State's senior U.S. senator visits Sumter's newest industrial employer, eVAC

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., visited Sumter's newest industrial employer, eVAC Magnetics, in Pocotaligo Industrial Park off U.S. 521 and near Continental Tire on Tuesday afternoon. The facility is scheduled to be operational by the end of this year, according to eVAC Operations Manager Travis Norton, and will have about 100 employees by year's end. When fully operational, eVAC will have 300 employees.

The manufacturer will produce rare-earth permanent magnets for electric vehicles.

In his visit, Graham discussed the importance of rare-earth permanent magnets to national defense and the state's economy while also impacting job growth in Sumter.

The eVAC Magnetics announcement for 300 new jobs and $506 million in capital investment was in December 2023.