Apple announced Monday a $500 billion investment in U.S. expansions over the next four years, including a major expansion to a data center complex just north of Charlotte. The company plans to hire 20,000 workers nationwide, concentrating on data centers, artificial intelligence, and silicon engineering.
“We are bullish on the future of American innovation, and we’re proud to build on our long-standing U.S. investments with this $500 billion commitment to our country’s future,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a press release. “From doubling our Advanced Manufacturing Fund, to building advanced technology in Texas, we’re thrilled to expand our support for American manufacturing. And we’ll keep working with people and companies across this country to help write an extraordinary new chapter in the history of American innovation.”
Apple has operated a data center in Catawba County, just north of Charlotte, for the past 15 years, growing from a single server building in Maiden to a 500,000-square-foot facility.
The Catawba County Board of Commissioners recently approved another $1 billion expansion for the site. Analysts predict Apple’s total investment in North Carolina could exceed $5 billion over the next decade.
As part of its broader $500 billion investment strategy, Apple will expand its advanced manufacturing footprint and grow its research and development teams. The company said that the majority of its 20,000 new hires will focus on AI, machine learning, silicon engineering, hardware, and software development.
The company hasn’t yet responded to our request for specifics in how much of the $500 billion will be focused on North Carolina operations.
