Rivian Automotive is in discussions to purchase the vacant 2.4 million square foot Mitsubishi Motors plant in Normal.
The announcement came today/yesterday from a trio of agencies including the Bloomington Normal Economic Development Council and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Rivian is an automotive technology company founded in 2009 with the mission of advancing sustainable mobility. It currently has operations in the Greater Detroit and San Francisco Bay areas.
Rivian is reportedly looking at the Mitsubishi plant in part for the region's workforce and automotive supply base that will help with production efforts. Rivian is planning to add 500 jobs by 2021 and be at full-production by 2024 with 1000 employees.
There is no word on the cost of the auto manufacturing site. Ravian is expected to be engaged in a number of public meetings with area taxing bodies through the end of the year.
The Mitsubishi plant closed early this year and was purchased by Maynards with the plan to place it up for auction.