State to set up committees to focus on Rivian project

The Georgia Department of Economic Development is setting up a quartet of committees it says will work with the public in Morgan and Walton counties to share information about plans for the Rivian automobile manufacturing facility that is slated to begin manufacturing electric vehicles in 2014. There has been community opposition to the proposal and complaints about a lack of transparency for the project that is expected to employ upwards of 75 hundred workers.

From the Ga Dept of Economic Development…

The Georgia Department of Economic Development today shared the creation of four committees to ensure public input into a variety of factors involved in the planning stages of the carbon-conscious campus for the 7,500-job Rivian project at Stanton Springs North. Local and state committee members represent a wide cross-section of all four Joint Development Authority (JDA) counties, and volunteered or agreed to serve in this capacity. Meetings are being planned for each of the committees within the Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton county area for ease of planning and public input.

As outlined in GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson’s February 21 letter related to implementation of the Rivian project in agreement with the Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton Counties (JDA), committees will focus on four areas: Workforce Development; Local Business Engagement; Site Design and Environmental; and Quality of Life, which contains subgroups covering Civic Engagement, Public Benefits, and Land Conservation. Committee members were chosen with input from both local and state officials to ensure a diversity of location and based on relevant positions related to their committees. They will be staffed by relevant State departments with appropriate subject matter and technical expertise and will be assisted by a combination of private and public sector representation. Meetings will be public, with appropriate advance public notice given.

“Rivian selected Stanton Springs North for a variety of reasons, including its distinctive beauty and the region’s welcoming environment. We will work with the JDA and the local community as Rivian continues to go above and beyond in becoming part of the fabric of the community before even one shovel goes in the ground,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “The four committees announced today provide diverse representation from across communities in the four counties that will each be directly impacted by this generational project. Many thanks to the representatives who will serve as part of this process to help ensure that local considerations and community voices are heard as Rivian begins to build its new Georgia home.”

In response to a February 18, 2022, letter from the JDA of Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton Counties, GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson issued a response letter and a statement sharing that the State of Georgia would take leadership in the Rivian project, working collectively with all four counties to ensure a unified and streamlined approach to project development to ensure consistent, uniform conditions across the site. This committee system will ensure direct coordination of considerations from across multiple jurisdictions and land parcels, and the public feedback process will allow all communities to have a voice across the decision-making process. The state has committed to continuously work with city and county governments to ensure that every concern is heard, and every question is answered.

“Thanks to the work of this community over the years, Rivian recognized Georgia and Stanton Springs North as the ideal place to create 7,500 American manufacturing jobs. This generational opportunity will bring our community better wages and better jobs that will lead to a stronger tax base to support investment in schools, roads, and the local economy,” said Jerry Silvio, Chairman, JDA. “We look forward to partnering with the State and these committees to ensure the best interests of our community and natural environment are incorporated into the plans for this project. While there is much work to be done, our priority is to bring the community together and unite around the benefits of building American-made, electric cars in Georgia.”

The State of Georgia has also agreed to ensure that this project follows locally required standards pertaining to water quality, groundwater recharge and runoff, and all local environmental ordinances. These requirements will be built into the overarching agreement between the State of Georgia, the JDA, and Rivian. Additionally, conserving buffers, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation around the site is a high priority for local partners and Rivian. GDEcD is ready and willing to partner with local conservation organizations and area elected officials in pursuing this goal.

Information regarding the dates and location of meetings will be available at: www.georgia.org/rivian, along with committee assignments. Each committee will have a designated official staff lead coordinator and assistants, named below, along with a representative from Rivian participating. After final meetings conclude, recommendations will be developed by the committees and reported to the State of Georgia and Rivian.

Announced in December 2021, the Stanton Springs North-located Rivian project will bring at least 7,500 well-paying direct new jobs and $5 billion capital investment, the construction of a new Technical College training center, and the creation of a new interchange on I-20.

Workforce Development Committee:

Mission Statement: To meet current and future workforce needs for Rivian and other existing industries as well as for future prospects within the region. To effectively plan for future workforce growth and demand and address key issues like wages, in-demand careers, and industry trends with input from the private sector. To coordinate with K-12 systems, the University System of Georgia, and the Technical College System of Georgia to identify necessary training programs are in place and a sufficient pipeline of future workers will exist to meet industry needs.

Staff lead: Mark Peavy, Assistant Commissioner, Secondary Education Initiatives, Technical College System of Georgia

Assistant: Asher Dozier, Vice President of Economic Development, Newton County Industrial Development Authority

Local Business Engagement Committee:

Mission Statement: To identify and engage local businesses with the opportunity to provide goods and services from Rivian and its suppliers. Such opportunities include those provided directly from Rivian, as well as indirect opportunities resulting from Rivian’s location (i.e. suppliers, indirect demands like housing and retail).

Staff lead: Hank Evans, Director, Project Implementation and Corporate Development, Georgia Department of Economic Development

Assistant: Naceo Denney, Area Manager, Georgia Power

Site Design and Environmental Committee:

Mission Statement: To have subject matter experts provide feedback to ensure that Rivian’s site and operation meets requisite State, Federal, and local ordinances to protect the environment and communities. To provide feedback on site design such that design and operation maximize positive impacts on the community and minimize any negative impacts.

Staff lead: John Eunice, Deputy Director, Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Assistant: Charna Parker, Director, Walton County Planning and Development

Quality of Life Committee:

Mission Statement: To identify opportunities for Rivian to participate in local civic engagement and other public benefits that will positively impact the local communities. To identify opportunities locally and across the State of Georgia for land conservation initiatives.

Subcommittees: Civic Engagement, Public Benefits, Land Conservation

Staff lead: Rusty Haygood, Deputy Commissioner, Community Development & Finance, Georgia Department of Community Affairs

Civic Engagement Assistant: Kristen Miller, Senior Regional Director, Georgia Department of Economic Development

Public Benefits Assistant: Beth Eavenson, Regional Representative, Georgia Department of Community Affairs Land Conservation Assistant: Rope Roberts, Northeast Region Economic Development Manager, Georgia Power

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