ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal says General Motors will open an information technology center in suburban Atlanta.

Speaking at Georgia Tech, Deal said GM will purchase a former UPS facility in Roswell for the project that is expected to create 1,000 high-tech jobs and includes an investment of $26 million.

The move is part of a push by the automaker to hire up to 10,000 technology professionals over a three- to five-year period to produce GM software and other electronic applications in-house, instead of buying the products from outside companies.

General Motors Co. operates information technology centers in Warren, Mich., and Austin, Texas, and representatives say entry-level software engineers make between $60,000 and $70,000. A company spokesman said the Georgia facility should open in March and hiring will begin immediately.