Georgia Offers Massive Incentive Package to EV Manufacturer

Critics question the wisdom of giving Georgia's largest-ever incentive package to electric car manufacturer Rivian to secure a new factory and job training center in East Atlanta.

1 minute read

December 30, 2021, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


In what is said to be the largest incentive package ever offered by the state, Georgia has put together a massive set of tax breaks, abatements, and infrastructure improvements to lure electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian to Atlanta. Among other perks, the package includes a "mega tax credit" of $5,250 per job created and financing for a Quick Start training and recruitment facility. The facility will be built at the East Atlanta Mega Site an hour east of the city, where plans are underway to widen roads in anticipation of increased traffic to the factory.

As reported by Greg Bluestein, the package, which will be formally released in a few weeks, has drawn criticism from some who want to see more transparency in how the state secures factories and other facilities. Georgia State University professor Dan Immergluck "cautioned that Georgia is making a substantial wager, too, on a firm that is still awash in red ink and facing production glitches and fierce competition." The state's economic development commissioner, Pat Wilson, expressed optimism, noting that "the tax credits typically include a clawback mechanism that allows Georgia to seek repayment if Rivian doesn’t substantially meet its promises," which include the creation of 7,500 local jobs.

Thursday, December 23, 2021 in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

2 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

3 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

4 hours ago - Cities Today