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By Sean Whaley | Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval on Thursday defended the secretive process that led to a decision by Apple to build a data center and related facilities in the Reno area that will bring $1 billion in investment over the next decade.
Gov. Brian Sandoval on Thursday defended the secretive process that led to a decision by Apple to build a data center and related facilities in the Reno area.
“This is a long-term negotiation,” he said in an interview on the Nevada NewsMakers television program. “We’re talking to companies all the time and there is always a confidentiality provision. If there was some public discussion with regard to what the negotiations were it could have nixed the deal. And I don’t want to take that risk.
“Once the deal was struck then it immediately was given to the local governments,” Sandoval said. “There were public hearings that all occurred yesterday and the day before before the Washoe County Commission, before the Washoe County School Board, before the Reno City Council, that gave ample opportunity for comment and debate.”
A big part of the deal was $89 million in state and local tax breaks to lure the Cupertino, Calif., company to Northern Nevada. Sandoval also defended the incentives being provided to Apple.
