JS Link America Inc., a subsidiary of Korean company JS Link, plans to invest approximately $223 million in a new rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing facility in Columbus, Georgia. The project is expected to create more than 520 jobs in Muscogee County.
Governor Brian Kemp commented on the announcement, stating, “JS Link America strengthens Georgia’s role in securing the U.S. supply chain in industries such as aerospace, mobility, and energy. We are excited for the continued growth of manufacturing in west Georgia, and congratulations to Columbus-Muscogee County for this opportunity.”
JS Link was founded in 2000 as a biotechnology company focused on research and development but has since expanded into permanent magnet production. These magnets are used across various sectors including automobiles, wind turbines, elevators, home appliances, medical equipment, robotics, Urban Air Mobility (UAM), data centers, consumer electronics, and defense systems. The company is nearing completion of a similar facility in Yesan, Korea.
Mr. Jun Y. Lee, CEO of JS Link America Inc., said: “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. Georgia’s universities with their engineering programs also provide ready-made labor force for JS Link America. 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. This new chain will cover the entire process, from the procurement of essential rare-earth materials to the final manufacturing of the magnets.”
The planned 130,000-square-foot facility will be located at Muscogee Technology Park and is projected to have an annual production capacity of 3,000 tons when operations begin in late 2027. The company will recruit staff for engineering, production, construction, administrative and management positions.
Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson said: “We are excited to welcome JS Link America to Columbus, Georgia. These high-quality career paths will not only benefit the workforce here in Columbus, but throughout the entire region. Columbus, through the Muscogee County School District, Columbus Technical College, and Columbus State University remains committed to preparing a workforce for today’s and tomorrow’s high-tech environment.”
Chairman Selvin Hollingsworth of the Development Authority of Columbus added: “On behalf of Choose Columbus and the economic development team we are proud to have JS Link join our corporate community. This location will have a large impact on our entire regional economy and we look forward to helping them establish and grow their U.S. presence in Columbus.”
Senior Project Manager Jacob Lee represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development Global Commerce team during this project alongside partners including the Development Authority of Columbus and Georgia Power.
GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson stated: “Permanent magnets are essential in everything from electric vehicles to jet engines and drones; developing this technology in the United States strengthens our national security and economic resilience. Our partnerships with Korea power innovation and opportunity. We are proud that JS Link America has chosen Georgia for its first U.S. manufacturing facility.”
JS Link is listed on KOSDAQ with divisions focusing on biotechnology and permanent magnets.
