Business | Backed by state incentives, Rivian to invest…

Rivian’s decision to launch production of its second-generation electric vehicles in Normal, rather than Georgia, will bring $1.5 billion in capital investment and hundreds of jobs to its central Illinois factory, the automaker and Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday.

Backed by $827 million in state incentives, Rivian plans to expand its 4 million-square-foot auto plant and create more than 550 assembly jobs over five years to build the midsize R2 SUV, which is expected to begin rolling off the production line in 2026.

The majority of the incentives will come from state tax credits paid out over 30 years, if Rivian meets its investment and hiring obligations.

“They’re growing now and they had the opportunity to grow in Georgia or in Illinois,” Pritzker said during a news conference at the Rivian plant. “We wanted them to stay right here and create jobs here. That was why we put an incentive package together and made that offer to Rivian.”

In March, Rivian revealed the R2 and the smaller and sportier R3 crossover, springing the news that the R2, at least initially, will be made in Illinois, putting plans to build a $5 billion Georgia plant on hold.

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