Apple has received a significant boost in its plans for a long-delayed campus in North Carolina. The state has granted the company a four-year extension to fulfill its hiring and investment commitments at the Research Triangle Park. This decision effectively resets the timeline, designating 2027 as “year one” instead of the previously established 2024.
The extension was approved by the Economic Investment Committee on Tuesday, following a formal request from Apple. Under new legislation enacted in June, the state can now extend grant requirements beyond the previous maximum of 24 months. This change applies to companies that already employ over 1,000 employees in North Carolina and have not yet received any payments through their initial incentive agreements.
To qualify for the incentives and grants, Apple must hire 126 employees for its Research Triangle Park project by the end of 2027. This requirement escalates to 1,719 employees by the end of year five and 2,700 employees by the end of the ten-year period. Apple’s workforce at this site is expected to focus on areas such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and software engineering.
History of Delays and Challenges
The journey to establishing the Research Triangle Park campus has been fraught with complications. Apple first announced its plans in 2018, intending to create an engineering hub and corporate operations in the region. By 2021, it was reported that North Carolina had made considerable efforts to attract the tech giant. The project involves a total investment of $1 billion and strict job creation targets, with Apple potentially eligible for over $800 million in tax incentives over 39 years.
Despite the ambitious plans, by 2022, construction had not yet commenced. Instead, Apple allocated nearly $20 million to renovate temporary offices within the MetLife III building. This renovation indicated a shift in priorities, but it did not signal a complete abandonment of the project. By 2023, Apple unveiled plans for a vast campus covering 281 acres, which would include commercial offices, a parking deck, streets, and a central utility facility.
In May 2024, local reports indicated that utility companies were prepared to assist, but Apple had not initiated any active discussions regarding construction. Allegations surfaced that the company intended to break ground by 2026. However, in June 2024, Apple requested to suspend its plans, seeking an extension of up to four years, a move first highlighted by The Carolina Journal. After a lengthy wait, the extension request was finally granted in November 2025.
The decisions made in North Carolina reflect Apple’s ongoing commitment to establishing a significant presence in the region, despite the challenges faced along the way. With the new timeline in place, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the company’s progress in fulfilling its commitments over the coming years.
