HOUSTON, Texas -- Apple officials opened a new manufacturing facility in Houston as part of a $500 billion initiative from the company to strengthen production in the U.S. and the Houston area.

The big picture The new 20,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Center will be the second largest facility that produces Apple technology in the U.S., according to an Aug. 13 news release.

"In less than nine months, we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars into this Houston facility," Apple CEO Tim Cook said.