ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp addressed the construction pause on Georgia's Rivian plant for the first time on Tuesday.
Kemp reiterated that Rivian remains under contract obligations with Georgia.
"We honor our commitments in our state, and we're going to do that in regards to the site, and we're expecting the company to honor their commitments as well," Kemp said.
However, he did call the delay "disappointing."
"It's disappointing, but I understand the business case that they made by doing what they're doing. I don't necessarily like that, but I understand it," Kemp said.
Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson previously said Rivian could legally keep the project paused until December 2030.
Last week, Rivian also unveiled its R2 and R3 models, its new midsize SUVs and crossovers.
"They're dealing with market forces and trying to get R2 and R3 to the market quicker than they would have been able to do by building the plant," Kemp said. "It looks to me that they had good reaction from that rollout last Thursday."
Gov. Kemp said Rivian's long-term plan includes the Georgia plant.
"They cannot make enough vehicles in Normal, Illinois to get the company where they want to be," he said. "They are committed to Georgia, and we're committed to them. But this is one of the best mega sites in the country."
You can watch the governor's remarks in the video below:
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