KEY POINTS
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EXIM greenlights a $10 billion loan to establish the U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve, ensuring stable access to essential raw materials for manufacturers.
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Collaboration in the public-private partnership includes major players such as Boeing, GE Vernova, and Clarios, as well as suppliers such as Trafigura and Mercuria.
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The initiative reduces reliance on foreign supply chains, strengthens domestic manufacturing, and aligns with U.S. economic and security goals.
EXIM Approves $10 Billion Loan for Project Vault
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) approved a $10 billion loan to launch Project Vault, a public-private partnership aimed at creating the U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve, it announced February 2, 2026.
The initiative from the official US import-export bank will secure essential raw materials for American manufacturers, ensuring supply chain stability during market disruptions, officials said.
Strengthening U.S. Manufacturing and Security
Project Vault aligns with national security objectives by reducing reliance on foreign-controlled supply chains. It supports domestic production and processing of critical minerals, bolstering the U.S. industrial base and creating jobs.
EXIM Chairman John Jovanovic said, “Project Vault is designed to support domestic manufacturers from supply shocks, support U.S. production and processing of critical raw materials, and strength [sic] America’s critical minerals sector.”
What It Means for Construction
In the construction industry, Project Vault ensures a steady supply of critical materials, such as metals and minerals, essential to infrastructure projects. By stabilizing access to these resources, the initiative helps mitigate supply chain disruptions, control costs, and support timely project completion, ultimately strengthening the sector’s resilience.
Manufacturing was among the top-performing categories of construction starts in 2025 by percentage change.
ConstructConnect Chief Economist Michael Guckes released a revised full-year chart of 2025 US Construction Starts for Select Subcategories this week. The data showed Manufacturing rose 84.2 percent in 2025, following the top performer, Private Offices (Including Data Centers), which rose 110.9 percent.
A chart shows the revised Full Year 2025 US Construction Starts for Select Subcategories from the Construction Economy Snapshot. Image: ConstructConnect
Officials from EXIM emphasized that the program is designed to support manufacturing in the United States, further bolstering domestic industries and creating opportunities for growth within the construction sector.
Industry Leaders Back the Initiative
Companies including Boeing, GE Vernova, and Clarios have expressed strong support for Project Vault. Suppliers like Traxys and Mercuria highlight its transformative impact on strategic sourcing and supply chain resilience.
What’s Next?
With Project Vault underway, EXIM will focus on implementing the U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve by collaborating with public and private partners. The next steps include finalizing facility locations, securing long-term supplier agreements, and ensuring the program delivers on its promise to stabilize supply chains and create jobs.
Updates on progress and additional partnerships are expected in the coming months.
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