The U.S. subsidiary of a Korea-based manufacturer will invest $223 million to build a rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing plant in Columbus, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Wednesday.
The JS Link America project will create more than 520 jobs in Muscogee County.
“JS Link America strengthens Georgia’s role in securing the U.S. supply chain in industries such as aerospace, mobility, and energy,” Kemp said.
JS Link, founded in 2000, is a Korean biotechnology company specializing in research and development. Permanent magnets are a critical component in a variety of industries, including automobiles, wind turbines, elevators, home appliances, robotics, and consumer electronics.
“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,” said Jun Y. Lee, JS Link America’s CEO. “This new chain will cover the entire process, from the procurement of essential rare-earth materials to the final manufacturing of the magnets.”
The Columbus plant will occupy 130,000 square feet, with a projected annual production capacity of 3,000 tons. Operations are expected to begin in late 2027.
The company will be filling positions in engineering, production, construction, administration, and management. Interested individuals can learn more about JS Link America at en.jslink.co.kr.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Global Commerce team worked on the project in partnership with the Development Authority of Columbus, Georgia Power, and the Technical College System of Georgia’s Quick Start program.
Dave Williams | Capitol Beat News Service
Dave Williams is the Bureau Chief for Capitol Beat News Service. He is a veteran reporter who has reported on Georgia state government and politics since 1999. Before that, he covered Georgia’s congressional delegation in Washington, D.C.
