Kentucky’s Oldest City Will Be the New Home for $2.5 Billion Apple Manufacturing Facility

When I think of apples and Kentucky, I'm thinking about fall. I'm always thinking about fall, though, so it almost doesn't count. But now I'm thinking about Apple and Kentucky, after a major announcement on Wednesday.

Apple Comes to Kentucky

Ford, General Electric, Toyota, and Perdue have all recognized the value of building manufacturing facilities in Kentucky, and now tech giant Apple is planning a similar move.

When it comes to manufacturing iPhones, multiple countries are involved. As we know, the devices are designed in California, and, in addition to the United States, iPhone components are made in Germany, Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, and India. They are then shipped to locations such as the Czech Republic, Malaysia, and Thailand for manufacturing. But what about the glass?

Apple Glass to Be Manufactured in Kentucky

Not to be confused with Google Glass, a resounding failure, this glass is, well, actual glass that will be used for iPhones and Apple Watches. Specifically, it's the cover glass for the phones and watches, and all of it will be made here in the Commonwealth.

In a partnership with glass manufacturer Corning, which operates a facility in Kentucky's oldest city, Harrodsburg, Apple will build a facility there and manufacture Ceramic Shield (iPhone glass), Ion-X Glass (for Apple Watch Sport and SE models), and Sapphire Crystal (used for higher-end Apple Watch models).

The two companies will also open the Apple-Corning Innovation Center, a development facility for future projects.

No start date for construction or expansion has been announced.