Rising costs had previously halted work on the electric vehicle manufacturer’s plant, but construction is expected to begin in 2026 near Atlanta.

The Department of Energy recently announced a $6.57 billion loan to Rivian, which will help resume construction of the company’s electric vehicle manufacturing facility near Social Circle, Georgia, a project that had been paused due to high costs. The plant, which will span 9 million square feet, is expected to create 2,000 full-time jobs during construction.

Construction was paused in spring 2024 due to rising costs, although Rivian maintained its commitment to the project. At the time, the company noted that Clayco, the Chicago-based general contractor, would still have a “presence” at the site while continuing some limited development activities.

Rivian now anticipates construction will resume in 2026, with production of its R2 SUVs and R3 crossover vehicles slated to begin in 2028. The company has also started recruiting for construction and management roles and plans to increase hiring across Georgia.

The $6.57 billion loan, which includes $5.975 billion in principal and $592 million in capitalized interest, will be allocated in two phases for the Georgia facility.

This loan reflects former President Joe Biden’s renewable energy-focused agenda, though future changes under the new administration could impact the project’s trajectory. Under President Donald Trump, some renewable energy projects, including electric vehicle initiatives, faced limitations, which could potentially affect the plant's construction timeline.