North Carolina is part of Apple’s $500 billion U.S. expansion plans. Apple will expand facilities in nine states over the next four years and create 20,000 jobs, the tech giant said in a news release Monday. With the company’s largest ever financial commitment, it is focusing on artificial intelligence, silicon engineering and skills development.

Apple’s announcement signaled its near-term focus centers on artificial intelligence manufacturing. On Monday, the company promised a new manufacturing facility in Houston to make servers that support its AI system, called Apple Intelligence, and a new manufacturing academy in Detroit to help businesses integrate AI.

Apple plans to expand operations in Maiden, North Carolina — roughly 45 minutes from Charlotte — as part of its $500 billion, four-year U.S. expansion, the company announced Monday morning. Why it matters: This is Apple's largest financial commitment to date,

As Big Tech players like Apple prepare to funnel billions into the U.S. manufacturing base, North Carolina is hoping to land expansions and jobs.