U.S. Breaks Ground on Rare Earth Metals Facility

USA Rare Earth broke ground on a $1.2 billion facility in Blacksburg, South Carolina, to build rare earth metals and magnets.

Right now, the United States obtains these materials from outside the country. Building this new facility will help get these materials domestically. Rare earth magnets are needed in almost all advanced technologies, from defense systems and aerospace to semiconductors and physical AI.

“A secure rare earth supply chain isn’t built with a single mine or a single factory,” Gregory Bowman, the company’s Chief Global Policy Officer, explained. “It requires rebuilding every link. Blacksburg adds critical manufacturing capacity to that broader platform and brings the United States closer to producing more of the materials and magnets our industries depend on outside of Chinese control. What starts with a groundbreaking here in South Carolina ultimately strengthens America’s industrial and national security.”

A Domestic Supply of Rare Earth Metals

The new site sits on 124 acres and will cover about 800,000 square feet. Once it’s up and running in 2028, the goal is to produce thousands of metric tons of metal and magnets every year.

Additionally, the project should create roughly 490 well-paying manufacturing jobs. The company is also giving $250,000 to Spartanburg Community College to support a new training center.

“Breaking ground in Blacksburg is an important moment because it moves our vision from plans on paper to infrastructure taking shape,” USA Rare Earth CEO Barbara Humpton added. “We’re building the capabilities America needs to make critical rare earth materials and magnets at home, while making a long-term investment in the people and communities that will help us do it. We’re proud that the next chapter of USA Rare Earth’s growth is being built here in South Carolina.”

Combined with their other plant in Oklahoma, the company plans to eventually produce 10,000 metric tons of magnets annually.