Rivian restarting work on its Georgia factory, emails show

Rivian is set to resume preparatory work on its planned Georgia factory in August 2025, with vertical construction expected to begin in early 2026, according to emails obtained by TechCrunch. This move follows the Biden administration’s Department of Energy approval of a $6.6 billion loan to fund the project, part of the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program. As of June 2025, Rivian has invested over $80 million in the Georgia facility, which has created 46 full-time jobs so far. The company is also engaging with existing suppliers to explore co-location opportunities near the factory, aiming to support production of its upcoming R2 SUV and R3 hatchback models, targeted to launch in 2028. The Georgia factory project was initially delayed in favor of expanding Rivian’s Normal, Illinois plant, which received $827 million in incentives. The DOE loan was finalized shortly before President Biden’s second term, but faced scrutiny and spending freezes under the subsequent administration, creating uncertainty