General Motors Co. announced that it will be investing $1 billion to upgrade and renovate its Warren Technical Center near Detroit.
The automotive giant plans on starting upgrades this month and continue work over the next three years.
What is the GM Warren Technical Center?
The Warren Technical Center is a 710-acre campus located in Warren, Michigan. It has been the center of General Motor’s engineering effort since its inauguration in 1956. At the time of construction the facility cost GM approximately $100 million.
The center is currently home to more than 19,000 employees.
It was named a National Historic Landmark in 2014 by the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service.
Renovations and upgrades planned for the 59-year-old facility
After decades of decline the center is in desperate need of an upgrade.
The giant $1 billion investment will be used to renovate existing facilities, build new ones as well as expand operations.
A total of 2,600 new salaried jobs are expected to be created as a result.
According to General Motors, investment highlights include:
- Construction of new design studios.
- Construction of a parking deck for Design employees.
- Rebuilding and upgrading existing R&D facilities.
- Building a multi-story IT building next to the current Michigan IT Innovation Center, as well as a new parking deck for Innovation Center employees.
- Construction to accommodate additional testing areas at the Advanced Energy Center.
- Extensive office upgrades including new carpet, paint, furniture, reconfiguration of miscellaneous work areas in most Tech Center buildings, improving the work environment for all campus functions, including the Vehicle Engineering Center or VEC.
“This is an investment in our people, our products, and, ultimately, our customers, to make the Tech Center a more advanced, more efficient and more collaborative workplace,” said Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president, Global Product Development and Purchasing and Supply Chain.
“Developing a new vehicle is a total team effort, and every facet of this project will make us a stronger team.”
Rick Snyder, Governor of Michigan, welcomed the news
“This is great news for Warren, the region and our state – it soundly demonstrates GM’s commitment to Michigan and our talented workforce, providing key jobs and career opportunities for today and tomorrow,” said Snyder.
“This is why we’ve focused so hard on creating the competitive economic climate for this kind of investment in our state that will keep our comeback going strong, making Michigan the place to live, work, do business, and play.”
Mr. Snyder uses the term ‘economic climate’ with the meaning ‘economic conditions.’
Warren Mayor Jim Fouts said:
“I am very excited about the investment in the GM Tech Center in Warren, which means more jobs and new revenue for police and fire services. This growth has already resulted in proposals for new investments in our downtown, which is directly across the street from the Tech Center.”
