South Korean magnet manufacturer JS Link America has announced plans to invest $233 million in a new rare earth magnet production facility in Columbia, Georgia.

According to a September 3 release from the company, the 130,000 square-foot plant will have an annual production capacity of 3,000 tons, and is expected to open sometime in late 2027. Located at the Muscogee Technology Park in Columbus, the facility will create an estimated 520 new jobs in Muscogee County.

“From day one, Georgia’s economic development team, local community leadership in Columbus, and Georgia Power all welcomed JS Link with a pro-business approach," JS Link CEO Jun Lee said. "JS Link plans to be a part of a value chain focused entirely on Western nations, to meet the growing demand for permanent magnets sourced from strategic allies such as Korea."

JS Link was founded in 2000 as a Korean biotechnology company specializing in research and development. The company has since grown its business to include the production of magnets used in cars, wind turbines, home appliances, medical equipment, data centers and consumer electronics. A magnet manufacturing facility similar to one planned for Columbus is also scheduled to open in Yesan, South Korea in September.