General Motors announced today that the company is investing $1.4 billion for a range of improvements to its Arlington Assembly Plant, the largest single plant investment in the U.S. this year.

The investment, which includes raising the total minimum number of employees at the plant to 3,179 and 1.2 million square feet of plant expansion, will allow the Arlington Assembly Plant to continue to competitively produce high-quality, full-size SUVs.

General Motors is one of the biggest employers in Arlington and North Texas and is a key part of the City's economic foundation.

"When the General Motors plant opened its doors in Arlington 61 years ago, it was a dream come true for Mayor Tom Vandergriff and this community," said Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams. "His dream continues to live on through thousands of hard-working people that GM employs in Arlington and today's announcement will allow hundreds more the opportunity to achieve their own American Dream."

Since 2011, GM has invested nearly $2 billion in manufacturing improvements at the Arlington Assembly Plant. This includes today's announcement, the launch of the current full-size SUVs and a newly built stamping plant. The facility produces 1,140 vehicles each day, including the Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL and the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe.

To support GM's expansion, Arlington created a reinvestment zone and authorized a tax abatement of 80 percent over ten years for this agreement.

"We're proud of Arlington's 61-year partnership with General Motors and the opportunities the Arlington Assembly Plant continues to create for our residents," said Arlington City Manager Trey Yelverton. "This $1.4 billion dollar expansion is yet another significant investment by GM to the City's economy and it will preserve and grow hundreds of jobs here in Arlington."

Today's announcement aligns with the Arlington City Council's priority to "Invest in Our Economy." The Council has identified "Invest in Our Economy" as a vital component of the effort to ensure that our community continues to thrive.

The General Motors plant in Arlington opened in 1954. At that time, the plant employed 1,850 people. Currently, more than 4,000 people work at the facility. The plant is the largest car manufacturing facility in the state of Texas.

Watch and read the American Dream story of Norma Gonzalez, a Lamar High School and UT Arlington graduate who is now an industrial engineer at GM.