Apple: What is Waukee saying about Apple's data center?

Following the recent green light given by local planning officials on Apple’s Iowa development, a number of business people and leaders in the area have voiced their thoughts on what the development will mean for the area. Mayor Courtney Clarke outlined that in the first phase of development there will be a 316,000-square-foot data center with a 64,000-square-foot admin building and a 10,000-square-foot maintenance building, with almost an $1.4 billion investment over the next several years.

Aside from the investment in the project which will reportedly provide jobs for 500 workers, Clarke said that the giant has also expressed interest in partnering with the city on a long-term, alluding to possible future public improvements.

In a statement on the development, Apple said: “We are proud to be part of the community in Waukee, and of our many contributions to the city, including contributing more than $5.5 million to local projects like the new Triumph Park. Our new data center will create hundreds of local jobs and we look forward to breaking ground in the coming months.”

Locals have expressed their support for development, with one businesswoman, Echo Boland, the owner of Echo’s Cookie saying: “I hope it keeps the business coming and keeps my regular costumers regulars and the new costumers coming in. When this does start getting built up in here with the workers, I hope they use my machine for their daily snacks.”