Apple to invest $500 billion in the U.S., hire 20,000

Apple is doubling down its presence in the U.S. with a massive $500 billion investment plan that includes expanding manufacturing, hiring 20,000 people, and strengthening its chip and server production. Announced on Monday, the initiative will roll out over the next four years, with large-scale projects planned across multiple states.

“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,”  Apple CEO Tim Cook said.

“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,” Cook added.

What’s New

Apple’s latest expansion focuses on research, silicon engineering, software development, and AI. Part of this plan includes scaling up chip and server manufacturing in the U.S., as well as launching training programs for students and workers.

The company calls this its biggest financial commitment yet, a move that aligns with efforts to bring more tech production back to the U.S.

The Backstory

Cook met with Trump at the White House before the announcement. The former president, eager to share the news, spoke about it prematurely during a meeting with governors:

“I hope he’s announced it—I hope I didn’t announce it, but what the hell? All I do is tell the truth—that’s what he told me. Now he has to do it, right?”

Trump also pointed to other companies moving production to the U.S., citing automakers that halted plans in Mexico to avoid tariffs.

Bigger Picture

Apple claims it now supports nearly 3 million jobs across the U.S. through direct employment, supplier partnerships, and the iOS app economy. The company already works with thousands of suppliers across all 50 states and has helped fund projects in 13 states through its Advanced Manufacturing Fund.

This isn’t Apple’s first large-scale U.S. investment pledge. Four years ago, the company committed $430 billion over five years, which included plans for a campus in North Carolina. While work on that project was delayed, Apple says it has extended its timeline in coordination with state officials and is continuing to expand its workforce there.

Apple will invest over $500B in the U.S. focused on AI (Credit: Apple)

Where Apple Is Expanding

• Texas: A new AI server manufacturing plant near Houston, covering 250,000 square feet, will open in 2026. The facility will support Apple’s Private Cloud Compute and AI efforts.
• Michigan: A new Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit will train workers and consult with small businesses on AI and smart manufacturing techniques.
• California: A major campus is under construction in Culver City, while San Diego’s workforce will continue to grow beyond its current 4,000 employees.
• Arizona: Apple Silicon chips will be produced at TSMC’s Fab 21 plant in Phoenix.
• Washington: The Seattle team has doubled in size over three years, now at 2,400 employees, with more hiring planned.
• Other Locations: Apple is expanding operations in Mesa, Arizona; Reno, Nevada; Prineville, Oregon; and Maiden, North Carolina.

This expansion includes a major manufacturing facility in Texas, a training academy in Michigan, and continued investment in chip production. Apple is also doubling its Advanced Manufacturing Fund from $5 billion to $10 billion, aiming to strengthen its supplier network and expand its U.S.-based research and development.

Houston to Become Key Hub for Apple Intelligence

A big piece of this plan is a new 250,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Houston, set to open in 2026. Apple and its partners will use this facility to produce servers that power Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI-driven personal assistant.

These servers, previously built overseas, are designed to deliver security and energy efficiency for Apple’s cloud infrastructure. Apple says this shift will support thousands of new jobs while helping scale AI-driven features across its ecosystem.

Investing in American Manufacturing

Apple’s Advanced Manufacturing Fund, originally launched in 2017, is getting a $5 billion boost. The fund has already backed projects in 13 states, including Texas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. The latest expansion includes a multi-billion-dollar commitment to producing silicon chips at TSMC’s Fab 21 facility in Arizona, where mass production of Apple-designed chips began last month.

The company’s investment in domestic chip manufacturing has also fueled job creation at suppliers like Broadcom, Texas Instruments, and Skyworks. Currently, Apple sources silicon components from 24 factories in 12 states, and that number is expected to grow.

Expanding R&D Across the U.S.

Apple has nearly doubled its U.S.-based research spending over the past five years, with plans to accelerate that growth. The company recently introduced the iPhone 16e, featuring the Apple C1 modem—its first in-house cellular modem, designed for efficiency and performance.

The new modem marks a shift away from reliance on third-party chips, with Apple aiming to develop and optimize its wireless technology in-house. This strategy is part of a broader investment in hardware and software research, with teams across the country working on custom silicon, AI, and machine learning.

Manufacturing Academy in Detroit

To help businesses adopt modern manufacturing practices, Apple is opening a new training academy in Detroit. Engineers from Apple, along with experts from Michigan State University, will provide consulting and free training programs for small- and mid-sized companies looking to integrate AI and smart manufacturing.

The academy will offer courses on project management and manufacturing optimization, aiming to improve productivity and efficiency across supply chains. Apple’s broader commitment to workforce development includes ongoing partnerships with organizations like 4-H and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, helping young people learn technical skills.

A Long-Term Play

Apple says its U.S. footprint now supports nearly 3 million jobs, spanning direct employment, supplier relationships, and app development. Beyond manufacturing and research, the company is expanding its data center capacity in North Carolina, Iowa, Oregon, Arizona, and Nevada to support its growing AI and cloud operations.

With a focus on domestic manufacturing, chip production, and job creation, Apple’s latest investment is set to reshape its U.S. operations while strengthening its role in AI and advanced computing.

Apple’s investment signals a long-term commitment to expanding its U.S. operations, while also reinforcing domestic chip production and AI development. The impact of this move will unfold over the next four years as these projects take shape.