Detroit is not known for its economic success, but General Motors (News - Alert) sees something in the struggling city: the carmaker company plans to hire up to 1,500 workers to staff a new computer technology center just outside the city. The center will become a part of the grounds of GM’s technical center in Warren, north of Detroit.

The move comes as part of a bigger plan to bring 90 percent of GM’s information technology in-house, to make the company more efficient overall.

The bigger plan includes GM’s hiring 10,000 people to staff its four new technology centers, to be completed in the next three to five years. Besides Detroit, the other technology centers are in two undisclosed locations, as well as one in Austin, Texas.

Last month GM announced its plans to hire approximately 500 people for its Austin location.

These moves are somewhat surprising coming from GM, as the company has been known in the past to outsource its computer jobs.

Spokeswoman Julie Huston-Rough defended the company, however, saying that most carmakers strike a balance between doing computer work inside the company, and hiring from outside firms.

GM reportedly hopes its four computer technology centers will contribute to breakthrough ideas into the company’s cars and trucks.

Chief information officer of GM Randy Mott has said he wants more people in the company working on development and innovation, integrating the tasks into GM’s day-to-day business.

The company has been recruiting on college campuses for its centers, as well as at local information technology job fairs. The jobs on offer include positions in software development, project management, business analysis and database management.

According to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder (News - Alert), the computer center is the first of three announcements GM will make about jobs in Michigan. Ultimately, GM has plans to add 2,000 positions to help the economy in the state, and will reportedly invest $300 million in this aim.