- Rumors suggest Apple has paused plans for its new hub at Research Triangle Park
- The project was expected to create over 2,700 new jobs upon completion
News has surfaced that Apple has decided to halt its plans for an East Coast campus at Research Triangle Park, as reported by ABC11.
The hub, which has been in planning for three years, has already contributed to the creation of more than 600 jobs in North Carolina, particularly in Raleigh. It was anticipated that the project would bring about a total of 2,700 new job opportunities to the area, including potential startups that could emerge as a result.
However, rumors suggest that Apple is now delaying the full realization of the project by extending the incentive deal timeline by four years.
Patience is key
Despite the pause in the expansion plans, Apple still maintains its massive Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, which evolved from the Infinite Loop facility. Recognizing that not all talent can be based in California, the company had intended to expand to North Carolina.
While the current situation may indicate a delay in the East Coast hub project, Apple’s financial capacity remains strong, with the company raking in $90.75 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2024 alone.
The development of the new campus is reportedly on hold rather than completely scrapped. Apple stated to ABC11, “Apple has been operating in North Carolina for over two decades, and we’re deeply committed to growing our teams here. In the last three years, we’ve added more than 600 people to our team in Raleigh, and we’re looking forward to developing our new campus in the coming years.”
Initially announced in 2021 during a period of pandemic-induced growth in the gaming industry, the $1 billion campus reflects a time of industry expansion. However, amidst post-pandemic challenges, reorganizations and layoffs have become prevalent.
Although Apple has not faced layoffs to the extent of other tech giants like Google, the decision to pause campus development and subsequent hiring aligns with the current industry climate. Reports suggest that the project has been stagnant since May 2024, following Apple’s layoff of 600 employees in California.
Additionally, Apple is currently grappling with legal battles as the EU’s DMA seeks to impact their post-DMA profits.
