Rare Earth Metals Company Plans South Carolina Manufacturing Plant

Why it matters locally: The Cherokee County facility will bring approximately 490 high-wage manufacturing jobs to South Carolina and represents a significant expansion of domestic rare earth metals production capacity, addressing national supply chain priorities in defense and clean energy sectors.

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USA Rare Earth selected Cherokee County in Blacksburg, South Carolina as the site for a new manufacturing facility focused on rare earth metals and magnets. The company projects the facility will employ around 490 workers in high-skill, high-wage manufacturing positions. The operation will expand USA Rare Earth's existing supply chain, connecting mining operations to magnet production under one company structure. The announcement comes as the rare earth metals sector faces continued demand in industries including defense, electronics and renewable energy. Rare earth elements are used in permanent magnets, which power electric vehicle motors, wind turbines and military applications. USA Rare Earth has not disclosed specific details about the facility's construction timeline, capital investment or production capacity. Cherokee County economic development officials did not immediately provide comment on incentives or agreements related to the project. The selection of South Carolina reflects broader trends among manufacturers seeking sites with available land, existing industrial infrastructure and access to workforce training programs. The state has invested in manufacturing recruitment across several sectors in recent years. Rare earth metal production and processing remain concentrated in foreign markets, particularly China. Domestic manufacturers have sought to increase U.S. capacity to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities and meet growing demand from American industries.