Apple eyeing Oregon for new data center?

Apple is considering building a large data center in Prineville, Oregon, according to a new report. Citing two people with direct knowledge of Apple’s plans, The Oregonian reports that Apple’s option to purchase 160 acres of land—currently owned by Crook County—expires at the end of the month, with climate, power costs, and tax breaks all playing roles in the decision. Notably, the location would place Apple’s data center less than a mile away from a large data center run by Facebook, and close to another sizable data center run by Google. Apple brought online a new $1 billion data facility in North Carolina earlier this year, which is used for both the iTunes Store and iCloud.