Rivian breaks ground on $5B Georgia factory ahead of construction in 2026

Rivian has officially broken ground on its planned $5 billion electric vehicle factory near Atlanta, Georgia, marking a significant milestone for the project. While the ceremonial event took place recently, full construction is slated to begin in early 2026, with vehicle production expected to start in 2028. The factory aims to produce up to 400,000 next-generation electric vehicles annually and is projected to create 7,500 permanent jobs, along with 2,000 construction jobs during the build phase. Additionally, an estimated 8,000 indirect jobs are expected through local suppliers and vendors. Currently, Rivian is focused on preparatory work such as installing utilities and building access roads. The Georgia factory project has faced delays and uncertainties since its announcement shortly after Rivian’s 2021 IPO. Initial plans to start construction in 2022 were postponed due to local opposition and pandemic-related supply chain issues. In 2024, Rivian temporarily prioritized expanding its Illinois factory to meet production timelines for