Rivian, Brandt worthy of continued tax breaks, local taxing body says

Posted on April 28, 2021

NORMAL – A local taxing body is reaffirming its commitment offering tax breaks for two businesses in return for creating hundreds of new jobs.

The Heartland Community College Board of Trustees on Tuesday night determined Rivian Automotive and Canadian agricultural equipment maker Brandt Industries have met all of the agreed to benchmarks for hiring and plant investment to receive another year of tax incentives.

Rivian pledged it would create at least 500 full-time jobs by the end of this year. Last month, the electric vehicle maker said 890 people were working full-time at the plant in Normal, and it is planning to have a work force of about 2,700 people by next year.

Rivian qualifies for its entire 2020 property tax bill to be abated, while Brandt gets a 50% abatement on its plant property and 100% for adjacent property it owns near I-39, north of Normal.

Brandt is said to have exceeded the goal of creating 100 full-time jobs that makes it eligible to receive tax incentives.

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