Apple revealed Monday that it is looking to turn a factory that failed to make sapphire screens for iPhones into a new data center with a $2 billion investment.
GT Advanced Technologies was unable to fulfill its agreement with the Cupertino, Calif.-based tech giant and produce usable screens at the 1.3 million-square-foot building and filed for bankruptcy protection last October, according to Bloomberg.
"We're proud to continue investing in the U.S. with a new data center in Arizona, which will serve as a command center for our global networks," Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet wrote in an email on Monday. "This multibillion-dollar project is one of the largest investments we've ever made."
The command center, located in Mesa, Ariz., will employ 150 full-time employees, and Apple says it plans on starting construction in 2016, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Arizona governor Doug Ducey said in a telephone interview that the facility will also create 300 to 500 construction and trade jobs, Bloomberg reported. Apple said it will power the center completely with renewable energy, which will come from a new local solar farm.
"I got the impression from Apple that they wanted to do the right thing and we're excited that they are doing it here in Arizona," Ducey said.
GT will be able to use the facility until the end of the year as part of a settlement with Apple.
