Rivian Breaks Ground on Georgia Plant Creating 7,500 Jobs and Building R2 and R3

Rivian just took a big step forward in Georgia. On September 16, the company held a groundbreaking ceremony at its new manufacturing site outside Social Circle. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, Speaker of the House Jon Burns, and plenty of local leaders were there to help mark the occasion.

This is a huge deal for both Rivian and the state. The plant is expected to bring 7,500 permanent jobs by 2030 along with 2,000 construction jobs as it gets built. Once up and running, it’ll produce Rivian’s next-generation vehicles, including R2 and R3. Production is expected to start in 2028 after the first phase of construction begins in 2026. When fully built out, the site could crank out up to 400,000 vehicles a year.

Governor Kemp called it another big milestone for Georgia, saying it will deliver “quality, good-paying jobs” and create long-term benefits for families. The ripple effect will be big too, an IMPLAN study estimates nearly 8,000 indirect jobs will come from the project, meaning local suppliers, vendors, and small businesses will benefit as well. In total, more than 15,000 jobs connected to the project could generate over $1 billion in annual labor income across the region.

Rivian is also promising to make this plant more than just a factory. The nearly 2,000-acre site will feature recreation trails, a Rivian experience trail, and construction methods designed to integrate with the environment. The company is building partnerships with Georgia’s universities and technical colleges to train the workforce that will fill those 7,500 jobs.

Local leaders are excited too. Jerry Silvio from the Joint Development Authority said that every Rivian vehicle on Georgia roads will now be “a source of pride” for the community. Rivian even held a big community event ahead of the groundbreaking, bringing together nearly 1,000 people for food, entertainment, and a warm welcome to their future neighbors.