LORDSTOWN, Ohio -- Auto giant GM on Thursday announced a big boost in production at its Lordstown plant.

People in Lordstown call this a new beginning and a birth of thousands of new jobs, reported NewsChannel5's Dan Haggarty.

GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said GM will invest more than $500 million to build its new global compact car, the Chevrolet Cruze.

More than $350 million of that investment will go into the Lordstown complex.

"It's an amazing thing. It will result in the single greatest increase in employment in this valley, in the last 30 years," said Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, who was in Lordstown for the announcement.

The plant will add a new third shift to build the new compact car, which means 1,400 new workers.

It’s a huge investment and commitment from GM during what they called tough times in the auto business. Plants all over the country have already closed their doors.

The investment all but guarantees the survival of the Lordstown plant. The new Chevrolet Cruze will hit street in April 2010.