Apple is continuing its effort to bring manufacturing of devices and components back to the U.S. by purchasing a factory in Mesa, Ariz., that will bring approximately 2,000 new jobs to the area.

The new factory, which will run on solar power, will make sapphire crystals used in devices including the fingerprint scanner on Apple's new iPhone 5s. The crystal manufacturing is part of a multi-year deal with GT Advanced Technologies, during which GT will employ more than 700 people at the factory. The project will also create 1,300 jobs for construction and other purposes related to the project, according to a statement from Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.

"Apple will have an incredibly positive economic impact for Arizona and its decision to locate here speaks volumes about the friendly, pro-business climate we have been creating these past four years," Brewer said. "Their investment in renewable energy will also be greening our power grid, and creating significant new solar and geothermal power sources for the state."

Apple is returning its manufacturing operations to the U.S. after years of having its components and devices created in foreign countries including China. Apple CEO Tim Cook announced plans in December 2012 that some Mac production would start to shift back to the U.S. During Apple's product launch event on Oct. 22 the company announced that the new Mac Pro desktop would be designed and built in the U.S.