By Steven Symes 
German automaker Mercedes-Benz has settled on Atlanta as its North America headquarters, which means some jobs are moving to Georgia. The announcement was made on May 22, signaling a shift away from Michigan as the state’s brain drain problem continues.
According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, up to 500 jobs will be moved from other parts of the country to an already-established facility in Fulton County, called 1MB. In turn, the automaker will invest millions in the Peach State.
A new state-of-the-art research and development facility will be established near 1MB. That means even more jobs for the area and could increase the sightings of Mercedes test mules and camouflaged prototypes in the Atlanta metro.
As for the teams in the 1MB facility, they will be composed of sales, financial services, and corporate roles.
Mercedes-Benz will be moving about 400 positions from a facility in Michigan to Atlanta. That will take about 18 months to complete, reports CBT News.
The Mercedes-Benz 1MB facility was opened back in 2018, so it’s fairly new. Currently, it houses about 800 employees, meaning this expansion will dramatically increase the headcount. The automaker estimates the shifting of roles to the Atlanta area will be completed by August 2026.
“Georgia continues to lead the way in the future of mobility and technical innovation, attracting world-class companies like Mercedes-Benz that are driving the automotive industry forward,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “We’re excited that a job creator that already has close ties to Georgia is doubling down on that choice and growing their presence here in the best state for business and opportunity.”
Understandably, Georgia officials on the local and state level are excited for this move, which will boost the economy further.
Image via Mercedes-Benz