(Editor’s note: Opinion pieces are published for discussions purposes only.)
In early October, the tech world, and even Apple, was surprised to find out that GT Advanced Technology filed for bankruptcy. At the time, Apple’s response was to focus on preserving jobs in Arizona. “We will continue to work with state and local officials as we consider our next steps,” said Apple spokesperson Chris Gaither. As the events unfolded over the next month, it was clear that GT Advanced was not going to do anything on their end to preserve jobs. The company is folding at the end of this year.
That does not mean “lights out” for the million-square-foot factory. Bloomberg spoke with Mesa, AZ City Manager Christopher Brady and learned that Apple is still committed to bringing jobs to the area. “They’ve indicated their commitment to us: They want to repurpose that building and use it again,” said Brady.