The sun beat down on five shiny shovels lining the strip of ground where the new APX Alarm Security Solutions facility will be built.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held at noon last Thursday at 5050 N. 300 West in Provo, near the Riverwoods business park area.

APX was recently awarded the Reed Smoot 2008 Business of the Year award by the Provo-Orem area Chamber of Commerce. They are also the largest privately owned residential security alarm installation company in the United States, according to a news release.

Keith Nellesen, president of APX Alarms, said the building design was inspired by visits to Google, Inc. and Apple, Inc. facilities. Amenities will include a café, children's play area, gym and a library. The structure will also focus on making use of environmentally friendly "green" design tactics and family-friendly space. "We want our campus to be a place for study and renewal," Nellesen said.

The structure will be a corporate headquarters and will house a new crop of employees. Stuart Dean, APX media relations spokesman, says the company is looking to hire an additional 1000 employees. Some of these positions are for call center representatives in both part-time and full-time positions.

Also present was Provo Mayor Lewis Billings. "Creating jobs is a form of community service and APX is going to be doing that," he said.

The project is scheduled for completion during spring 2010.



Copyright Brigham Young University 15 Sep 2008