Apple plans to create more than 3,600 jobs in the Austin, Texas area, with the building of a $304 million new facility that will double the size of its workforce in the Lone Star State.

"Our operations in Austin have grown dramatically over the past decade, from less than 1,000 employees in 2004 to more than 3,500 today," said Steve Dowling, an Apple spokesman. The new facility will allow the computer giant to expanded customer support, sales and accounting functions for the region.

"In exchange for Apple's commitment to create these new jobs in Texas, the state offered Apple an investment of $21 million over ten years through the Texas Enterprise Fund," said Gov. Rick Perry. "The investment from the Texas Enterprise Fund comes in exchange for a promise that Apple will add more than 3,600 employees at its new facility in Austin over the next decade," the Governor explained. Perry added the payout to Apple is one of the largest for the state and the company's job pledge one of the most ambitious since the fund was created in 2003."

"Apple is known for its bold innovation and game-changing designs, and the expansion of their Austin facility adds to the growing list of visionary high-tech companies that have found that Texas' economic climate is a perfect fit for their future, thanks to our low taxes, reasonable and predictable regulations, fair legal system and skilled workforce," Perry said.