Reno city council approves Apple tax break for data center

No big surprise here -- the Reno, NV city council has approved tax breaks for Apple's proposed data center and business / purchasing center in the city. The tax breaks are expected to produce a 79 percent reduction in Apple tax burden, but building the facilities should provide the northern Nevada city with a significant economic boost.

Washoe County commissioners approved their part of the deal on Tuesday, giving Apple an 85 percent break on personal property taxes. The 350-acre data center still has a few hurdles to overcome, as the project must go through about a month-long approval process with the Nevada governor's economic development office.

If all the approvals go smoothly, construction of the new Apple data center could begin as soon as August of 2012.