Apple to Build New Data Center in Iowa [Updated] - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple to Build New Data Center in Iowa [Updated]

by

Apple is planning to build a new data center in Waukee, Iowa, according to a meeting agenda published by the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board and shared by The Des Moines Register.

At a meeting that will take place Thursday morning, the board plans to review Apple's application for investment in the city and will "consider an undisclosed amount of incentives" to encourage Apple to build the data center.

renodatacenter

An Apple data center in Reno, via the Reno-Gazette Journal

While the agenda simply suggests Apple is planning some kind of project in Waukee, sources that spoke to The Des Moines Register have said Apple will build a data center, joining Microsoft, Facebook, and Google, companies that also have data centers in the area.

Apple currently has data centers located around the world. In the United States, Apple operates data centers in Reno, Nevada; Prineville, Oregon; Maiden, North Carolina; Newark, California; and Mesa, Arizona.

Update: Iowa's Economic Development Authority approved a deal on Thursday that will give Apple $208 million in state and local tax breaks to construct two data centers near Des Moines. The new data centers will create approximately 50 jobs, and Apple will buy 2,000 acres of land for the project, allowing for future development.

Top Rated Comments

unipnthr Avatar
113 months ago
Waukee is a suburb of Des Moines, which has a metro population of over 500,000. So, not small.

Microsoft and Facebook have multiple data centers in the Des Moines area, apparently due to cheap land and ample access to water.
The other large piece of that is low, stable electricity costs. I would guess that with over a 1/3 of the energy produced in Iowa coming from wind that doesn't hurt as well. Iowa is 2nd to Texas in terms of over all installed capacity, but 1st
Waukee is a suburb of Des Moines, which has a metro population of over 500,000. So, not small.

Microsoft and Facebook have multiple data centers in the Des Moines area, apparently due to cheap land and ample access to water.
The other large reason is access to low, stable electricity prices. I am sure it doesn't hurt that the electricity provider they would utilize is aiming to have its wind generation account for roughly 90% of its electric retail load.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
113 months ago
That's very small town. They need those jobs.
Waukee is a suburb of Des Moines, which has a metro population of over 500,000. So, not small.

Microsoft and Facebook have multiple data centers in the Des Moines area, apparently due to cheap land and ample access to water.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
113 months ago
Good. Apple should continue to add and expand data centers so that it can eventually fully replace AWS, Azure, etc. and lower iCloud pricing. $9.99/month for 2 TB is a great price (almost everyone else charges twice as much).
I'd be happy with 1TB for $5. That could store all my stuff and more.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

MacBook Pro Low Angle Wide Lens

Apple to Launch 'MacBook Ultra' With These Six New Features

Friday April 24, 2026 10:32 am PDT by
While the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro were just updated with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips last month, bigger changes are reportedly around the corner. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the higher-end MacBook Pro models will be receiving a major redesign by early 2027, and he said that Apple might use "MacBook Ultra" branding for them. If so, the MacBook Ultra would likely be a...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

This Is What the iPhone 18 Pro Looks Like

Saturday April 25, 2026 10:00 am PDT by
A recent leak provides our best look yet at the design of Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. Leaker Sonny Dickson recently shared images of the first iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone dummy models. The images largely conform with rumors about the designs of the three devices and provide the first real visual confirmation of how they will look. ...
app store monthly sub commitment

Apple Introduces App Store Monthly Subscriptions With 12-Month Commitment

Monday April 27, 2026 12:52 pm PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of a new subscription option for App Store developers: monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment. The new option allows developers to offer subscribers discounted pricing typically associated with an annual subscription but paid on a monthly basis to keep payments more affordable. This new payment option allows you to offer subscribers more affordable...