MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, Ark. (March 11, 2024) – Hybar Steel has joined the “Work Here. Live Here.” (WHLH) housing incentive program in Mississippi County as an industry partner. With an investment of $500,000 to help its employees purchase homes in the county, Hybar becomes the 15th employer to participate in WHLH. Since the program launched in 2023, it has generated $36.1 million in new home value and facilitated 122 home purchases.

WHLH was created to strengthen Mississippi County’s workforce by making homeownership more accessible for employees of participating companies. Overseen by the Grow Mississippi County Community Foundation, WHLH is a cooperative partnership between the foundation, participating industries and several Mississippi County financial institutions. ​Funded by the participating industries, the program offers up to $50,000 toward the cost of a new home and up to $25,000 toward an existing home. 

“The program takes us one step further in terms of attractive benefits at Hybar,” said David Stickler, CEO of Hybar. “We pay great wages, have a robust healthcare program, a bonus for perfect attendance, a partnership with Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC) and, now, housing incentives through ‘Work Here. Live Here.’”

Hybar is nearing completion of its state-of-the-art steel rebar mill in Osceola, which is designed to be powered by 100% renewable energy, making it the most environmentally sustainable facility of its kind. Expected to begin production in May of this year, the steel mill is joined by Hybar’s adjacent solar field and its port facility on the Mississippi River, which, according to Stickler, could one day become the largest port between New Orleans and St. Louis. 

The company currently employs more than 100 people, with plans to expand to 200 direct employees and 50-60 indirect workers. While recognized for its competitive pay — aiming to have the highest-paid steel workers in the world — Hybar’s career opportunities and benefits also extend to employees in human resources, marketing, IT, logistics and more.

“We’re very pleased that Hybar has joined the growing number of companies who have contributed to the Grow Mississippi County Community Foundation and embraced the WHLH program,” said Clif Chitwood, president of Mississippi County Economic Development. “Their participation will help us continue to attract and retain the high-quality employees necessary to fill the increasing number of excellent jobs here in the county.”

WHLH has already made a measurable impact in Mississippi County, with 38% of homeowners in the program moving in from outside the county and 60% being first-time homebuyers. WHLH continues to expand its reach beyond the steel industry as participation from companies across manufacturing, logistics and other key sectors continues to grow. 

“Arkansas is a great place to do business, and Mississippi County, in particular, is a great place to do steel business,” said Stickler. 

For more information about “Work Here. Live Here.”, visit workhereliveherear.com.

About Hybar: Hybar Steel is a steel manufacturer based in Osceola, Ark., focused on producing high-quality rebar using renewable energy. The company is developing a modern steel mill in Mississippi County designed for efficiency and environmental sustainability. With access to the Mississippi River and other key transportation routes, Hybar is positioned to serve customers across various markets. Learn more at hybarsteel.com.

About “Work Here. Live Here.”: “Work Here. Live Here.” (WHLH) is a pioneering housing incentive and relocation initiative designed to attract and retain workers within Mississippi County, particularly those in the manufacturing sector. Launched two years ago, the program has successfully facilitated the sale of over 120 homes, contributing to $36.1 million in new home construction across Mississippi County. WHLH currently partners with 15 employers. Employees of those 15 businesses are eligible to receive up to $50,000 toward the cost of a new home or up to $25,000 for an existing home, making first-time homeownership a reality for 60% of participants.

Overseen by the Grow Mississippi County Community Foundation, Work Here. Live Here. is a cooperative partnership between the foundation, cooperating industries, and cooperating Mississippi County financial institutions. The cooperative industries invest in the program to incentivize their employees to build new homes or purchase existing homes in Mississippi County. The program is funded by the cooperating industries in the Work Here. Live Here. Program.

# # #