Electric truck startup Rivian is looking to expand its manufacturing plant in downstate Normal as the company works to bring its vehicles to market.
In a zoning map amendment and other site documents recently filed with the Town of Normal, Rivian is preparing to add up to 10.6 million square feet to its manufacturing plant, which sits on a 503-acre site at 100 N. Rivian Mtwy.
The plans also include adding 1.5 million square feet of space for logistics and parking, according to rezoning documents. The new space would be built on a 380-acre site, which would be rezoned to manufacturing land from its current agricultural classification. Rivian's proposal now needs to be reviewed and approved by Normal’s Planning Commission.
Rivian, which makes electric vehicles that can deliver up to 400 miles of range, purchased the Normal plant from Mitsubishi for $16 million in 2017 and now has more than 700 people working at the site. Rivian will receive more than $49 million in Illinois state tax credits over 15 years if it hits certain hiring targets. The company also has development centers in Plymouth, Michigan; San Jose, California; Irvine, California; and Surrey, England.
In addition to expanding its footprint in Normal, Rivian is opening a showroom in Chicago’s Fulton Market neighborhood at 932 W. Randolph St. as part of a plan to open 10 showrooms across the country. It is unclear exactly when the Chicago showroom will open.
In January, Rivian raised $2.65 billion in a round led by T. Rowe Price. The new funding reportedly values Rivian at more than $27 billion.
Rivian has a deal with Amazon to provide 100,000 delivery trucks to the e-commerce company. Amazon is an investor in Rivian, leading a $700 million funding round for the company in 2019.
