Rivian will expand its manufacturing operations with a second U.S. plant in Georgia, the company announced Dec. 16.

A carbon-conscious campus is planned east of Atlanta, in Morgan and Walton counties which represents a $5-billion site development and manufacturing investment, according to a Rivian news release.

The plant, which will eventually employ more than 7,500 workers, represents a key next step as Rivian scales toward higher-capacity production for future vehicles. Once ramped, the Georgia facility will be abe to produce up to 400,000 vehicles per year. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2022, and production is slated to start in 2024. Site considerations included logistics, environmental impact, renewable energy production, availability and quality of talent and fit with Rivian company culture.

“The new manufacturing site will build our next generation of products that are important for scaling our business," said Rivian chief people officer Helen Russell in the release. "Our work together is driven by a compelling purpose and rooted in building a highly collaborative environment that creates a true sense of belonging.”

Rivian’s almost 2,000-acre parcel will include abundant natural space. As with its facility in Normal, Rivian will develop community engagement and workforce training programs in the area.

Rivian is also scaling its capacity at its existing plant in Normal, Illinois. Rivian’s Normal plant was recently approved for a 623,000-square-foot expansion, which will bring the total footprint of the Normal plant to about 4 million square feet, with further plans to extend warehouse, storage, and production capacity onsite. Rivian’s hiring in Normal is scaling rapidly, with plans to hire an additional 800-1,000 employees by the second quarter of 2022.

Rivian and Georgia are planning 2022 town hall events near the manufacturing site so that area residents can learn more about the company and the site plan.