USA Rare Earth, Inc. selects Cherokee County for first South Carolina operation
June 2, 2026
Approximately $1.2 billion investment will create about 490 new jobs
USA Rare Earth, Inc. (USA Rare Earth), a global leader in rare earths, critical minerals and advanced materials, announced it has selected Cherokee County for its first South Carolina operation. The total investment for the project of approximately $1.2 billion will create about 490 new jobs in the state.
With operations in Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as a planned acquisition of a major rare earth mine in Brazil, USA Rare Earth is building a global rare earth and permanent magnet value chain to serve advanced manufacturing for both commercial and defense technologies supporting the U.S. and its allies.
“Cherokee County is the next critical link in the rare earth and magnet value chain we’re building across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and around the globe. South Carolina offered the workforce, the infrastructure and the partners we needed to move quickly. With this investment, we’re bringing home the advanced manufacturing capabilities that America and its allies depend on, from the factory floor to the front lines,” said USA Rare Earth CEO Barbara Humpton.
The new facility, which will be located at Bailey Park in Blacksburg, will produce neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) permanent magnets and refined rare earth metals. This South Carolina advanced manufacturing campus will perform many critical functions including electrolysis, metallothermic reduction, strip casting, jet milling, dry pressing, sintering, heat treatment, machining and coating.
Operations are expected to be online in April 2028.
Individuals interested in joining the USA Rare Earth team should visit the company’s careers page.
About S.C. Commerce
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) works to recruit and support companies of all sizes in their quest to launch, expand and build a legacy. With proactive, strategic initiatives that help the agency create economic opportunities to increase choices for all South Carolinians, S.C. Commerce champions new and existing businesses and partnerships that fuel emerging and established industries alike. S.C. Commerce is the principal collaborator for SC NEXUS, a consortium of state leaders in government, utilities, higher education and other stakeholders exploring advanced energy. Recognized for its pro-business climate and policies that have attracted global brands and industry leaders, South Carolina is committed to maintaining the state’s long-term competitiveness while building a modern economy — one that is diverse, supporting businesses at every phase of their lifecycle — allowing people to live and work where they love. For more information, visit sccommerce.com.
