Hybar Steel Invests $500K in Mississippi County’s Housing Incentive Program

Hybar, currently under construction on a 1,300-acre site in Osceola, will be one of the most environmentally sustainable steelmaking facilities in the world. (Karen E. Segrave)

Hybar Steel has joined the “Work Here. Live Here.” 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 became the 15th employer to participate in WHLH.

The program offers up to $50,000 toward the cost of a new home and up to $25,000 toward an existing home. Since the program launched in 2023, it has generated $36.1 million in new home value and facilitated 122 home purchases, according to a news release announcing Hybar’s investment.

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. The company currently employs more than 100 people, with plans to expand to 200 direct employees and 50-60 indirect workers. Along with steel workers, Hybar’s career opportunities also extend to employees in human resources, marketing, IT and logistics.

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.

WHLH aims 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.

“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,” Clif Chitwood, president of Mississippi County Economic Development, said in the release. “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.”

The release stated that 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 is also expanding its reach beyond the steel industry as participation from companies across manufacturing, logistics and other key sectors grows.

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