The city council of Fort Worth, Texas, is working to gain Rivian’s second manufacturing plant investment in the US, which could be worth $5 billion.  

Councillors discussed in a meeting on 10 August a proposed economic development program agreement with Rivian Automotive, Kallanish learns from the city’s economic department.   

Through a series of initiatives, the department seeks Fort Worth “to successfully compete on the national and international stage for creative, high-growth businesses and talented workforce.”

The proposal for Rivian is set to be for a 2,000-acre site west of the city, capable of producing around 200,000 EVs per year. The plant could create at least 7,500 jobs by 2027, offering workers a minimum pay of $56,000, according to a department’s presentation. To attract the automotive investment, the city council would provide grants and tax abatements of up to $440 million.

To be eligible for the tax abatement incentive, companies should be established in target industries, including transportation and innovation, as well as commit to a significant investment, creating high-wage jobs, the council states.

Rivian didn’t comment on the matter but said it’s in multiple discussions considering a number of locations as part of its competitive process for its domestic expansion, following its latest fundraising round. The company backed by Amazon, Ford and T Rowe Price, has raised $10.5 billion since 2019.

Reports suggest Mesa, Arizona, remains Rivian’s preferred location for the new factory. Additionally, the company is also rumoured to be in discussions for an overseas plant in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.