Updated Mar 6, 2013 - 2:26 pm
GM opening tech center near Phoenix, hiring 1,000
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PHOENIX -- General Motors said it will open a new information technology innovation center in Chandler and hire 1,000 high-tech employees to staff the new location.
The development announced Wednesday will be the fourth facility GM has opened to bring its IT development work in-house.
Gov. Jan Brewer's spokesman said GM's $21 million capital investment is a big win for Arizona.
"This facility will bring 1,000 high paying jobs to Arizona over the next five years," said Brewer at a press conference to announce the center. "It comes with a $21 million dollar projected capital investment from GM. This is exactly the kind of economic development we need in our great state."
Company officials said they chose Chandler because of the region's pool of talented IT workers and because the state's universities offer a steady stream of new graduates. They also cited the cost of living and quality of life in Arizona.
The company will begin hiring in April and house workers in a temporary center until its facility opens early next year.
General Motors was in bankruptcy a few years ago until receiving a bailout from the federal government. KTAR asked Brewer if President Barack Obama should get some of the credit for General Motors rebound that made the jobs possible in Arizona.
"You'd probably have to talk to President Obama," Brewer said. "I would like to believe that was a lot of what has taken place with General Motors and this wonderful news today is because of what we've done in Arizona."
Brewer said that the state's business friendly climate is what attracted GM to the Valley and she wishes the company well.
KTAR's Bob McClay contributed to this story.
