Georgia

Dozens express worries about transparency, environmental impact over Rivian project

By Richard Elliot, WSB-TV
By Richard Elliot, WSB-TV

MORGAN COUNTY, Ga. — Dozens of people crowded into what is usually a sparsely attended meeting of the Joint Development Authority of Newton, Walton, Morgan and Jasper counties to express their anger over the planned site of the massive $5 billion Rivian Electric Vehicle Plant.

Gov. Brian Kemp announced the project at a big State Capitol ceremony last month.

The Rivian project would be the single largest economic development project in Georgia, covering some 2,000 acres in three east Georgia counties and bringing in between 7,500 and 10,000 new jobs.

But residents around the site worry about issues like transparency and environmental impact. And they worry about how such a massive project will transform their rural communities.

“I’m so disappointed,” said Miriam Shatterly of Morgan County. “I have lost all trust in our Morgan County people that have brought this or are trying to bring this to our area, and it is beyond disgusting what y’all want to do.”

Some residents said a lack of transparency worries them moving forward.

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“We’re here talking to a gray wall,” said Ricky Haynes of Morgan County. “We don’t feel like we’re getting answers from any of you folks, OK? The lack of transparency in this thing, you should all be ashamed of yourselves. It’s really bad.”

Debbie Crowe and many others wanted more answers about the environmental impact the project could have on the area, since many of them get their drinking water from wells.

“My son-in law, my daughter, they can’t afford to have their well tested every month to make sure that it’s still safe water for them to drink,” Crowe asked. “Who’s going to pay for that?”

Back in December, Channel 2 Action News sat down with Gov. Brian Kemp to ask him about the project.

He called it transformational and said it would be a huge economic boon to the state of Georgia, even with the tax and other incentives it gave up to attract Rivian.

“We weren’t front runners,” Kemp said. “But I think the reason the company chose us is because of our work force, and we really sold them on this site. Just tremendous opportunity for great paying jobs with an innovative company. It’s going to be like Kia transformed West Point and the SK Innovation really transformed Commerce and Jackson County.”

Construction on the site could begin this summer. Rivian could roll out its first electric vehicles in 2024.

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