Image: @RivianUpdates
Rivian is finally set to break ground on its long-awaited second U.S. production facility, a massive $5 billion EV factory east of Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday, September 16. The 2,000-acre site, located across Walton and Morgan counties, is expected to become one of the largest economic development projects in Georgia’s history, with plans for 20 million square feet of developed space.
The new factory will serve as Rivian’s central hub for both vehicle production and innovation, housing a test track, training center, and research and design facilities. Once fully operational in 2028, the site is projected to build up to 200,000 electric vehicles annually. The plant will eventually produce Rivian’s upcoming R2 SUV, as well as the smaller R3 and R3X, aimed at bringing more affordable EVs to the company’s lineup.
Rivian has already started expanding its existing Illinois factory to accommodate initial R2 production, but the Georgia plant will take over in the coming years as the primary assembly site for Rivian’s next-generation vehicles. Around 7,500 jobs are expected to be created at the new facility once it is up and running.
On Sunday, Rivian hosted a community event at the site with food, live music, vehicle displays, and family activities, offering residents and employees a chance to celebrate the milestone (via @RivianUpdates). A more formal groundbreaking ceremony is slated for Tuesday, with Rivian executives, state officials, and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp set to attend.
The project has been in the works for over four years, with Rivian first announcing plans to build the plant back in December 2021. Despite delays and earlier setbacks, Rivian insists the Georgia facility reflects its long-term commitment to the state and the U.S. EV sector.
The automaker secured a $6.6 billion federal loan earlier this year to help finance construction, along with a $1.5 billion incentive package from Georgia, underscoring just how significant this project is for both Rivian and the region’s economy. Vertical construction is expected to begin in 2026, with the first customer-ready vehicles rolling out of the plant in 2028.
