Foxconn, the Taiwan-based electronics contract manufacturer to many tech giants, plans to invest US$30 million to build a new factory in Pennsylvania, according to an announcement made on Thursday evening.

The plan, part of its efforts to increase its footage in the U.S., will involve employment of up to 500 people, according to state officials. The site for the new plant has yet to be selected.

Foxconn will also give US$10 million to Carnegie Mellon University on a strategic R&D partnership with the Pennsylvania college. The money will go towards research and education in the fields of robotics and advanced manufacturing.

"This is somewhat of a rarity for us that a project moved along as quickly as it has," said Steve Kratz, spokesman for the state's department of Community and Economic Development.

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