Rivian Resumes Construction on Georgia Plant, Emails Confirm
â–¼ Summary
– Rivian will resume prep work on its Georgia factory in August and aims to break ground early next year, supported by a $6.6 billion DOE loan approved earlier.
– The company has invested over $80 million in the project as of June 2025, creating 46 full-time jobs, with deep utilities installation starting in August and vertical construction in Q1 2026.
– Rivian is engaging existing suppliers to co-locate near the Georgia factory and requested a list of regional suppliers to support production of the R2 SUV and R3 hatchback by 2028.
– Rivian’s CEO met with Georgia’s governor in May to discuss project updates and strengthen state partnerships, described as a “regular check-in” by the company.
– The project, delayed due to supply chain issues and focus on expanding its Illinois factory, faced local opposition and political scrutiny over the DOE loan after the 2024 presidential transition.
Rivian is gearing up to restart construction on its Georgia electric vehicle plant, with preparatory work set to begin in August and full-scale building expected early next year. Internal communications obtained through public records reveal the company’s renewed push following a $6.6 billion federal loan approval earlier this year.
The automaker has already poured over $80 million into the project, doubling its investment since last summer, while creating 46 full-time positions so far. Initial infrastructure work will focus on underground utilities before transitioning to above-ground structures in early 2026. Rivian is actively engaging suppliers, both existing partners and regional manufacturers, to support production of its upcoming R2 SUV and R3 hatchback, slated for a 2028 launch.
A recent meeting between Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp underscored the project’s importance. Company representatives described the discussion as a routine update, emphasizing collaboration with state officials to strengthen local partnerships. While the governor’s office declined to comment, Rivian confirmed ongoing coordination with Georgia’s economic development team to identify nearby suppliers, aiming to streamline logistics and boost regional job growth.
Originally announced in 2021, the $5 billion facility faced delays due to supply chain challenges and Rivian’s decision to prioritize expansion at its Illinois plant. The project regained momentum after securing DOE loan funding through the same federal program that aided Tesla during the 2008 financial crisis. However, the financing drew scrutiny from some political figures following the recent presidential transition, temporarily casting uncertainty over the deal.
Despite these hurdles, Rivian has moved forward, recently posting multiple job openings, including a construction manager role, to support the Georgia site’s development. The company maintains that the facility will reinforce U.S. leadership in EV manufacturing, describing it as a catalyst for high-quality employment and domestic supply chain resilience.
With site work resuming next month and supplier networks being finalized, Rivian appears committed to delivering on its long-delayed vision for the Georgia plant. The coming months will test whether the company can maintain this pace amid evolving economic and political landscapes.
(Source: TechCrunch)
