Rivian has broken ground on its new manufacturing site outside Social Circle, Georgia, joined by Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, House Speaker Jon Burns, and other state and local officials.

The plant is expected to create 7,500 jobs by 2030 and 2,000 construction jobs during development. An additional 8,000 indirect jobs are projected, generating more than $1 billion in annual labor income across Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton Counties, according to an IMPLAN analysis.

“This facility will support our global expansion and provide the scale necessary to bring future drivers into electric vehicles,” said RJ Scaringe, Rivian founder and CEO.

Governor Kemp called the project “another milestone in bringing quality, good-paying jobs to Georgians.”

Production Timeline

The first phase of construction is slated to begin in 2026, with vehicle production expected to start in 2028. When fully built, the facility is projected to produce up to 400,000 vehicles annually, including Rivian’s next-generation R2 SUV and R3 crossover.

Speaker Jon Burns said the plant will “lay the foundation for billions in long-term economic benefits across our state.”

Community and Environmental Considerations

Rivian is partnering with universities, technical colleges, and local institutions to prepare the workforce. The nearly 2,000-acre site will incorporate modern construction practices, environmental protections, and recreational amenities, including trails for employees and visitors.

“The Rivian project is exactly the kind of opportunity the JDA envisioned 25 years ago: high-tech, good-paying jobs in the communities we call home,” said Jerry Silvio, chairman of the Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Morgan, Newton & Walton Counties.

Community Engagement

Ahead of the groundbreaking, Rivian hosted a community event on September 14 that welcomed nearly 1,000 residents with local vendors, entertainment, and family activities at the Stanton Springs site.