By Heart of Illinois ABC
NORMAL – Rivian Automotive is looking to significantly expand its footprint at its plant in west Normal, while adding hundreds of workers to produce electric vehicles.
This week, Rivian filed with the town government an amended site plan and rezoning request for expansion just west of the current plant on Rivian Motorway, also known as Route 150.
The new development includes adding up to 10.6 million square feet of building space and 1.5 million square feet for logistics and parking on a 380 acre parcel.
The current site is 503 acres, with 9.6 million square feet of building space and 7.7 million square feet for logistics and parking.
The revised site plan and rezoning request goes before the Normal Planning Commission next month.
“This amendment allows us to think more deeply about our site’s evolution over the next few years,” said Zach Dietmeier, Rivian’s plant communications and police manager.
“We’re planning for on-site service and training facilities, vehicle pick-up and delivery logistics, and a new test track. All of these programs will draw more visitors to the community and to our site, and this is the starting point for those designs,” Dietmeier said in a prepared statement.
The company is not providing a cost estimate on the additions, and there’s no change in Rivian’s timetable to produce electric powered pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and Amazon delivery vans.
According to Dietmeier, there are 890 full-time employees at Rivian’s plant in Normal, with plans for a workforce of about 2,700 people by next year.
Rivian set up shop at the shuttered Mitsubishi Motors factory with the help of tax breaks and other financial incentives.
“Our growth would not be possible without the local community’s belief in and contribution to our vision,” said Dietmeier.
“We are extremely grateful for Mayor (Chris) Koos’ and the (town) council’s leadership and support for Rivian from the beginning,” Dietmeier also said.
Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at News@WJBC.com.
