Rivian plans largest expansion so far at plant in Normal

Posted on October 29, 2021

NORMAL – Rivian is planning its biggest expansion to date at its electric vehicle factory in northwest Normal, but it’s not clear what the company wants to do with all of the extra space.

Rivian filed plans with Normal’s town government requesting approval of an amended site plan for a 623,000 square foot addition, which would be built along the western side of the local plant.

A report from Normal’s town staff said the expansion would increase the total size of the facility to about 3.9 million square feet.

Last spring, the town approved Rivian’s plans for two smaller building additions that the company said at the time would be used for light manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing.

Several building additions totaling about 576,000 square feet won council approval in July 2020, the staff’s report said.

HOI ABC reached out to Rivian and Normal Mayor Chris Koos for details about Rivian’s latest plans.

A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for next Thursday before the Normal Planning Commission. The town council would give final approval to Rivian’s amended site plan.

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