In yet another move to expand its 'Made in USA' efforts, Apple will build a new manufacturing plant in Mesa, Arizona. The facility will provide employment opportunities to more than 2,000 people and is expected to create 700 "quality" jobs in the first year. The remaining 1,300 or so positions will be related to construction and other associated jobs.

"Apple is indisputably one of the world's most innovative companies and I'm thrilled to welcome them to Arizona," said Jan Brewer, Governor of Arizona. The facility will rely on advanced renewable energy for its manufacturing operations. Apple confirmed the announcement and said that the plant, which will manufacture components for its products, will create jobs in engineering, manufacturing and construction.

There was no official comment from either party on what exactly the facility will manufacture but GT Advanced Technologies, an Apple component supplier that has signed a multi-year sapphire materials agreement with the company, said that the plant will manufacture sapphire crystal – a material used to create iPhone camera lenses and protect the iPhone 5s touch ID fingerprint scanner.

Asia has been the manufacturing hub for Apple but the company is now trying to bring back some manufacturing jobs to the US. Earlier this year they announced that the new Mac Pro models will be assembled in Texas and the company is also in the process of building an AppleCare repairs facility in Pennsylvania.