Rivian is restarting prep work on its stalled Georgia factory this August with vertical construction kicking off early 2026, emails obtained by TechCrunch reveal.
The automaker has pumped over $80 million into the site by mid-2025, nearly doubling its investment since July 2024. So far, 46 full-time jobs have been created around the project.
Rivian is also scouting suppliers to co-locate near the factory. They’ve asked Georgia’s economic development folks for a list of existing suppliers to help build the upcoming R2 SUV and R3 hatchback, targeted to roll off the line in 2028. 
Rivian’s CEO RJ Scaringe met Governor Brian Kemp in late May for a “top priority” check-in on the project.
Peebles Squire, Rivian spokesperson, said this was a “regular check-in” and that the company is focused on maintaining “a strong partnership with the state.”
Peebles Squire stated:
“We discussed our ongoing work in Georgia and gave general project updates as well as discussed ways in which we can continue to have a strong partnership with the state.”
Rivian first announced the Georgia factory shortly after its IPO in 2021, planning to start production in 2024. The $5 billion project scored $1.5 billion in state incentives back in 2022 but faced local opposition and delays as Rivian prioritized expanding its Illinois factory amid supply chain issues.
In late 2024, Rivian secured a $6.6 billion loan from the Department of Energy under the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program — the same one that helped Tesla years ago.
The loan deal closed days before Donald Trump’s second term began, sparking pushback from Trump allies. Vivek Ramaswamy even pushed to claw back the loan.
Trump’s administration froze spending, holding up projects like Rivian’s. By February 2025, Governor Kemp admitted uncertainty about the loan’s status.
Peebles Squire added:
“Rivian continues to work with DOE and the administration to bring thousands of quality, good paying jobs back to the United States. Electric vehicles are a global strategic industry, and the U.S. should maintain its leadership role in new technologies.”
Rivian is now hiring staff for the Georgia factory buildout. They posted seven jobs in the last month, including a construction manager role.
The factory buildout is back on track — August prep, vertical construction in early 2026, production targeted 2028. The Georgia EV push is moving again.
