Judging from the company’s recent moves, Apple’s cloud plans may be even bigger than originally thought. What’s better than one new data center in North Carolina? How about a second one in Prineville, Oregon, just a stone’s throw from a similar Facebook facility?

KTVZ.com is reporting that Apple has purchased 160 acres of land in Prineville, Oregon. The $5.6 million purchase from Crook Country was confirmed by Apple to local NewsChannel 21, and the land is only “a stone’s throw” from a huge facility there owned by Facebook.

The deal only became public this week as Crook County had been working with a company known only as “Project Maverick” -- a move that came along with the requisite non-disclosure agreements to keep the deal quiet until it was finalized. On February 15, the first public document identifying Apple Inc. as the buyer finally became public.

Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet confirmed that the company “purchased the land for a data center,” but would not comment further, in keeping with traditional Cupertino policy.

"We just don't know what their plans are," Crook County Judge Mike McCabe said, adding that he's "confident it will be good for Prineville and Crook County. These folks have been wonderful to work with. We will look forward to a long-term relationship with them."

The February 15 signing of the deed to the property by the county commissioners coincides with the Oregon Senate passing legislation “to lift a property tax ‘cloud’ over data centers such as Facebook” -- so the timing of the purchase is not likely a coincidence, given the “sizeable property tax breaks” that come with the bill.

Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter

(Image courtesy of KTVZ.com)



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