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.

Decades ago, NASA sent its astronauts to this North Carolina planetarium for training. Here’s how to visit today.

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,