COLUMBUS, Ind. -- In the latest sign of its growth and commitment to southern Indiana, Cummins Inc. has announced it will add 600 new employees in a new office building in downtown Columbus, Ind.

This is the third expansion project in southern Indiana announced by Cummins in the past year. Once the new building is filled, in 2013, Cummins will employ nearly 3,000 professionals in a two-block area of downtown Columbus, three times its local presence in 2008.

“Our success in global markets over the past few years allowed us to remain strong during the recent economic downturn and has positioned the company for a period of accelerated growth,” said Cummins President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Linebarger, who announced the new expansion at an event attended by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, U.S. Rep. Mike Pence and several state and local officials.

“As Cummins continues to grow and prosper around the world, our headquarters city and state also benefit,” Linebarger added. “These well-paying professional jobs will be crucial as we chart a course for future growth both here and abroad, and also will add to the vitality and diversity of Columbus.”

The ground floor of the new building, facing Fourth Street, will be converted into commercial space with plans for additional downtown restaurants to be located at the site.

In order to provide parking for these new employees and the employees moving into the former First Financial property Cummins purchased earlier this year, an 800-space parking garage will be constructed along Jackson Street, between Sixth and Seventh streets, for use by Cummins employees during daytime working hours and for the community at all other times.

The City has also agreed to provide $1 million to Cummins to use for the Community Education Coalition’s education improvement initiatives.

In his remarks Linebarger stressed that creating and sustaining a welcoming community is vital to Cummins when it looks to grow its business in communities around the world.

“Once again, Columbus and the state of Indiana have proven to be outstanding partners in our efforts to strengthen our business and grow in southern Indiana,” Linebarger said. “The public-private partnership we have forged with local and state officials in Indiana, as well as with our educational institutions and philanthropic organizations such as Lilly Endowment, is a model for other Cummins communities around the world.”

Cummins reported its most profitable year in company history in 2010, largely on the strength of significant growth in large international markets such as China, India and Brazil.

The company says it expects further strong growth in 2011 as its key U.S. markets recover from the economic downturn, as part of a period of accelerated profitable growth over the next several years.