by 
By Mark A. Leon
After years of strategic investment and modernization, Century Aluminum has reached a major milestone at its Mt. Holly aluminum smelter in Goose Creek, restoring the facility to 100% operating capacity and strengthening South Carolina’s role in America’s manufacturing resurgence.
The company invested $50 million to restart previously idled pot lines at the Berkeley County facility, an expansion that will create 150 new permanent jobs while increasing the plant’s workforce to more than 750 employees.
The project also delivers a significant boost to the nation’s industrial capacity. With the additional production coming online, Century Aluminum estimates the Mt. Holly expansion will increase overall U.S. domestic aluminum production by approximately 10%, reinforcing the country’s ability to manufacture a critical material used in aerospace, automotive, defense, construction, and consumer products.
Located in Goose Creek, the Mt. Holly smelter has long been one of South Carolina’s most important manufacturing assets. Aluminum produced at the facility is essential to supply chains that support everything from lightweight vehicles and military equipment to beverage packaging and infrastructure projects.
The investment comes at a time when domestic manufacturers are placing renewed emphasis on expanding U.S.-based production and reducing reliance on imported materials. By bringing previously idle production lines back into service rather than constructing a new facility, Century Aluminum was able to accelerate the expansion while creating high-paying manufacturing careers in the Lowcountry.
For Berkeley County, the announcement represents another major economic development victory. The addition of 150 permanent positions not only strengthens the region’s manufacturing workforce but also generates broader economic benefits for local businesses, suppliers, and service providers that support the plant’s operations.
Century Aluminum’s expansion underscores the continued momentum of South Carolina’s manufacturing sector, which has attracted billions of dollars in investment across automotive, aerospace, advanced materials, and industrial production. As one of the few remaining primary aluminum smelters in the United States, the Mt. Holly facility plays an increasingly strategic role in supporting domestic manufacturing and national supply chain resilience.
With the expansion complete and the smelter operating at full capacity, Century Aluminum is positioned to help meet growing demand for American-produced aluminum while providing hundreds of stable, skilled manufacturing jobs in the Charleston region for years to come.
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