MAIDEN, N.C. -- Town and county officials announced a $1 billion Apple data center is moving to Maiden.

The center will be located on a 200-acre tract of land on Startown Road next to Highway 321. It will bring about 50 job opportunities to that area. The center will provide music, videos, and movies through it's i-Tunes website and mobile service.

State lawmakers passed legislation in June to cut Apple's tax bill by $46 million over a decade in an effort to lure the company to North Carolina. They said Apple’s presence would support as many as 3,000 jobs in related industries.

The announcement is important because Catawba County's unemployment rate has climbed steadily over the last year. At 15.5 percent, it's more than double where it was this time last year.

Construction could begin as early as August and officials estimate nearly 700 workers will be hired to work on the project.

It is expected to be complete by the end of next year.