By Philip 
Haldiman, Editor-in-Chief | The Dealmaker
Apple’s $2 billion investment in Mesa stands to be good real estate news for central Arizona, one expert says.
Michael Orr, director of the Real Estate Center at Arizona State University, told The Dealmaker the southeast Valley needs more local high-tech jobs.
The command center is expected to employ 150 full-time Apple workers, with 300-500 construction and trade jobs.
Solar panel manufacturer First Solar previously owned the site where operations will occur, which Apple had plans to lease to glass supplier GT Advanced Technologies, until it filed for bankruptcy last October.
This is obviously good news, especially after the disappointment of First Solar and then GT Advanced’s plans collapsing, Orr said.
“The projected 150 full-time people working at the Apple command center will boost the local economy for retailers and home builders, particularly those in Eastmark and the 202-corridor,” Orr said. “In the short term we will see a temporary boost for construction and trade jobs in the area, too.”
