Apple, Facebook Put Prineville on the Map

Computerworld: This week, both Facebook and Apple have revealed plans to expand their data center facilities in Prineville, a small community of about 10,000 people in central Oregon. Apple has nearly completed a 10,000-square-foot facility in the town and plans to “slowly build over time” up to 500,000 square feet of space. Facebook already has a 334,000-square-foot data center in Prineville, is finishing a separate 360,000-square-foot facility, and filed plans to construct another 60,000-square-foot building there.

What makes Prineville so attractive to tech companies? Thanks to major trunk lines, it has very reliable power, and electricity costs only 5.5 cents a kWh. Plus, the dry, cool-at-night climate is ideal for data centers, and both companies are getting generous tax breaks.