Rivian breaks ground on Georgia EV plant
Rivian has officially launched its new manufacturing site in Georgia. The facility near Social Circle will represent a multi-billion-dollar investment and is expected to create 7,500 permanent jobs by 2030, along with 2,000 construction jobs during the build-out phase.
Customer vehicle production is scheduled to begin in 2028, with the site dedicated to Rivian’s next generation of all-electric models, including the midsize, five-seater R2 SUV and the R3 crossover. The company plans to develop the plant in two phases, each designed to deliver 200,000 units of annual capacity, for a total of up to 400,000 vehicles.
Rivian has stated that the nearly 2,000-acre site will use modern construction techniques and advanced environmental management. Plans include recreational trails for employees and customers, including a dedicated Rivian experience trail.
“We are cementing Rivian’s future at our Georgia plant, helping ensure America maintains its technology leadership and excellence in automobile manufacturing,” said Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe. “Our Georgia facility will support our global expansion and provide the scale necessary to get millions of future drivers in our incredible all-electric vehicles, both in the United States and overseas.”
According to an analysis by IMPLAN, which the carmaker cites in its press release, Rivian’s investment will also generate nearly 8,000 indirect jobs, bringing the total to more than 15,000 positions supported. The report estimates over $1 billion in annual labour income will be created, benefitting suppliers, vendors and small businesses in the region.
“Today is another milestone in bringing quality, good-paying jobs to Georgians in this part of the state,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “With today’s groundbreaking, this innovative company is further delivering on its commitment to the people of Georgia, and the thousands of hardworking Americans who will work at this facility will see generational benefits for their families.”
“The Rivian project is exactly the kind of opportunity the JDA envisioned 25 years ago: high-tech, good-paying jobs in the communities we call home,” said Jerry Silvio, Chairman of the Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Morgan, Newton & Walton Counties. “With Rivian here, our region continues to be a hub for innovation and high-tech manufacturing.”
At the beginning of the year, the US electric carmaker secured a $6.6 bn loan from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to set up the new production facility in Georgia. The funds will be paid out in two tranches. Excluding capitalised interest, Rivian will receive around 3.4 billion dollars in the first phase and 2.6 billion in the second.
This comes after previously suspended construction of the new plant in Stanton Springs North in 2024, after recording high losses in 2023 and again in the first quarter of last year. It also relocated the production of the upcoming R2 to its operating factory in Normal, Illinois. However, now, once the site is up and running, the midsize SUV will roll off the production line in Georgia, as will the midsize crossover R3.
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