Vulcan Elements has announced plans to construct a $1 billion rare earth magnet manufacturing facility in Benson, North Carolina, marking a major step in the United States’ effort to onshore critical supply chains. The new facility, part of the company’s $1.4 billion partnership with the U.S. government, will expand Vulcan Elements’ production capacity to 10,000 metric tonnes of rare earth magnets and create 1,000 new American jobs, strengthening both the domestic industrial base and national security.
“North Carolina is a natural home for Vulcan Elements’ next stage,” said John Maslin, CEO of Vulcan Elements. “We need world-class talent, innovation, and infrastructure to secure one of the 21st century’s most critical supply chains. North Carolina has proven it has all three. As we create 1,000 new American jobs, we will tap into engineers, technicians, and military veterans who have experience managing complex supply chains, operating heavy machinery, and serving the country.”
Vulcan Elements conducted an extensive multistate site search over the past year, evaluating potential locations based on production capacity, size, energy access, transportation logistics, and workforce availability. Benson distinguished itself due to its proximity to numerous universities, community colleges, workforce training centers, and advanced manufacturing facilities, as well as the nearby Fort Bragg, which provides a pool of highly skilled veterans. This combination of infrastructure and talent ensures the facility can meet ambitious production targets while cultivating an industry-leading workforce.
The facility will work closely with North Carolina educational institutions, including Johnston Community College and its Advanced Manufacturing Training Facility, to provide training and career pathways for engineers, technicians, and production staff. By integrating workforce development into the facility’s operations, Vulcan Elements aims to strengthen regional economic resilience and build a domestic supply chain that is less dependent on foreign sources for rare earth magnets—a critical component in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, defense applications, and high-tech electronics.
The announcement builds on Vulcan Elements’ strategic partnership with the U.S. government and upstream supplier ReElement Technologies to establish a fully vertically integrated domestic magnet supply chain. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick noted that the investment “will accelerate U.S. production of rare earth magnets for American manufacturers. We are laser-focused on bringing critical mineral and rare earth manufacturing back home, ensuring America’s supply chain is strong, secure, and reliable.”
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein hailed the selection, highlighting the state’s growing role as an innovation and manufacturing hub. “The confidence Vulcan Elements has shown in expanding to Johnston County proves that North Carolina has the right assets to support cutting-edge manufacturing. With semiconductors, batteries, and now rare earth magnets, the state is building the foundation for next-generation technologies that will drive the economy of the future,” Stein said.
U.S. Senator Ted Budd, a key supporter of the initiative, emphasized the strategic and economic importance: “Vulcan’s $1 billion investment will bring the largest rare earth magnet factory outside China to Johnston County, creating 1,000 well-paying jobs. By decoupling from China, Vulcan is strengthening America’s manufacturing base, producing essential components for emerging technologies, and boosting national security.”
Vulcan Elements’ facility in Benson represents a significant milestone in the broader U.S. strategy to onshore critical materials and components, reducing reliance on overseas suppliers and positioning the country as a global leader in next-generation manufacturing. The combination of government partnership, workforce development, and advanced manufacturing capabilities underscores the facility’s role as a cornerstone in America’s domestic industrial and technological resurgence.
With construction underway, the Benson site is expected to contribute significantly to local employment, regional economic growth, and the broader goal of securing a resilient, domestic supply chain for rare earth magnets—a crucial resource for 21st-century technologies spanning renewable energy, defense, electric mobility, and advanced electronics.
