Apple's deadline for creating jobs in North Carolina is pushed back four years

The big picture: When Apple agreed to open an East Coast HQ in Research Triangle Park in 2021, it was one of the biggest economic development wins in state history.

• But four years later, the full vision has not been realized. But Apple does have several hundred employees at leased offices in Cary and Durham.

Driving the news: Apple requested the timeline be delayed in a letter to the Department of Commerce on Nov. 14, just weeks after the state passed a new law allowing certain economic development projects to reset their base periods.

• "Thank you again for your cooperation in finalizing this historic agreement. We look forward to continuing to work with you as Apple moves forward in North Carolina," Terry Ryan, senior tax director at Apple, wrote in the letter.
• Apple has not yet responded to Axios' request for comment.

What they're saying: "Today, Apple reconfirmed their commitment to the Triangle and North Carolina and we're pleased to see the company's strong progress towards its job creation goal," N.C. Commerce Sec. Lee Lilley said in a statement.

Flashback: In 2021, Apple said it would construct a corporate campus in RTP and hire around 3,000 workers by 2034.

• In return, Apple was in line to receive more than $800 million in incentives if it met hiring goals. It has not yet received any of those incentives.

State of play: Apple indicated last year it would need to delay its plans by four years, but noted at the time it had added around 600 workers in leased space at one of the MetLife office buildings in Cary.

• Under the original terms of the agreement, Apple was expected to have created 990 jobs in Wake County by the end of 2025.
• The company has 1,600 employees across the state.

Editor's note: We've updated this story with a quote from Lee Lilley.