Phoenix Tailings Plans Rochester, New York, Rare Earth Mineral Separation Operations

Area Development News Desk

10/22/2026

Rare earth metals processing company Phoenix Tailings plans to establish operations in Rochester, New York. The $375 million project is expected to create at least 90 jobs in Monroe County.

The investment will include the construction of a 500,000-square-foot facility at Eastman Business Park that will process approximately 18,000 tons of rare earth materials annually.

“America and its allies cannot build the next generation of advanced manufacturing on a rare earth supply chain they do not control,” said Phoenix Tailings Co-Founder and CEO Nick Myers. “Phoenix Tailings is building an innovative, commercial-scale alternative designed to secure the Western supply chain for the rare earth metals that power modern industry, while setting a new standard for responsible production, with zero waste, zero direct process emissions and a safer process for the people who operate it. We are thankful to Governor Hochul and all of our economic development partners for their assistance in making this project happen.”

To support the project, Empire State Development (ESD) is offering Phoenix Tailings up to $3 million in performance-based tax credits through the Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program, contingent upon the company meeting its job creation commitments. The project is also expected to benefit from additional local and infrastructure incentives.

“Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State continues to partner with innovative, dynamic companies that want to invest, grow and create jobs,” noted Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight. “Phoenix Tailings’ commitment means that new high-tech jobs and advanced technologies will be coming to Eastman Business Park, supporting regional economic growth in the Finger Lakes and demonstrating the success of our strategic efforts.”

Additionally, the U.S. Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital has made a conditional commitment of $500 million in long-term loans to support the company’s rare earth separation operations, subject to final review and approval. The U.S. Department of Energy has also awarded Phoenix Tailings a $66 million grant as part of a $147.8 million project to demonstrate domestic production of heavy rare earth metals from waste materials.

“We are pleased that Phoenix Tailings found the right site, infrastructure, and skilled workforce to support its rare earth separation facility in the Greater Rochester, NY region,” said Greater Rochester Enterprise President Matt Hurbult. “GRE worked with Phoenix Tailings on every aspect of this project, from site selection and incentives to permitting and talent. We’ll continue to support the company’s leadership team as they expand their operations in the Greater Rochester, NY, region.”

Phoenix Tailings specializes in the recovery, separation and production of rare earth metals from mining waste and other industrial materials using environmentally focused processing technologies. The company produces materials used in permanent magnets, electric vehicles, electronics, aerospace, defense systems and advanced manufacturing applications.

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