“Talent, creativity and tomorrow’s breakthrough ideas aren’t limited by region or zip code, and, with this new expansion, we’re redoubling our commitment to cultivating the high-tech sector and workforce nationwide.”