Rivian received near-unanimous approval from the Normal, IL, Town Council on Aug. 19 to significantly expand its factory in the city. The decision will allow Rivian to add approximately 1.3 million square feet to its existing facility, as the company gears up to produce its next-generation R2 EV platform.
The expansion will include the construction of a 1.14 million-square-foot building and an additional 208,000-square-foot facility, both situated near the current plant's southeast corner. In addition, the project will feature two new parking lots, providing approximately 1,600 spaces for employees.
The council also lifted previous height restrictions for the M-2 manufacturing facility, enabling Rivian to build a 64-foot conveyor system, surpassing the former zoning limit of 45 feet. However, before construction can begin, local authorities must still assess water runoff and traffic impacts.
Originally, Rivian planned to produce the R2 platform at a new factory in Georgia. However, the company shifted plans to the Normal plant to expedite production, a decision that coincided with receiving an $827 million incentive package from the state of Illinois.
Additionally, Rivian has secured a $5 billion investment from Volkswagen, with the two automakers forming a joint venture focused on software and EV production.
