Automotive maker Mercedes-Benz USA is boosting its corporate presence in Atlanta, moving up to 500 jobs to its existing Sandy Springs headquarters and planning to invest in a research and development facility nearby. 
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced the plan Thursday morning, saying Mercedes has not identified a specific site for its “multimillion-dollar” R&D facility, but it will be near Sandy Springs. 
Financial services teams and corporate functions in Farmington Hills, Michigan, will be moved to Atlanta, adding to the 800 employees already in the city, Mercedes said in a press release. The German auto company opened its U.S. headquarters in Sandy Springs in 2018.
“This strengthens our…