Rivian Georgia plant environmental integration and permits

Rivian secures Georgia air-quality permit and plans eco-friendly site with trails, highlighting environmental measures and community integration

Rivian has broken ground on its new Georgia manufacturing campus near Social Circle. The September 16, 2025 ceremony brought together Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, House Speaker Jon Burns, and local officials, marking a multi-billion investment aimed at scaling American EV production.

Phase one of construction is planned for 2026, with customer production targeted for 2028. The site will be built in two stages, each designed for up to 200,000 vehicles annually—up to 400,000 per year at full buildout. The plant is slated to produce the midsize, five-seat R2 SUV and the R3 crossover, with the stated goal of serving U.S. demand and supporting exports of American-made EVs.

The economic footprint is substantial. Rivian expects 7,500 direct jobs by 2030 and about 2,000 construction jobs. An IMPLAN analysis points to nearly 8,000 indirect jobs, totaling more than 15,000 positions and over $1 billion in annual labor income, benefiting suppliers and small businesses across Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton counties.

Environmental planning has been set in motion. The nearly 2,000-acre site is designed to integrate with the landscape and feature recreational trails, including a Rivian experience trail. Georgia’s environmental regulator issued an air-quality permit in August 2024, and the company says it will employ modern construction methods and advanced environmental management.

Workforce development is being built through partnerships with universities, technical colleges, and state institutions. Long-term execution is underpinned by the federal ATVM loan finalized in early 2025 for $6.6 billion, while state-level programs provide infrastructure and training support. On September 14, Rivian hosted a community event at the site, welcoming close to a thousand future neighbors.

Strategically, Georgia is the scale-up hub for the next generation of vehicles. Rivian is accelerating the initial R2 rollout via its expanded Normal, Illinois facility, with Georgia’s 2028 start intended to add volume and stability. On the day of the ceremony, investors responded with a modest share-price gain. The next markers to watch are the ramp-up of construction in 2026 and progress toward full capacity as both phases come online.