Rivian gets $16 million from Illinois to build new supplier park

Rivian is receiving $16 million in state incentives to help construct a new 1.2 million-square foot supplier park near its EV manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois, according to Illinois Governer JB Pritzker and Rivian, who both made official announcements today. As part of the deal, Rivian will invest nearly $120 million towards the project, which is expected to directly create about 100 new jobs. In a press release, Pritzker says Rivian’s investment in the new facility will create “an entire ecosystem” that will help attract global investment and create jobs, as well as “strengthening the EV manufacturing supply chain.”

Rivian says the supplier park is already under construction and is scheduled to be completed in 2026. It will feature an underground tunnel that connects it with the main plant so parts can easily be transferred without increasing traffic in the area. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe says the park will be a “key enabler” in the production of its upcoming R2 vehicle. Scaringe today shared an image of the new Maximus drive unit on Instagram that will be used in the two-row electric SUV, which is slated for next year.

Scaringe also says the supplier park will help increase production capacity for its current R1T and R1S vehicles, as well as its commercial vans, which are now available for sale to all commercial businesses.