Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will move forward on plans to make big investments in Michigan and create close to 6,500 jobs after the Michigan Strategic Fund board approved financial incentives for the company on Tuesday.

The company’s plans include a new assembly plant in Detroit and investments and upgrades to existing operations in Metro Detroit, all designed to help the company ramp up production of its popular Jeep and RAM brands.

“The investment will increase our capacity for those growing brands,” Christine Estereicher, head of state and local governement affairs for FCA US told the board Tuesday.

The board unanimously approved:

- For the Warren Truck Assembly Plant, a 15-year state essential services assessment exemption worth $21 million and a 5-year Good Jobs for Michigan withholding tax capture worth $6 million. This is expected to create 1,400 new jobs and spur $963 million in investment.

- For the Warren Stamping Plant, a five-year state essential services assessment exemption worth $692,928. This is expected to spur $236 million in investment.

- For the Sterling Stamping Plant in the city of Sterling Heights, a five-year alternative state essential services assessment exemption worth $180,900. This is expected to spur the creation of 83 new jobs and $169 million in investment.

- For the Jefferson North Assembly Plant and Mack Engine Plant in Detroit, a $10 million Michigan Business Development Program Grant, a Good Jobs for Michigan withholding tax capture for up to 10 years valued at up to $99 million, a 15-year State Essential Services Assessment exemption valued up to $13,456,976 and a 15-year State Essential Services Assessment exemption valued at up to $18 million. The company is expected to invest $901 million and create 1,100 new jobs at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant, and invest $1.6 billion and create 3,850 jobs.

The company’s first move will be on the new Detroit plants, where it plans to build the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee and an all-new three-row Jeep SUV.

“Construction is set to begin immediately, should you approve this. We have our construction teams ready to go,” Estereicher told the board ahead of its approval.

FCA expects vehicles to start rolling off the new Detroit line before the end of 2020, Estereicher said.

The company eyed sites in Illinois and Mexico, Estereicher said, but settled on Michigan.

“We’re putting Michigan and Detroit first. This is our home, we’re very proud,” said FCA Chief Operating Officer for North America Mark Stewart at a press conference hosted by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after the approval.

Whitmer applauded the invesment, noting it was the largest private automaker investment deawl in the United States in the last decade.

“It’s fitting that the state that put the world on wheels is where we will build the cars of the future, as well,” she said.

She cited Michigan’s place in the “mobility” industry, understood to include autonomous vehicles. The FCA investment bolsters the company’s ability to produce electric and hybrid cars, as well.

Asked about the state spending on the incentives, Whitmer cited spinoff jobs and investments the deal spurs.

“The incredible multiplier effect that will happen for our state is way beyond any investment that we’re making on the front end,” Whitmer said.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, a Detroit native, said Detroit helped put the world on wheels, and decedents of some original autoworkers could be working at this plant.

“We’re ready to get to work building the future, once again, in the Motor City,” Gilchrist said.

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said the investment proved Southeast Michigan had a talented workforce, and the project gave the area an opportunity to “bring back that vibrancy in manufacturing.”

Stewart said the jobs created would have an average wage in the high $50,000 range. “We will have jobs at all levels,” he said, including plant mangers and skilled trades positions.