DETROIT - General Motors announced Thursday it is investing $1 billion at its Warren Technical Center and adding about 2,600 jobs as part of upgrades and new construction at the 326-acre campus, reported mLIVE.

The Detroit automaker said that multi-year project begins this month and will continue through 2018.

Construction plans call for new design studios, a new IT building, new testing areas, the renovation of existing R&D facilities, extensive office upgrades throughout the tech center and new parking lots to accommodate the influx of additional employees.

The estimated 2,600 new jobs will be salaried positions in areas such as IT, design and engineering at the facility. GM currently has about 19,000 employees at the tech center, which is located between Van Dyke Avenue and Mound Road.

"This is an investment in our people who work at the Tech Center because it is positioning the company for long-term growth by enabling new levels of innovation and collaboration into our workplace," Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president of Global Product Development and Purchasing and Supply Chain, said in a statement. "We will transform this campus into a collaborative workplace of choice for our current team and future talent."

Last month, GM said it is investing $5.4 billion in its U.S. plants over the next three years, including $783.5 million at three facilities in Michigan.

The Michigan investment includes $124 million at the Pontiac Metal Center, $520 million for tooling and equipment at the Lansing Delta Township plant, where it is preparing for new product and retaining 1,900 jobs; and $139.5 million for a new body shop and stamping facility upgrades at Pre-Production Operations in Warren.

The $1 billion investment announced Thursday is in addition to that $139.5 million upgrade.

"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," Gov. Rick Snyder said in a statement. "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."

GM's major investment in Warren came to light last month as the automaker sought a tax abatement there for the upgrades.

Warren City Council approved a 12-year, 50 percent tax abatement for the Detroit automaker's project at a special meeting April 21, the Detroit News reports.

"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," Warren Mayor Jim Fouts said Thursday. "This growth has already resulted in proposals for new investments in our downtown, which is directly across the street from the Tech Center."

Construction of the sprawling tech center began in 1949 and was completed in 1956. Designed by world-renowned architect Eero Saarinen and landscape architect Thomas Church, the campus was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 and named a National Historic Landmark in 2014.