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Rivian restarting work on its Georgia factory, emails show
TechCrunchยท 2025-07-17 16:15
Core Insights - Rivian is set to resume preparatory work on its Georgia factory in August, aiming to break ground early next year, following a $6.6 billion funding approval from the Biden administration's Department of Energy [1][9] - The company has invested over $80 million in the project as of June 20, 2025, with plans for "deep utilities" installation starting in August and "vertical construction" beginning in Q1 2026 [2] - Rivian is actively engaging with existing suppliers to explore co-location opportunities near the Georgia factory, which is expected to support the production of the R2 SUV and R3 hatchback by 2028 [3] Investment and Job Creation - As of June 2025, Rivian's investment in the Georgia factory has increased from $41 million in July 2024 to over $80 million, creating 46 full-time jobs so far [2] - The company plans to leverage Georgia's strong automotive supplier base to optimize logistics costs and enhance the supply chain, which is expected to promote regional and national job growth [14] Project Timeline and Challenges - Rivian initially announced the Georgia factory project post-IPO in late 2021, with original plans for construction to start in 2022 and production by 2024, backed by $5 billion investment and $1.5 billion in state incentives [7][8] - The project faced delays due to local opposition and supply chain issues, leading Rivian to prioritize expansion at its Illinois factory instead [8] - The timeline for the Georgia project was pushed back, with the company announcing the delay in 2024 during the unveiling of the R2 SUV and R3 hatchback [8] Government Engagement - Rivian's CEO RJ Scaringe met with Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp in May to discuss ongoing work and project updates, indicating a strong partnership with the state [4] - The company is coordinating with the state's economic development department to identify existing suppliers in the region that can support the factory's operations [13][14]