Rivian's Future Georgia Neighbors Aren't Thrilled

[Bobthebuilder352]

Oh, I get that underground power lines are a much higher investment upfront. Long term, the reduced maintenance costs help defray the initial costs. Clearly in rural areas underground power may not be feasible, though northern California would probably save $ on fire fighting if they put lines underground. Urban density in the US is not all that lower than in areas of Europe with underground power lines.

It is quite a bit less dense. Check even Wikipedia. Repairs on UG lines is more expensive than OHU’s. Not sure where you are getting your “facts.”

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[Zoidz]

Atlanta Journal Constitution - "Georgia’s proposed Rivian plant becomes GOP lightning rod"

Link to the Latest News Article

 

[Aardvark]

Atlanta Journal Constitution - "Georgia’s proposed Rivian plant becomes GOP lightning rod"

Link to the Latest News Article

I certainly hope that Rivian has a Plan B, and doesn't hesitate to pick up its toys and go find another sand box where it is welcome for the economic benefit it will bring to the local economy.
We would love to have you in Colorado, Rivian!

 

[Gavinmcc]

I certainly hope that Rivian has a Plan B, and doesn't hesitate to pick up its toys and go find another sand box where it is welcome for the economic benefit it will bring to the local economy.
We would love to have you in Colorado, Rivian!

Land is cheaper and better winter weather down here to the south of you
Rivian, We would love you here in New Mexico!

 

[Autolycus]

The people opposed to the plant are plenty vocal. The people for it aren’t.

 

[Fiahbag]

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/b...lant-sparks-fears-among-neighbors/9211266002/

We already know from our....visitors....that there is some local uproar about the plant.

I do wonder how much pushback there would be if it was Ford or GM building this facility instead of Rivian.

Yes. The locals don't want a car factory in their front yard. Growth is one thing. An industrial mega plex dropped in 5 yrs, is another subject. The JDA is who is driving this. And they aren't speaking to the locals.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

Yes. The locals don't want a car factory in their front yard. Growth is one thing. And industrial mega plex dropped in in 5 yrs, is another subject. The JDA si who is driving this. Andy they aren't speaking to the locals.

I appreciate your insight but my name is not Andy.

 

[Fiahbag]

Logically it makes sense.

Emotionally, giving up land that may have been in a family for generations is a bit of a tough sell.

Logically it is a huge win for the area. Sadly people do not function on logic.

The state isn't buying the land. The development authority is with tax payer money. Thats not the really the major issue here. Its the land itself. It's one of the largest of 3 major water recharge areas in the state, and the development authority wants to put 13 buildings right on top of it. And they have proposed this sunder the table without the locals knowing anything about it. The JDA operates in the gray area between the counties and the state. I highly recommend you keep a eye on yours if your county has one. The laws are written very specific to protect them. They are appointed members, not elected.

 

[Fiahbag]

I appreciate your insight but my name is not Andy.

slight of hand, my bad

 

[Fiahbag]

Not that anyone wants a giant factory in their backyard, but I would much rather have a Rivian plant vs an Amazon distribution center or other annoying giant buildings it might be instead.

They actually wouldn't mind that, because it would be 1/10th the size of what the joint development wants to build here. Its not about the end user, its about the size and the way this deal was put together by slight of hand.

 

[Fiahbag]

Just a warehouse that increases traffic count by hundreds of tractor trailers and trucks a day. In some cases, hundreds of vehicles an HOUR. This is an ongoing problem nationwide with Amazon warehouses. There's a huge Amazon warehouse complex (multiple buildings) about 20 miles from me. Crazy traffic problems. I'll take an environmentally aware auto manufacturer over another Amazon warehouse.

https://www.businessinsider.com/ama...wn-sees-truck-traffic-headaches-report-2021-7

https://legallysociable.com/2015/12...ic-generated-by-an-amazon-fulfillment-center/

https://www.nj.com/mercer/2015/12/amazons_mega_warehouse_gridlocks_traffic_in_nj_tow.html

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2021/07/29/traffic-concerns-put-warehouse-on-hold.html

https://www.recordnet.com/story/new...y-lives-more-truck-traffic-amazon/6454276001/

They would probably be fine with an amazon warehouse. It is 1/10th the size of this development.

 

[Fiahbag]

Craigins:

I agree it is sad for these people.
and I’m proud of them coming together.

But they will likely, right or wrong, fail.

So it would be great to use this new found unity and sense of purpose to, all together, find and build the place of their dreams.
They can build a new small community and make all the regulations they want.

sadly I doubt they will do this. It is easier to come together to fight something, to say no to change, than it is to come together and build something, to say yes to change.


Just imagine the effort and commitment needed to build a new town. The work would be extreme, but so could be the reward.

But it is much easier to come together for a week, a month, even a year to say no, we don’t want this.

still it is sad for the people who want the area to not change.

That's exactly what they did. And the JDA convinced the state to give them the money to buy the land and build an industrial park the size of the busiest airport in the world.

 

[Fiahbag]

Auto manufacturing, especially of EVs, provides more high skill jobs than an Amazon warehouse. It will be a benefit to local businesses, schools, and the local workforce.

What workforce? There are over 1000 job openings in a 50 mile radius that aren't being filled now. The only workforce they will have is what they bring with them. The schools are over crowded now, the local businesses don't want the development. They have a tax incentive plan that drops all their taxes in the community, the only money they will directly provide to the counties, is rent. And most of that will go into the JDA's pocket as the counties only receive a small percentage of that.

 

[Fiahbag]

As someone who spends a significant amount of time in Europe, the American overhead power lines seemso archaic and ugly. Makes US cities seem like cities in developing countries.

Nope. It wont cost them a dime. The state is using tax payer money to develop the land. another reason the locals aren't happy. If the power is underground, there is no easement money to be made. They run it over head, so that maintenance is required, because that allows more money to change hands. Power companies are not in the business of efficiency. at least not GA Power. They are in the business of making money.

 

[Fiahbag]

Lol. Sorry. I just find it entertaining to fight a manufacturing plant when bringing manufacturing back and removing regulations is the economic platform of the party the area overwhelmingly supports.

You haven't been following the story down there very well have you?

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