USA Rare Earth Plans Blacksburg, South Carolina, Production Operations

Area Development News Desk

06/08/2026

Rare earth materials manufacturer USA Rare Earth plans to establish operations in Blacksburg, South Carolina. The $1.2 billion project is expected to create approximately 490 jobs in Cherokee County.

The investment will include the construction of a new manufacturing facility at Bailey Park that will produce neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets and refined rare earth metals. Production is scheduled to begin in April 2028.

“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,” said Barbara Humpton, CEO of USA Rare Earth. “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.”

To support the project, the South Carolina Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits.

“USA Rare Earth’s approximately $1.2 billion investment in Cherokee County reflects the state’s strong capabilities in advanced manufacturing and innovation technologies,” noted South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. “The company’s new operation in the Upstate will contribute to South Carolina’s position as a leader in critical sectors.”

USA Rare Earth specializes in mining, processing, and manufacturing of rare earth materials and related products for industrial and technology applications. The company’s operations include rare earth resource development, magnet production, and supply chain activities supporting domestic manufacturing.

“Duke Energy is proud to help bring USA Rare Earth to Cherokee County and strengthen America’s domestic rare earth supply chain,” added Tim Pearson, President of Duke Energy South Carolina. “Through our close collaboration with state and local economic development partners, we worked to position this site with the upfront diligence, coordination and energy planning that companies need to move with confidence and speed.”

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