Maiden, North Carolina, is gearing up for a big announcement on July 6 where many are speculating it will reveal Apple selected the town for its new data center. Governor Beverly Purdue revealed earlier in June that Apple would be locating the US$1 billion facility somewhere in the state, but the exact location hadn't been selected.

According to the Hickory Daily Record, the Maiden Town Council, along with the Catawba County Board of Commissioners and the county's Economic Development Corporation, will hold a special meeting on July 6 for an announcement that will likely focus on a new industry coming to the town. Exactly what will be announced is a closely guarded secret, and even some local officials are being kept in the dark.

Catawba County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Kitty Barnes said she doesn't know what will be announced, but added "It would be great news if it's about Apple."

The county has been promoting two locations as possible data center locations, and the area's high unemployment rate makes it a perfect candidate for Apple's new facility.

North Carolina law makers passed legislation that gave Apple special tax incentives to build the new data center in the state. In return, Apple agreed to invest $1 billion in the facility over the next nine years, and to build in an area that needs more jobs.

Apple's data center is expected to include 50 full-time employees and generate about 250 additional jobs.