DETROIT (AP) – General Motors says it will close a large computer center near Phoenix at the end of October, eliminating 940 jobs.
The Information Technology Center in Chandler, Arizona opened in 2014 as part of an effort by GM to attract software designers and other employees to metro areas with high numbers of technical workers.
Similar centers will remain open in Warren, Michigan, near Detroit, suburban Atlanta and Austin, Texas.
The Arizona center currently has more than 1,000 employees, and most of the jobs eliminated are related to customers, dealers and information technology support for the company. GM said Wednesday that employees from the other three IT centers would handle the work.
Spokesman Kevin Kelly said a small number of employees working on software for the vehicles would remain in Arizona. He said that the laid off employees would be able to apply for other posts in the company. Some will receive severance pay and outplacement services.
Last week GM also eliminated about 200 engineering positions at its tech center in Warren, near Detroit. Kelly said most of them are expected to take other jobs within GM.