RUTLEDGE, Ga. — Rivian’s resumption of its auto assembly plant in Walton and Morgan counties is getting mixed reviews locally. The state has backed the project with incentives worth more than a billion dollars.
Now, the electric truck maker says it’s getting a loan from the federal government to complete the plant.
It has been the unusual economic development story where a project promises seven thousand new jobs and yet a surprising number of people don’t want it.
"Yeah. I’m not happy about it one bit," said Eddie Clay on Tuesday. He has been happy to let passersby know about his opposition to the Rivian plant, with a giant sign on the edge of his property.
When bulldozers started churning up earth across the road to clear the site for the electric truck assembly plant, Clay’s well water started turning brown, and he said it’s still that way.
"I’m frustrated with the water in my house, the well," he said -- pausing for a large construction truck to rumble past. "And then, of course, we have that. They’re not even supposed to be on this road."
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But the Rivian project has powerful backers. Governor Brian Kemp OK’d the state incentives to lure the upscale automaker to Morgan County. When Rivian backed out earlier this year, state officials expressed hope it was only temporary.
"It’s hard to say, but I am hopeful because it’s a great product," economic development commissioner Pat Wilson told state senators March 11 after Rivian paused the project.
"At this point in time, I have very little confidence that Rivian will be back. And I am extremely hopeful that I’m wrong," state Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cahaula) said the same day.
Rivian said it’ll be back with the help of billions in federal loans to build the plant.
Some residents nearby find the federal backing to be misplaced.
"Seven billion dollars," mused Alan Jenkins, who also lives nearby. "Why are we spending it all for a select few to be able to afford to drive these expensive cars?"
The state-created Joint Development Authority, which oversees the local permitting for the project, held a regular meeting Tuesday near the project site. Several residents complained about the Rivian project during the public comment section. JDA chairman Jerry Silvio, a supporter of the project, declined comment.