Rivian has thus far proven to be a wise investment by Ford, which acquired a considerable stake in the upstart EV automaker that it plans on keeping, even after the initial run following Rivian’s IPO inevitably came to an end. Meanwhile, as it continues to churn out few actual vehicles from its Normal, Illinois-based plant, a new Rivian plant is in the works for the state of Georgia, which the automaker announced late last year. However, that proposed $5 billion dollar site east of Atlanta has faced some local opposition, which prompted the state to step in and take over that process, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Local residents have expressed concern over the proposed site and formed a legal fund to challenge its construction, though state officials and environmental groups have praised the Rivian plant, with Governor Brian Kemp referring to it as “the largest economic development project in state history.” Local elected officials in the towns of Social Circle and Rutledge were scheduled to vote on the rezoning of 2,000 rural acres for industrial use next month, but now, the state of Georgia has assumed control and withdrawn rezoning applications in an effort to bypass local zoning laws.
Currently, it’s unclear how the Rivian plant site will be transferred to the state, if Georgia must buy the site or can simply accept it as a gift, nor whether any local authorities will need to hold a public vote to approve it. Regardless, Rivian supports the move, which it sees as necessary due to its sheer scope and infrastructure requirements. “For us to be successful in Georgia, it’s important that we spend time listening to local concerns, addressing them as best we can,” said Rivian spokesperson Peebles Squire.
Meanwhile, Ford hasn’t faced the same sort of opposition in its efforts to construct Blue Oval City – a sprawling complex that will produce electric vehicles and batteries – in the states of Tennessee and Kentucky. The automaker has already gained approval for a massive incentive package that will require it to create a little over 5,000 much-needed full-time permanent jobs in the economically-depressed area, as well as many more temporary jobs for construction workers and contractors.
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Comments
Bad move Illinois.
Stupid decision for that state to lose the jobs.
I want to see more proof that building electric vehicles and the batteries to power them is more environmentally friendly than ICE vehicle production not to mention how to dispose of or recycle those dead batteries. I also want to know where the electricity to charge all those batteries is going to come from and how environmentally friendly is it going to be to produce that electricity. Are we really making anything better or is it just different?
I tell you what, It’s to see that some people are starting to say the same things. I have been spouting off about all these things that have been brought up since the first EV hit the road. How are we going to provide all the electricity to charge these things? Nuclear? AM I right or am I right? So how’s that going to sit with these enviorMENTALists? One thing I see happening is since these things weight much more than ICE vehicle, how well are the roads built to handle that additional weight? Me see into the crystal ball and see a great disaster coming. Battery disposal? Nothing good is going to come from this. Mark my words.
EV naysayers don’t know what they’re talking about. FACT: 80% of EV charging is done at the owner’s home, either during the day using solar or overnight at the utilities’ lowest time of use rate, when demand is low and electricity is plentiful. Public chargers are needed only to accommodate those on road trips or who don’t have access to a home charger because they live in multi family dwellings or must park on the street. Many employers now are providing EV chargers, often solar powered. We’ve owned an EV for five years and never have charged it at a public station. We charge ours at home, our mountain cabin (which is within range when fully charged), and occasionally at our children’s home — they also have EVs as well as solar systems.
Send it to Tifton, the other Georgia,we are very tired of the State of Atlanta getting everything
oh our communities would LOVE for y’all down south to take Rivian! if it were within our power, we’d give them to you. we do NOT want nor do we need Rivian in our community. but this was all kept secret (which should be illegal) by the people we elected to represent us. needless to say, they are all on our “short list”
Our local town, where this MASSIVE plant is going, is a rural area with many farms, and is not economically depressed. Our comprehensive plan for our community reflects that and the people of our community’s desire to keep it that way. When we heard what was coming, (sprung on us without ANY community input) and rallied in opposition, the state made a heavy handed move and came in and took the project over. I have no ill feelings towards Rivian as a company, a stock, or their vehicles, but our community has major concerns, particularly water contamination as we are mostly on wells and this plant will be on the largest ground water recharge area for 100 miles. There is a site in Savannah already purchased, zoned, and ready to go, but instead they’re intent on forcing this into our rural community where they, nor anything of this magnitude, are not wanted or needed. And, Governor Kemp has left us high and dry as to community input or local resources to stop it.
I moved to the sleepy little town of Social Circle in 2010 to get away from the rat race of South Fulton County where I worked at that time. I love this area and everything about it. It has grown a lot since I arrived. If Rivian is allowed to built, just minutes from where I reside, I will be forced to find somewhere else to move to. I do not want to go back to the traffic, crime, buildings, people, etc. These are all the reasons I chose to move to begin with. Please do not allow this to happen! We are hard working, citizens who enjoy our rural agricultural living and do not wish to see it destroyed. Please built Rivian where there is already lots of industry. It will ruin this area forever if this is allowed. I am begging the STATE OF GEORGIA to STOP and think about the impact this monstrosity will have on the area. Also, please remember, if you are an elected official, who elected you. Thank you for your time.
No2Rivian.org
We want suitable & sustainable development to the area. Rivian is neither. Give us successful, established companies, not an overzealous, amateur company cashing checks written by the federal government & state that will tank before the assembly line is completed.